Chief judge pushes reforms in performances

The chief judge of the Sinulog Based Category in the Sinulog Mardi Gras said there is a need to implement reforms in the religious aspect of the performances of the contingents.

In a talk with reporters, Dr. Larry Gabao said that while the choreography and execution have improved through the years, the veneration to the Sto. Niño has slowly disappeared in the performances. His fellow judges also reportedly shared this sentiment.

"Hindi na namin nakikita that the Sto. Niño is being adored...parang prop nalang siya," Gabao said.

Citing experience, Gabao said performances before were so intense that the way dancers venerate the Sto. Niño was very much apparent in their faces, so much so that even the audience can notice.

Gabao also commented that "costuming" is an aspect in the Sinulog Mardi Gras that organizers should "revisit". Judges have observed that one lead dancer seemingly went off the board with the exceptionally high slit in her costume. It is the lead dancer that carries the image of the Holy Child during the performance.

Gabao suggested that Sinulog organizers should consider giving a workshop to participating contingents, especially their choreographers and costume designers, on how to dress the dancers. "Is the costume appropriate? Was it used properly? This is something that needs to be revisited."

He said that while the dancers might have internalized the story line of their performance, this was not manifested in the actual performance itself, something that needs to be revisited.

But Gabao said he was glad that there is "less copying" in terms of choreography and dance steps in this year's performances. Likewise, the judges also observed that choreographers are getting more creative and "advanced" with their ideas.

A notable contingent, Gabao said, was Lumad Basakanon of barangay Basak San Nicolas that got a unanimous vote from the judges as winner in the Free Interpretation Category. Gabao said there was a significant improvement in the way the group performed the other day compared to their performance in the Aliwan Festival, in which Gabao was one of the judges.

He also described the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe, the winner in the Sinulog Based Category, as having "almost perfect performance and choreography."

Gabao, the Presidential Assistant for Dance of the Philippine Normal University, also emphasized that the dancers' execution should also be given adequate focus, as the choreography would only go down the drain if it is not being executed well.

Robert Gonzales, costume designer and trainer of the Sinanduloy Dance Troupe, said they really gave attention to the tiniest details like how a dancer executes a particular hand movement.

Meanwhile, Dennis Navarro, choreographer of the Lumad Basakanon, said coming up with their dance steps was a concerted effort by the trainers and dancers themselves, adding that they also encouraged the dancers to introduce new dance steps.

The two contingents won P500,000 each for winning in their respective categories. -Joeberth M. Ocao/LPM