Realistic concept: Labangon wins Sinulog sa Barangay

CEBU, Philippines — A realistic concept showing unison of the family amid conflicts and misunderstandings captured the hearts of the judges for Barangay Labangon to reclaim the overall champion in this year’s Sinulog sa Barangay.

After last year’s upset, Banay Labangon yesterday snatched the best in ritual showdown, best in street dancing, and second in musicality. The Labangon contingent headed by choreographer Angelo Manapsal took home a total of P430,000 cash prizes---P350,000 for the ritual showdown, P50,000 for street dancing,  and P30,000 for musicality. Manapsal also won for himself P30,000.

Manapsal said the concept was based on his personal life experience. He said the concept shows how Cebuanos reconcile after every conflict.

The winning performance started with a dramatization of a family fighting in the middle of a gathering resulting in heart attack of the father.

The conflict was immediately resolved with the members of the family reconciled through the intercession of Señor Santo Niño.

“Reality gyud na siya, inspired na sa akong family. During sa amoang family reunion nahitabo man gud na siya, sa akong mga igsuon naa sila’y conflict (that is a reality inspired from my own family. It happened during our family reunion wherein my siblings had a conflict),” Manapsal said.

It was not the first time Manapsal won the overall champion. Labangon was the first champion when the Sinulog sa Barangay started in 2017. He has been the choreographer of Barangay Labangon since 2001.

“Pasalamat ko ni Sto. Niño sa kadaugan kay actually kung unsay ihatag sa ginoo dawaton namo, ana ra gyud (I thanked Santo Niño for the win, we are actually prepared to accept whatever God will give us),” he said.

Manapsal said they have started practicing their dance routine in November last year. He said it was a challenge for him to get all his dangers to practice every day because some have prior commitments. Banay Labangon was composed of 92 dancers and almost 200 props men.

They will be competing again for the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.

Manapsal said the public can expect a slight modification of their performance during the grand parade, especially on the props.

“Naa lay slight changes sa amoang props, then sa choreography, okay na siya. So mo-add-on mi sa props kay kulang pato siya,” Manapsal said.

Rodel Fronda, chairman of the board of judges, said Banay Labangon stands out because of their simple concept and clear transition.

“Very clear ang concept, simple siya. Tapos yung story telling ang clear lang,” he said.

Another judge, Eliseo Manlangit, described Labangon’s performance as outstanding because of its unique formation.

“Definitely, they have a very clean and choreography transition from one figure to another,” he said.

Banauan Cultural Group of Barangay Guadalupe finished second, followed by Pundok Day-asanon (3rd), Pundok Cogonanon (4th), Lumad Basakanon (5th), Inayawan Talent’s Guild Cultural Dance Troupe (6th), and Tribu Mabolokon (7th).

Lumad Basakanon also won best in musicality and best in costume. They took home an additional P100,000 on top of the P150,000 prize for winning fifth in the ritual showdown. The second placer received P300,000, third (P250,000), and fourth (P200,000).

In the street dancing category, San Nicolas Proper won second place while Tribu Mabolokon finished third.

Manlangit said the contingents have to work out on the proper utilization of props, right choice of colors and their performance.

He said the choreographers have to come up with something new in the dance routines or concept in order to get their attention and the viewers’.

“It (props) did not actually match of their costume. It is the overall appeal, the color scheme, may magandang costume pero ang color scheme iba,” Manlangit said.

There were 13 barangays in Cebu City that joined this year’s competition--- Sapangdaku, San Nicolas Proper, Mambaling, Talamban, Basak San Nicolas, Mabolo, Suba, Sawang Calero, Cogon, Inayawan, Labangon, Guadalupe, and Day-as.

Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña considered the performances of the contingents yesterday as the most spectacular in the history of Sinulog sa Barangay.

“Again, congratulations sa atoang mga participants, ako nakita it is a very close competition, but I am sure the one that who is happiest today is Santo Niño,” he said.

The mayor commended the Barangay Environmental Officers (BEOs) for maintaining the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) clean.— With Isabella G. Obor (FREEMAN)