Best contingents winin Naga “Dagitab” fest

CEBU, Philippines - The Tribu Makiangayun of the Professional Academy of the Philippines (PAP) won the ritual showdown while Pundok Nagkahiusang Pamilya of Uling National High School won first place in the street-dancing competition of last Sunday’s fifth “Dagitab Festival” in Naga City. 

“Dagitab,” which means electricity, is celebrated because the city is home to one of the leading electricity providers in the country.

KEPCO (Korean Electric Company) is set to address the looming power shortage in the Visayan.

The group took home the grand prize in the ritual showdown and second place in the street-dancing category, bagging P50,000 and P20,000 in cash prizes, respectively.

The Pundok Nagkahiusang Pamilya-barangay Uling and Tribu Kahayag Dagitabnon won second and third place, respectively, walking home with P40,000 and P30,000 in cash prizes, respectively.

For the street-dancing, second place honors went to Pundok Pangdanon-barangay Pangdan, grabbing P12,000 while the third place winner was Tribu Makiangayon- (PAP), which won P8,000.  Non-winners were given P10,000 each. 

The annual event capped the week-long festivities that included a dance showdown, a live band concert, and daygon and choral competitions, among others.

Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong conceptualized the festival to enhance the city’s tourism program and to establish the residents’ sense of pride and identity.

Chiong said the festival expresses six aspects of “dagitab’s” contribution to residents, namely, light, progress, industry, tourism enhancement, economic development, and employment.

Hundreds of spectators flocked to the town’s plaza to witness this year’s festival.

A street parade was held in the afternoon.

Battery-operated twinkling lights adorned the dancers’ costumes and props, sparkling in different hues as eight contingents from different elementary and high schools in the town competed in the ritual showdown in the evening. (FREEMAN)