Judging for the Lantern Festival 2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

FOFR the second year in a row, I agreed to judge for the Lantern Festival of the Bacolaodiat 2012. It is very difficult to extend my rejects to Chairman of the festival, Leonito “Diotay” Lopue, knowing the tireless efforts he has spent on this festival.

So last Sunday, there we were at ChowKing being briefed for our responsibilities. I was dutifully assisted by Abbie who is not only efficient but very pretty. My fellow judges were Girlie Belzunce, Imogene Kana-an, Rudy Reveche and Eric Bagtas of Canon Philippines.

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My post was the very first stage (Thank God!) at the Lagoon area at 6:00 p.m. Diotay was a stickler for promptness, which is very good, and the performances of the 12 groups started on time.

From the very first group, we were already dazzled! Their lanterns were very attractive and the choreography great. This accelerated until the 12th group was done. So, as a juror, it was not an easy task. Since we were not judging the lanterns nor the costumes, we were instructed to be guided by choreography, movements, precision, performance and other criteria. I had to watch out, too, if a lantern fell, and how well they kept their lines straight.

Believe me, it was not an easy task. In the past year, there were two judges per post and that gave me a chance to exchange ideas with my fellow judge who was Rudy Reveche then. This time around, with just my solitary self, I had to focus all my attention to every movement.

Being in the first stage, the performers were still not fully warmed up. So, there were a few lanterns that did fall and, in some cases, they couldn’t find the center of the perimeter allotted to them which resulted in their being cramped on one side or the back. Nonetheless, every group had something to give, despite the small errors in details.

The lanterns were most impressive! Perhaps a tip to future participants is to stay away from the blue lights, as they look dull in comparison to the other lanterns that seemed to be brilliantly glowing. If indeed blue would be the preferential color, then enhance it with a brighter light. If I were to judge in the lantern category, that would really be a difficult endeavor. They were very attractive and had a character of their own from lotus flowers to dragon insignias to a variety of designs that leaves you with ohs and ahs.

Perhaps, it’s a good thing to have judged the year before, because I witnessed how the groups have evolved. One was innovative enough to have a Smiling Buddha mask worn by their dancers. That was a twist and most eye-catching. Another group performed with dancers on roller skates. That proved most entertaining and quite creative. What I watched out for was really who had the newer steps, the more precise lines and the cleaner execution. I think my score sheet was a mess with erasures until I could finally decide as to my ranking.

As to the costumes, every group had their own territorial fashion. It is good for us to be educated on these, as the cheongsam seems to be the only Chinese costume we know. But the performers wore clothes from different dynasties and to the class or province they belonged. That gave us an in-depth instant education of the different clothes of the time and place in China!

I would like to congratulate the team of Diotay and all the Chinoys plus all personalities, entities and establishments who exerted their excellent effort and energy to make the Bacolaodiat 2012 a success.

Mayor Bing Leonardia who thought up of this festival with the Chinese community came together with his lovely wife inside-and-out Elsa to witness the performance on Stage One. Although I was busy with my score sheet, I could see the enthusiasm of Mayor Bing, as he likewise commented on the great evolvement and improvement of the dances and the dancers. He had to beg out though, after a while, to attend the Bishop’s dinner because it was also the birthday of our good Bishop, the Most Reverend Vicente Navarra. Diotay even commented what a tough and tight schedule the Mayor must have!

I could honestly say this festival saw more people walking in the streets and enjoying the displays, the parade and just being a participant to the Chinese New Year. It goes without saying that it does have the best fireworks. I was in New York for the July 4th fireworks and I can honestly say Bacolaodiat’s fireworks can match the display. Fireworks were created by the Chinese and so it goes without saying that this is their field of expertise! Perhaps the challenge would be to have synchronized music with the fireworks next year?

Just an observation, though. I passed through the Shopping area on my way home. Isn’t Shopping supposed to be the Chinatown of Bacolod? It was so dark and gloomy. I counted only about three to four establishments which had some lights and lanterns. Shouldn’t there have been participation from the Chinoys in the area to herald a most significant occasion in their calendar, much more to be proud of a celebration that focuses on their lineage?