Gwen lauds dancers for performing even after bad stomach

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia lauded the dancers of Toledo City who, despite suffering from stomachache for possible food poisoning, repeated their winning performance during last Monday’s awarding of winners of the 2011 Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival.

The dancers, mostly high school students, performed again last Monday night at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC). Many of them suffered from stomachache after taking their breakfast.

“In spite of what they went through, they really gave an excellent, world class performance last Friday and last night,” Garcia said.

Garcia described the incident as a “logistical nightmare” that should be investigated.

“But more than that, I think what should also be emphasized here is our children displayed such an admirable resiliency and that’s the true spirit of Cebuano,” the governor said.

“Bisan unsa pa na kalisdanan ang atubangon, kung duna ma’y kinahanglan nilang buhaton, if duna silay responsibilidad na kinahanglan tumanonon labi na kay kini mahitungod na sa garbo sa ilang kaugalingong dakbayan sa Toledo, ila gihapong gipadaplin unsa may discomfort, unsa may sakit na ilang gipaminaw to give that world class performance,” Garcia added.

Health officials said earlier at least 110 dancers who took part in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival suffered from stomachache right after breakfast. About 80 of them suffered from diarrhea and had to be treated by a medical team stationed at CICC.

For breakfast, they were served a packed meal of hot dog, egg and rice from a fast food chain. They later complained of stomachache but most of them gradually recovered in the afternoon.

Garcia said she witnessed a positive change in all contingents that participate in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival every year.

“I told them, sa tanan participating contingents, for me you are all winners. I felt the enthusiasm, the drive, great spirit of the Cebuanos,” she said.

Meanwhile, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado said she will provide insurance to the members of the town’s dancing contingent, the Sarok Festival, and those responsible for the group’s success in this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

The town’s contingent placed fifth in this year’s Pasigarbo from last year’s sixth place, something that Alegado described as a big success.

“Kaniadto naa ra kita sa ika unom nga dapit, karon naa nasad ta sa ikalima nga dapit, dako na kaayo ni natong performance,” Alegado said.

Considering that the municipal government had appropriated a budget for the festival, Alegado said they decided to utilize the financial assistance from SM Mall in coming up with a group insurance. She said initial discussions have been undertaken with the insurance company that promised to support the town in implementing the program.

“Para nako, usa ni sa makatabang sa atong mga estudyante ug tanang mitabang sa kalampusan sa Sarok Festival sa kadaugan sa Pasigarbo sa Sugbo,” Alegado said.

Aside from landing fifth, the Sarok Festival of Consolacion was also adjudged “Best in Andas” and belonged to the top three “Best Decorated AudioVan.”

This year, the Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City was adjudged Grand Prize winner while last year’s winner, the Palawod Festival of Bantayan, landed in seventh place. – (FREEMAN)