Palawod, Haladaya, Siloy festivals dominate Pasigarbo

The winners of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, which capped the week-long celebration of the Provincial Government’s 439th Founding Anniversary, did not come as a surprise.

This is because known festivals like the “Palawod Festival” of the Municipality of Bantayan, “Haladaya Festival” of the Municipality of Daanbantayan and “Siloy Festival” of the Municipality of Alcoy emerged as the top winners in the Pasigarbo that was held last Saturday night at the grounds of the Cebu International Convention Center.

Palawod received P1 million cash for winning as overall champion, Haladaya got P800,000 for winning second and another P500,000 for being awarded best in street dancing while Siloy took P700,000 cash for bagging the third prize in the grand showdown and another P200,000 for being the fourth placer in the street dancing.

The fourth place was won by the Ani-Anihan Festival of Tabuelan receiving P600,000; Banig Festival of Badian, P500,000; Santander’s Tostado Festival was sixth place, P400,000; Sinamay Festival of Carmen won the seventh place with P300,000 and the town of San Francisco’s Soli-Soli Festival landed at eighth place with P200,000.  

This is the first year for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival, which is known as the “Festival of Festivals” in Cebu Province.

Dolly Suzara, Sinulog Foundation Inc. project director, who was one of the judges of Pasigarbo, said the winners had an edge over the other 31 participating contestants because their festivals have already been established.

“Naa na sila’y festival ug nakapundo na gyud sila. Ilaha gyud na-develop,” Suzara told reporters before the formal announcing of the winners.

The Palawod, Haladaya and Siloy festivals have been joining the Sinulog festival in Cebu City where they have also reaped awards for their performances.

Suzara also said the festivals have given the local choreographers bigger opportunity to explore their talents.

However, the judges commented that a bigger space is needed in order for the performers to better execute their dances.

In the local dialect, “Palawod” means going out to the sea.  It also means an invitation to spiritual rebirth by remembering, appreciating and living the virtues of Bantayan’s patron saint, San Pedro.

The performers of Palawod also portrayed a trip out to sea to catch fish as they chanted “Tara na, magpalawod na kita.”

Bantayan Mayor Geralyn Escario would not say how much was spent on their expenses for the colorful and splashy costumes and props of mock fish, crabs, seahorses, and octopodes.

Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura also did not reveal how much they spent on their preparations and costume but some sources said the local government has shelled out more than a million just for their glittering costumes.  — Garry B. Lao/WAB