Flash mob to stir Valentine crowd in Lapu-Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - A security guard ran towards a fighting couple at the entrance of the Lapu-Lapu City Hall yesterday afternoon but was surprised to learn that the argument was just staged.

It was part of the skit the local government of Lapu-Lapu City prepared to mark Valentine's Day, said Nicole Balao, executive assistant at the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Office.

"At exactly 5 p.m., there was a short drama. Then the people there, even the guard himself wala kahibalo. They were happy with the flash mob, they did not expect it. No one expected it to happen," Balao said.

She said not even the government employees knew of the flash mob activity. In a flash mob, dancers come out of nowhere and start performing just anywhere as the group has planned. 

Spectators and passersby enjoyed the five-minute show, as some of the youth volunteers gave out tokens in a form of stuffed monkeys.

The show ended with Mayor Paz Radaza goin  down from her office to join the flash mob of the youth volunteers.

The surprise dance mob at the City Hall yesterday was the first location in a series of undisclosed areas where the group will perform this year. Balao did not reveal their next destinations.

Balao said this is the second time that the youth volunteers participated in a flash mob. Compared to last year's, this year's flash mob was staged in more areas in the city.

"We have more places to go compared sakatong last year. What's new this year is that we will have social media stars joining in the flash mob," Balao said.

She requested the media to withhold the names of their special guests.

The dance mob is performed by a group of 110 volunteers wearing red shirts. These youths come from different barangays in the city. According to Balao, the activity aims to promote the city's brand.

Last year, the youth volunteers performed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, inside a mall, at the park under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge, at the public market and at the recreation area in the city.

"We want to celebrate Valentine's Day through our short dance, like giving our time, our effort to the Oponganons, to make them happy in our simplest ways,"Balao said.  (FREEMAN)