Sinulog Festival

CEBU CITY, Philippines - It was a glorious comeback for Tangub City, Misamis Occidental Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe, which bagged the grand prize in the Sinulog-based (SB) category in Sunday’s Sinulog Grand Parade.

Sinanduloy, which finished second last year, also won in the street dancing competition.

Another out-of-town contingent grabbed the top prize in the Sinulog Free Interpretation category: first timer Tribu Buyuganon of Abuyog town, Leyte.

The 2009 Sinulog Grand Parade went smoothly despite a brief rainshower that forced three contingents to dance on the rubber oval track.

Except for a near-stampede near the Fuente Osmeña Rotunda, no trouble was reported during the parade which started past 9 a.m. and ended with a grand finale on stage which finished at 7:20 p.m.

Police officials estimated 2.3 to 2.8 million people filled the city streets.

“I have to say that I am very, very happy with the way things turned out,” said acting Mayor Michael Rama, overall Sinulog 2009 chairman.

Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director, said the production numbers were flawless. He vowed a grander event in 2010 when the Sinulog celebrates its 30th anniversary.

The 15,000-capacity Cebu City Sports Center was jampacked. The number went up to at least 20,000 when the gates opened and non-ticketholder spectators were allowed to enter to watch a live video message of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña greeting Cebuanos from Texas as well as the grand finale featuring Miss Earth Karla Paula Henry.

The “refreshing presentation” of Tangub's Sinanduloy stood out and impressed the judges.

“For all other winners, there is an element of uniformity — the idea, production. Sinanduloy offered something new. All the necessary production elements were there, choreography, performance, costume,” said Josephina Guillen, chairperson of the board of judges in the SB category.

Last year, Sinanduloy was second to Siloy Festival of Alcoy town after the judges noticed that Tangub lacked genuine veneration.

But this year, Sinanduloy's performance depicted the rich Filipino heritage as influenced by the Spaniards. The dancers wore traditional Maria Clara gowns. Props included flower-decked boats and two horse-drawn carriages.

Guillen, president of the Philippine Folklore Society, said total production quality including mastery, production, discipline and even, musicality made it for Sinanduloy.

Sinanduloy also won first prize in the street dancing competition.

“There is oneness. Everybody is very, very good and if you look at them, they are one,” said Lordinio Vergara, chairman of the board of judges for street dancing.

It was a sweet victory for Tangub, a crowd favorite, who promised to make a “comeback” this year after placing second last year.

Tangub now has eight championship trophies since it first joined the Sinulog in 1994.

Guillen said it was a close fight between Sinanduloy and Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School, which showcased the Filipino value of close family ties.

Third place in the SB category was Silaw Culture and Arts of Carcar City, which had a Balay sa Tisa as backdrop and a sleeping Sto. Niño.

SB category crowd favorite, Siloy festival of Alcoy, fell three spots lower this year to finish fourth place.

“It was a crowd-drawer and also not like the other but choreography did not reach the level that we wanted. The children did very well,” said Guillen.

Fifth place went to the Pakol Festival of Sta. Catalina in Negros Oriental.

Other winners in the street-dancing category are Lumad Basakanon (second), Municipality of Carmen (third), Tribu Buyuganon (fourth) and Siloy festival of Alcoy (fifth).

In the Free Interpretation category, first-timers Tribu Buyuganon of Abuyog won the top prize and dislodged defending champion Lumad Basakanon of Cebu City to second place.

“We found the whole presentation exciting. It also engaged the audience with the way they performed. The performance engaged us. We were with them,” said Jardin, Cultural Center of the Philippines president.

Buyuganon's performance depicted the siesta routine of bees. One of two children portrayed being bitten by bees after disturbing a beehive. The Holy Child came and rescued the child from the brink of death.

The dancers imitated the movements of bees, which amused the audience.

Although the judges credit Basakanon for precise movements, he said, the group must rethink its style and make it more vibrant.

“We were looking for more from Basakanon. Over the last three years, nothing much has changed in their presentation,” he said.

Aside from the performances of the contingents, the crowd also looked forward to the grand finale.

The contingents of the Cebu city and provincial governments opened the parade in the morning and had a last dance at the grandstand 44after opening the grand parade in the morning.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in a blue grown and feathered headdress, led the province's contingent that featured the Tostado Festival of Santander town.

Councilor Lea Japson led the city contingent featuring the children from the Task Force on Street Children.

Before the finale number, Mayor Osmeña delivered a message through a web screening at 7:20 p.m.

People cheered upon seeing the mayor on the wide screen that was installed at the grandstand stage. Beside him was wife Margot Osmeña. The mayor earlier held a teleconference with reporters in the morning.

He said it was the first time in 20 years that he missed the Sinulog. But he said he was happy that many “unsung heroes” like the barangay (village) captains helped to make it successful.

He said he wanted the Sinulog to bring together people and make them forward looking especially amid the global financial crisis.

Osmeña also announced that the city government earned a surplus of P250.7 million in 2008, which would allow the release of P2,000 subsidy for the senior citizens in the city. The senior citizens would receive P1,000 in birthday gifts and another P1,000 as Christmas gifts.

Those who are registered in the city and had voted last elections would be prioritized, he added.

The grand finale, which carried a Polynesian theme, followed the mayor’s message.

The 15-minute production kicked off with Ms Earth Karla Paula Henry on board a “Balsa” floating on a stretch of about 10 meters toward the other side of the grandstand stage.

Hawaiian dancers included Cutie del Mar and wives of some city officials. Henry joined them for a Sinulog dance that was followed by an 8-minute fireworks display.

Del Mar was said to be running for north district representative as her father, Deputy Speaker for the Visayas Raul del Mar was on his third and last term. /with reports from Reporter Marian Codilla and Correspondent Chris Ligan