“Best” Sinulog but it can still improve according to judges

CEBU, Philippines - This year's Sinulog was "the best," but judges said there are rooms for improvement, including the need to draw inspiration from our roots and traditions instead of from foreign concepts.

Nestor Jardin, head judge for the free interpretation (FI) category, said the choreographic movements nowadays are mere copies of one another.

 "I would like to suggest to choreographers to explore the local dance movements and choreographic patterns because they're limitless.  This will ensure variety in the choreography," said Nestor Jardin.

"Choreographers, go back to our rich Philippine tradition of folk tales, legends and folk beliefs there's no need to go foreign in inspiration," he said.

Josefina Guillen, chairman of the Sinulog-based category's judges, said choreographers must do research to base their whole production; maximize all sets and props; try new ideas in terms of themes; and focus on the scene and message.

These, she said, would "ensure a whole and unified production using local traditional culture."

Lordino Vergara, head of the street dancing panel of judges, also said choreographers should rethink their directions on integrating entertainment value and production concept and design.

"Master how to use the streets and spaces, alamin ang stations, alamin ang angles, tingnan ang audience and judges nasa taas o baba ba. Try to dwell on the visual, audience appeals and movement para hindi linear and boring," he said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama called last Sunday's Sinulog grand parade as the "best and grandest" in decades.

Ricky Ballesteros, Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director, agreed saying it was "the best Sinulog because it was smooth, the weather is cooperative and perfect".

Yesterday, winners did an encore during the awarding ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).

Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City took first place in the FI category, street dancing category, and best in costume, winning a total cash prize of P2.1 million. Kulturang Placereño of the Province of Masbate bagged first place in the Sinulog-based category.

Lumad Basakanon made a comeback after years of defeat. Choreographer Norman Navarro said their production was based on a unique "nature versus nature" concept, which used the recent calamities and faith on the Holy Child as a strong foundation for the presentation.

Jardin said Lumad Basakanon finally brought back its "dynamism".

"Iba yung naging ataki nila, bumalik sila sa tradition, andun ang basic steps, arm movement, may meaning na. Sila yung may solid veneration to Sr. Sto Niño na wala sa ibang contingent," Jardin said.

"Lumad Basakanon had beautiful production design in terms of color palette, costumes, props that complimented the choreography," he added.

During the awarding ceremony, the grandstand was also filled with people, including local and foreign tourists, with SFI officials saying there were actually more people at the grandstand yesterday compared to last Sunday's grand parade.

For winning this year's Sinulog, Lumad Basakanon and Kulturang Placereño were invited to compete in the Aliwan Festival, dubbed as the "Grand festival of Champions", in Manila.

Rama, also a Basakanon, promised that he would help Lumad Basakanon join the Aliwan this April.

"The challenge is to be in Manila, I wish the (City) council would also be helping. I would be very willing personally to be of help to them. We will tap Pagcor and culture and arts," the mayor said.

Rama said Manila mayor and former Philippine president Joseph Ejercito Estrada was also willing to help Cebu. Estrada and Rama are both members of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA).

Lumad Basakanon was barred from receiving the P150,000 cash assistance allocated for the participating contingents of the grand parade, as it is a barangay-based contingent while the amount is only for school-based groups.

Lumad Basakanon's expenses only reached P800,000, which is lesser compared what other winning contingents spent.

Rama, though, said lack of fund does not mean defeat but should rather serve as inspiration to succeed.

"Ang wa kadawat naninguha nuon. Ang maninguha maoy makakuha, ang maningkamot maoy makakab-ot (Those that did not get any financial assistance would strive hard. Those that work hard would be rewarded)," he said.

He said the desire to join should be genuine and the effort to secure funding innovative, with the group willing enough to face all adversities.-/RHM (FREEMAN)