CEBU, Philippines – Contingents from storm-hit areas dominated the ritual showdown of the 35th Sinulog Grand Parade yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.
Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog, Leyte stripped local favorite Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City, of its title as champion in this year’s Free-interpretation category.
Buyoganon bested 22 other contingents including two other out-of-town groups as it showcased the town’s Buyogan Festival.
The group’s ritual presentation followed the storyline of a bee getting wounded by a giant praying-mantis which was saved by the Holy Child.
Clad in stripes of orange and black, the contingent wowed the judges with its “innovation.”
Tribu Buyoganon bagged the first prize in the free interpretation category of the Sinulog Grand Parade in 2011 and second place in 2009. The damage brought by super typhoon Yolanda prevented them from joining last year’s competition.
On top of the major prize, Buyoganon was named best in musicality and fourth runner-up in street dancing to win an additional P100,000 and P300,000, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Kulturang Placereno got the top prize in the Sinulog-based category where it bested 20 other contingents. The contingent impressed the judges with their effective use of LED lights.
Tribu Buyoganon and Kultrang Placereno came from the typhoon-stricken areas of provinces of Leyte and Masbate.
Other winners for the Free-interpretation include Tribu Lingganay of Alang-Alang, Leyte (second), Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate (third), Tribu Katbalaugan of Catbalogan City, Samar (fourth), and Lumad Basakanon (fifth).
Other Sinulog-based category winners are Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City (second), Carcar City Division (third), Tuburan National High School, Cebu Province (fourth), and Talisay City (fifth).
Tribu Lingganay also earned the distinction for Best in Costume while Tribu Buyoganon got the Best in Musicality for Free-interpretation category.
Sinaduloy and Carcar City took home the Best in Costume and Best in Musicality, respectively for the Sinulog-based category.
For street dancing category, Lumad Basakanon won the top spot followed by Sinanduloy (second), Kulturang Placereno (third) and Tribu Lingganay (fifth).
The first place winners in the Sinulog-based, Free Interpretation, and street dancing categories will receive P1 million each; the second place winners will receive P700,000; the third place winners will receive P500,000; the fourth place winners will receive P300,000; and the fifth place winners will receive P200,000.
There were 44 contingents in all, 23 for Free-Interpretation and 21 for Sinulog-based categories.
Judge Chris Millado, artistic director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, said it was a close competition this year, although, the judges unanimously agreed on the top five placements.
“The quality of the artistry was quite high. We can see the innovation stage craft like properly use of different sets. And they showed stories in the dance,” he said.
Finale
The presentation of the 450th year of ‘Kaplag’ or the discovery of the historical miraculous image of the Santo Niño and the presence of the Augustinian order in the country, and the 50th year of the elevation of the Santo Niño church as a Basilica Minore top-billed the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Hundreds of performers reenacted the discovery of the Holy Child during the Spanish expedition in 1565 led by Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who was tasked by the Order of St. Augustine missionaries and who accompanied the voyage to celebrate the unearthing of the image.
They also reenacted the establishment of the Augustinian Recollects when they started building churches and spreading Christianity in the archipelago also in 1565, and the commencement of the Sinulog celebration in Cebu in 1980.
Also, a glittering finale highlighted by seven Cebuana beauties -Aliwan Festival Queens Steffi Aberasturi (2014), Angeli Dione Gomez (2012), Rogelie Catacutan (2011), Rizzini Alexis Gomez (2010), Sian Elizabeth Maynard (2009), and Jamie Herrell (2013); and Miss Intercontinental 2nd runner up Kris Tiffany M. Janson, who performed a Sinulog dance along with hundreds of artists from different colleges and universities in the city.
The affair ended with a fireworks display.
Assessment
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said he was thankful it did not rain.
For 35 years, this year’s Sinulog celebration is by far “the best”, said Sinulog Foundation Inc. executive director Ricky Ballesteros.
“I think this is so far ha in terms of flow dinhi sa sulod sa crowd management sa sulod lang ug sa performers nato, this is the best. Wala kaayo’y problema dili kaayo stress. Tinabangay gyud tanan like policemen, Centcom, all medical team,” he said. — (FREEMAN)