Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan: Carcar, Talisay post huge wins

CEBU, Philippines - The Carcar Schools Division and San Roque Elementary School of Talisay City were the grand champions of yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan for the secondary and elementary categories, respectively.

They bested other contingents before more than 10,000 spectators at the Cebu City Sports Center.

The others composing the top five in the elementary category are Pajo Elementary School of Lapu-lapu City (second place), Karansang Danawanon – Cambanay Elementary School of Danao City (third place), DepEd Cordova District (fourth place) and Basak Elementary School of Mandaue City (fifth place).

The contingent adjudged with the best in costume is Pajo Elementary School while the best in musicality special award went to San Roque Elementary School.

In the secondary category, the rest in the top five was made up of Sabang National High School – Division of Danao City (second place), Pooc National High School – Talisay City Division (third place), Mandawehanong Kaliwat – Tipolo National High School in Mandaue City (fourth place) and Toledo National Vocational High School (fifth place).

The best in costume award was won by Sabang National High School while the best in musicality went to Mandawehanong Kaliwat.

All top five winners in each category shall compete with other contingents during the grand parade on January 16.

Dr. Larry Gabao, chairman of the board of judges and President of the Philippine Folk Dance Society, said that this year Carcar showed a huge improvement in terms of dancing and the preparation of props.

“The whole production is very well-prepared. Their movements are well-defined,” Gabao said.

However, the folk dance expert opined that the color of their costumes, a combination of faded gold and maroon, was too dark for the concept.

Carcar’s concept is a royal Banquet which may be traced back as an event in royal houses during the Spanish Period. Carcar is known for its old historical houses and other structures built during this era.

Carcar City started practicing last month. There were 96 dancers and 50 propsmen from four different high schools in Carcar City. They were noticed for the fluidity of the dancers’ hand movements which they been practicing since June.

Carcar was second last year and champion in 2008, they have been joining the Sinulog for five years already.

Gabao said that he would also advice choreographer Kathryn Estenzo to emphasize more on the importance of the Sto. Niño throughout the whole presentation.

“The element of Sto. Niño was not a highlight. In their performance, Sto. Niño was just a prop. On January 16, I expect something that will highlight the Sto. Niño because Sinulog is about praising Sto. Niño,” Gabao said.

Gabao will still be the chairman of the board of judges on January 16. He has been judging Sinulog performances for about 20 years now.

When asked about any room for improvement for the elementary winners, Gabao could only say “Marami pa silang kakainin.”

Gabao hopes that the remaining days before the grand parade will be enough for the winners to prepare to further improve.

Prizes

Winners received cash and trophies from the Sinulog Foundation Inc. in partnership with the Cebu City government.

The champions received P150,000 each while the second placer to the fifth placer received P100,000, P75,000, P50,000 and P25,000 respectively.

The special awardees were given P20,000 each.

SFI Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said that he already suggested to Mayor Michael Rama to increase the prizes next year for the winners to compensate the efforts of the choreographers and the schools who went out of their way to join the festival.

He said the prizes have been the same for more than 10 years already and since the prices of everything have gone up, it is time to move with the present times.

“Why not? We will take it into consideration,” Rama said.

The city sponsored this year’s prizes which totals to P12 million. This is included in the annual budget. 

Grander than last year

Ballesteros said that the performers have improved a lot over the years in terms of choreography, projection and overall concept of the performance, among others.

“Ang among dance workshops every year na-materialize gyud,” Balesteros said.

Each contingent were given P50,000 in subsidy and free transportation.

On January 16, they expect at least 50 contingents including out-of-town participants to dance during the grand parade.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan was attended by Rama and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia as well as DepEd officials.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan today will have the same number of participants – eight schools to compete in the elementary division and 10 in the secondary division. — /BRP (FREEMAN NEWS)