The Caballo de Compostela Street: Dance Festival

Timely is the newfound festival that stemmed from the roots of noble objectives of promoting culture and tourism through the arts, an extravagant display of the sentiments of the rural townsfolk united to proclaim one faith, one vision and one dance through one beat.

The Caballo de Compostela Street Dance Festival has come to full bloom way before the magic of an anniversary that will take place on July 25, 2006. Pioneered last year in honor of the town's Patron Señor Santiago de Apostol of Compostela, Spain, the fame of the Caballo Festival inflated during the second quarter of this year as it was given an opportunity for exposure during the May 12, 2006 Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbu - North, a project of the provincial government under the leadership of Governor Gwen Garcia, where key towns and city of northern Cebu were visited by local and foreign tourists.

Another opportunity came on May 28 as the endemic festival was invited for presentation during the Fiesta sa Sugbu, a convention of Cebuano festivals held at the SM City Cebu where seven other local festivals teamed up to portray the Best of Cebu.

Perhaps the big bang performance was that in Waterfront Lahug as Cebu Chamber of Commerce celebrated Cebu Business Month which commenced on June 21, 2006, where most, if not all, municipalities and cities of the province converged at the venue, tagging along a bandwagon of dancers, LGU personnel, props, booths, goods and services. Among the many invited, only a handful were allowed to perform a second stint for the Best (Festivals) of Cebu. The catch - only those who have festival jingles were allowed to perform. Of course, Caballo billed at the top as ASEAN Summit organizers feasted in an early ocular inspection for this year's December summit. Thus, the preview invitation for the big December event.

In retrospect, the vision that made the Caballo Festival a reality, not to mention the numerous feathers in its cap, had its share of hardships. Its vital role in tourism was regarded with skepticism and neglect, but its organizers have an uncanny way of pouncing back at those who doubted the project - nice smiles, better performance and an invitation for involvement. And, albeit financial limitations, the Caballo braved the odds.

The idea of having a religious-based festival far exceeds the thought of having an occupational festival that would only magnify a few constituents - not a major resource or sentiment of the town. Initially, it was Queso (Cheese) festival but was later rejected for the simple reason that people don't dance milking a carabao, much less cooking and the preparation of the queso. Later on, it may have evolved into something religious, where a patron bearer will dance carrying the icon - and the dancers, dancing the "milking of a carabao". Ridiculous. A Queso Festival may find its place under the sun but definitely in a non-dancing affair.

On the other hand, the Caballo de Compostela Street Dance Festival has roots deep in history and tradition, dating back to old Spain. In fact, Señor Santiago is the Patron Saint of Spain. The origin of how Jesus' loyal Apostle came to be portrayed as riding on a white horse is both legendary and symbolical to the Spaniards. The vast mystery on how the holy image of Señor Santiago came to our place is far more remarkable and noteworthy as we embrace our cultural and religious roots. To sum it all, the Caballo Festival is a blessing where all Compostelanhons unite with one voice and one attitude towards God. This is the very essence of the Caballo Festival - unity, strength, faith, and development. Where there is Caballo, there is hope, change and appreciation - a united cry in the pursuit of a better Compostela.

Now on its second year, the Caballo de Compostela Street Dance Festival promises to realize many dreams by fulfilling its very aim in adding another feather in its cap. As the festival moves forward, so does local tourism. No matter how intangible or prolonged the payback for such a strenuous activity the effects may have already been felt not only in Compostela's local economy but also in its deeply rooted appreciation in the hearts and spirits of the people.