Cebu City willing to help Lumad Basakanon join Aliwan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is willing to assist community-based Sinulog contingent Lumad Basakanon, headed by his cousin Basak-San Nicolas barangay captain George Rama, in their plan to join the Aliwan Fiesta this April.

Lumad Basakanon won second place in the Free Interpretation Category of the recently concluded Sinulog Grand Parade.

Barangay captain Rama said they plan to participate in this April’s Aliwan.  They earlier grand slammed the same festival in 2006, 2007 and 2008, not 2005 to 2007 as earlier reported.

He said they will need around P1.3 million to send over 200 dancers and propsmen to Manila where the Aliwan Fiesta is held yearly.

Aliwan Fiesta is open to different festivals from across the country.

Lumad Basakanon will be representing Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival held every third Sunday of January.

Mayor Rama said he will help Basakanon tap private entities for sponsorship.  He said he will also discuss the matter with the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

The mayor also said that the city government may also provide assistance subject to the approval of the city council.

Lumad Basakanon wants to win the Aliwan Fiesta again this year.

During the Sinulog Grand Parade they only placed second to the champion in the Free Interpretation Category, Tribu Lingganay of Alang-alang Leyte.

In the Aliwan Fiesta, they have to beat the defending champion Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival which also grand slammed in the Aliwan Fiesta last year.

Tribu Lingganay of Alang-alang, Leyte only placed third in the Aliwan last year.

Lumad Basakanon is already a Hall of Famer in the Aliwan Fiesta, but due to the new policy where a group has to win five times, not necessarily consecutively, before they can be elevated to the Hall of fame, they were given the go signal to participate again.

In 2009 after their third win, they were barred from joining since they had been elevated to the Hall of Fame prior to the new policy.

While they were only second in this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, they won the best in musicality and best in costume awards.  –(FREEMAN)