Lapu-Lapu, Carcar Contingents triumph

Cebu - The Silaw Culture and Arts of Carcar City Central National High School and the Pajo Elementary School of Lapu-Lapu City won the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan held at the Cebu City Sports Center yesterday afternoon.

The two contingents also won the Best in Costume award.

The Silaw Culture and Arts dancers wowed the crowd with their synchronized and spontaneous movements, winning the secondary division.

With their orange costumes and props, the dancers from Pajo Elementary School portrayed bees and flowers during their performance, copping the first prize in the elementary division. 

March Manpal, choreographer of the Pajo Elementary School contingent, was surprised by the win, saying that they finally triumphed after six years of joining the Sinulog sa Kabataan.

Pajo also won the Best in Costume award for five consecutive years.

Manpal said they spent P133,500 for their costume with each of their 89 dancers contributing P1,500. “Wala man kaayo mi mogasto sa costume kay gipang-recycle ra man ni namo tanan.” 

Silaw Culture and Arts choreographer Catherine Estenzo said it was her first time to choreograph the Carcar City contingent. Estenzo also teaches the students when they are not rehearsing.

“We prepared for this competition for a month,” Estenzo said.

She said they did not fully enjoy the Christmas vacation because they rehearsed everyday for six hours. “The inspiration for the choreography and the costumes is the art of living during the Spanish era.”

There are 97 dancers dressed in Spanish-inspired costume designed by multi-awarded choreographer Val Sandiego.

Other winners in the elementary category were Kawayan Elementary School in Dalaguete, second; Pundok Tugbongan of Consolacion, third; and Bogo City Elementary School and Sogod Elementary School tied four fourth.

Winner in secondary divisions were Consolacion, second; Mandauehanong Kaliwat of Mandaue City, third; Tayud National High School of Liloan, fourth; and Guinsay National High School of Danao City, fifth.

Titong Palabrica, choreographer of Sogod contingent, said they only practiced their presentation for four days but were still able to participate because of the children’s determination.

“Goal gyud namo ma-sud sa top five,” Palabrica added.

Supportive teachers and parents walked with the children carrying water containers and handkerchiefs.

One parent who walked with the Tribu Malek contingent was Grace Villar, whose son Dale joined the competition for the first time.

“Ganahan man siya moapil ug wala man sad ni makaapektar sa schedule sa iyang klase, malingaw man siya so okay ra nako, support gyud,” Villar said.

A faculty member from the Bogo City Elementary School said it was their first time to join the competition.

The 18 elementary and secondary contingents from all over Cebu danced along Osmeña Boulevard from the Capitol to the CCSC where they danced their presentation. 

The grand prize winners took home P40,000 each while the second placers were P30,000 richer. Cash prizes for the third, fourth, and fifth placers were P20,000, P15,000, and P10,000, respectively. Best in Costume winners received P20,000.

Choreographers of the winning contingents received P5,000 for the first place and P4,000 for the second place.

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and Cebu City acting mayor Michael Rama, chairman of Sinulog Foundation Inc., presented the awards to the winners.

Sinulog Foundation executive director Ricky Ballesteros said the Siloy Festival of Alcoy did not join this year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan because its dancers were mixed with the elementary and high school continents, and that it is preparing for the Sinulog grand parade on January 18.

Ballesteros said the top five winners of each division will automatically qualify for the Sinulog grand parade, adding that they will choose which category they want to join — Sinulog-based or free interpretation. — /LPM  (THE FREEMAN)