Sinulog sa kabataan sa dakbayan: ANS 'three-peats'; Bulacao logs first

CEBU, Philippines - Abellana National School made it three-in-a-row in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan held yesterday before thousands of spectators at the Cebu City Sports Center.

ANS won the secondary division title for the third straight year and also bagged the best in costume award to win a total of P320,000.

In the elementary division, Bulacao Community School scored its maiden win in the annual event.

The rest of the top five for the Secondary Division were Apas National High School (second place), Barrio Luz National High School (third place), Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial Night High School (fourth place), and Ramon Duterte Memorial National High School (fifth place).

The winner of the best in musicality was Apas National High School.

The second to fifth placers in the Elementary Division were Punta Princesa Elementary School, Zapatera Elementary School, Cebu City Central School, and Mambaling Elementary School, respectively.

The best in costume in the elementary division was Zapatera Elementary School while the best in musicality was Labangon Bliss Elementary School.

Abellana National School’s winning performance features Cebu City’s annual Mass Wedding which, school’s choreographer Walter Betito said, the idea they used to depict the concept “Sr. Sto. Niño: Refuge of Filipino Christian Family.”

The girls were dressed in all-white with silver accent bridal gowns while the boys wore barongs that earned them the judges’ pick as their costume, props and execution complemented one another when they performed on stage.

Betito admitted at first that he got nervous when Apas National High School performed because of the crowd’s cheers on the latter but he said he remained confident because he believes that their concept is more relevant to the Sinulog.

Abellana had a total of 350 performers including the band and the props men.

Betito said though they struggled financially, the students and parents were very cooperative in attending the practices even if they cannot always provide snacks for them.

Abellana spent P800,000 to produce their winning piece. Betito said most of the funds were borrowed.

To pay for the students’ sacrifices, Betito promised them a perfect 100 grade in Physical Education class.

Prizes

Champions received trophies and P300,000 each while second to fifth placers received trophies and P150,000, P100,000, P75,000 and P50,000, respectively.

Special awardees received additional P20,000 each.

All 10 winners automatically qualified and are required to join the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 15.

Larry Gabao, chairman of the board of judges during yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan competition, praised Abellana National School’s choreography.

“The choreographer is creative enough for bringing into the concept how Sinulog can still be put in their production,” Gabao said, referring to the winning school’s mass wedding concept.

He claimed that the 100 dancers were really prepared and were evidently disciplined.

He further said that Abellana National School, who has been winning the competition for three consecutive years, performed better this year.

“They are always putting their best,” he said, adding that the dancers carried their costumes well during the entire dance. The school also bagged the best in costume award.

As of Bulacao Elementary School, who emerged as champion in the elementary division, Gabao said the school’s very nice costume apparently inspired the kids to dance so well.

“It’s because of their exposure and they got the discipline on stage,” he said.

Gabao said the rest of the contenders who did not win in the contest also did well but just fell short on one of the elements of a dance.

“The production, props, costume, and the movement should complement well. That is very important,” he said.

Nevertheless, Gabao said all the Sinulog dancers have improved and performed better through the years. —/NLQ (FREEMAN)