For the love of Cebu and Sto. Niño

CEBU - Watching the different contingents perform during Sinulog Grand Parade brings everybody in awe on how dancers move and give life to the presentation. But many fail to realize that behind every contingent’s success is a choreographer.

He may not be as famous as other choreographers but Angelo “Angie” Manapsal’s accomplishments have said it all. He is the person behind the winning of several Sinulog contingents in the past eight years.

This year, he has choreographed the winning performances of Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School and the Municipality of Carmen.

Don Sergio romped off with the grand prize during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan the other week and grabbed the second place in the Sinulog-Based Category during the Grand Parade last Sunday.

On the other hand, the Municipality of Carmen bagged the third place in the Free Interpretation category and the Best in Costume award during the grand parade.

Aside from these, Manapsal also choreographed the presentation of the Cebu City Government contingent that was performed by some 60 street children during the opening and end of the festivity.

Manapsal, who also happens to be an employee of the Cebu City Hall assigned at the city’s budget office, has started to choreograph for the Sinulog in 2001 and won his first award. Since then, he has annually joined and produced winners every year.

Last year, he earned back-to-back triumphs in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and Lalawigan where both Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School and Carmen emerged as champions.

Coming from a family of dancers, Manapsal dedicates all his accomplishments to the Señor Sto.Niño.

He is a graduate of Commerce but he said that his passion has always been dancing.

When asked what should the public expect from the contingents he choreographed, he simply answered: “Depende lang gyud ug unsa ang pag-buot ni Sto. Niño.”

Manapsal enjoys being part of festival and sees it as one way of showing one’s love for the city.

“There is no other place like home gyud,” he said. He shared that most of his eight siblings are already out of the country but he prefers to remain in Cebu.

Manapsal said better relationship between family members and unity for everyone is the concept that he always wanted to put into his choreography that he started in last year’s Sinulog through Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School.

He aims to touch the hearts of the people watching through the dance he makes and wishes that through it, people could say the same thing he feels about his city which is, “I Love Cebu!” — AJ de la Torre, CIT Masscom Intern/WAB (THE FREEMAN)