Sinulog sa kabataan sa lalawigan: Talisay, Tuburan are big winners

CEBU, Philippines - Despite a few glitches, their fresh concepts and choreography propelled the contingents from Talisay City and the Municipality of Tuburan to victory in yesterday's Sinulog sa Lalawigan (province).

Talisay City won in the elementary category while Tuburan won in the secondary category.

Alden Lugnasen, chairman of the board of judges, said the winners met their criteria, particularly on concept, costume, props, and musicality.

The judges' decision, however, was not unanimous.

"Iba-iba kami ng results, ng champion. Kanya-kanya yan kung paano mo i-appreciate ang pyesa. Sa paggamit ng space, costume, props, musicality. Yan tinitingnan lahat. Yung nanalo decision na naming lahat yun," he said.

 The judges noted several lapses. Tuburan's performance, for example, lacked cohesiveness in the way it used its props.

 "Ang ganda-ganda ng set hindi nila ginamit. Parang dumaan lang. They presented well sa beginning but towards the end wala na hindi na konektado sa pyesa (ritual piece). Kung gagamit ka nag-set i-maximize mo kasama ng dancers dapat buong frame," Lugnasen said.

 Talisay City, on the other hand, needs extensive polishing.

 "Maraming dapat linisin. Daming palpak pag-reveal sa Sto. Niño. Daming sumabit. Dapat paglabas, boom! Element of surprise yun pero sumabit," Lugnasen said.

Still, he is confident that both groups will be able to tighten loose ends for the Grand Parade on January 15 and may even win against out of town contingents. 

"May chance sila. Kailangan lang linisin ang choreography at kailangan focus (on the scenes and message). Magagaling ang bata, promise," he said.

Talisay and Tuburan's win gave them an automatic slot in the Grand Parade. 

Prizes

As grand prize winner in the secondary category, Tuburan received P350,000. It also got P30,000 as second best in musicality; P50,000 for being best in costume, and another P30,000 for being best in street dancing.

 Carcar City Division placed second and received P200,000. It also got P50,000 for being best in musicality and P20,000 for being third best in street dancing.

 The towns of Asturias and Dumanjug each received P150,000 and P125,000 for placing third and fourth, respectively.

 In the elementary division, Talisay City Central School whose performance showcased choreographic transitions with a costume change was proclaimed winner in the ritual showdown with P350,000.

 It was also adjudged best in musicality, best in street dancing, and best in costume with a cash prize of P50,000 for each award.

 Danao Youth Cultural Troupe got P200,000 as second place winner and Tribu Ginatilan received P150,000 as third place winner.

 Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said all contingents adopted new concepts.

 "Gwapo kaayo and they were able to come up with new concepts. That's one thing that we've been looking for. It was a close competition between Carcar and Tuburan and even elementary schools. Very slim ang margin; naglisod gyod ang mga judges," he said.

 Copycat

 Lugnasen lamented that the choreographic movements of other contingents were just mere copies of other groups.

 "Halos parehos lang parang kopya lang," he said.

 He suggested to choreographers to explore other local dance movements and choreographic patterns to achieve variety in ritual showdown performances.

 Creativity in each contingent, he said, must also be improved, especially for next year's participating contingents from across the province.

 "Creativity is limitless. This will ensure variety in the choreography," he said.

Nine groups participated in yesterday's Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan 2017.

 Five contingents competed in the elementary level - Tribu Ginatilan, Department of Education-Danao Youth Cultural Troupe of Danao City, Tribu Sugbogo of Bogo City, Talisay City Central School and Naga Central School.

 Meanwhile, four contingents clashed in the high school division - Municipality of Asturias, Municapility of Tuburan, Carcar City Division, and Bitoon National Vocational High School (Dumanjug).

The number of contingents in the elementary category increased by two this year while the number of participants in the secondary category decreased by two.

Last year, the contingents from Asturias town (secondary category) and Danao City (elementary category) won the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.

 This year, Asturias only placed third while Danao ranked second. They won P150,000 and P200,000, respectively. 

 The grandstand was filled with people, including local and foreign tourists, with SFI officials saying there were actually more people at the grandstand yesterday compared to last year's contest.

 The Sinulog Festival, which culminates in the Grand Parade every third Sunday of January, is held in honor of the Sto. Niño. (FREEMAN)