Dancing Sinulog helps out-of-school youths

CEBU, Philippines - Proving that their participation in the Sinulog Grand Parade is more than just the competition, the Lumad Basakanon promises to present a good show this year to give back to Cebu and to the Señor Sto. Niño the blessings they received for the past 25 years.

Cebu City’s pride, the Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas says that the Sinulog has changed the lives of hundreds of out-of-school youth.

The contingent’s choreographer and Barangay Basak San Nicolas councilman Norman Navarro said the involvement of these youths in the Sinulog has helped them stay away from illegal activities.

The contingent has 100 dancers and 130 props men who are mostly out-of-school youths.

“Helping the youth has been our purpose and goal for 25 years of joining the Sinulog, aside from the fact that it’s our way of showing our devotion to Sr. Sto Niño,” he said.

Also, the Sinulog has opened a number of opportunities for the group, including representing Cebu and winning in other festivals such as the Aliwan Festival in Pasay City.  Lumad also participated in the Asian Pacific Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia last year.

Lumad Basakanon has also performed in Carmen, Toledo City, Samar and Tacloban City last year.

“Nidako na ang grupo kay daghan na nga mga kabatan-onan ang ni-apil karon ug ang relasyon ni-solid because of our experiences,” he said.

With the comeback of other performing contingents like Tribu Lingganay of Alang-Alang, Leyte, Navarro said they are ready to compete with their fresh concept, choreography and costume, among others.

He said their performance depicts “survival” following the series of disasters in Cebu.

“Our dance’s concept is something new, something to look forward but our trademark is incorporated like our costume nga body suit with vivid colors. We are minimalist so we will focus more on costume and concept. Gibuhat namo ang tanan para nindot ang performance,” he said.

Since 1990, Tribu Basakanon championed the Free-Interpretation category five times - in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2014.

Further, Navarro said all the cash prize they will won from the festival will be given to the dancers and props men to somehow pay off their hard work and sacrifices.

He said the barangay shelled out around P1 million for the performance since they are not covered by the P150,000 subsidy from the city government.

“We’ve been asking for cash assistance but still we did not receive any from the city government. Hopefully, next year ma-include nami para naa mi magasto sa props,” he said.

For about four years, Lumad Basakanon, a barangay-based contingent, has been requesting SFI for cash aid.

However, the rules provide that only school-based contingents are qualified to receive the P150,000 cash assistance to subsidize some of their expenses. — Kristine B. Quintas/ATO (FREEMAN)