Tangub back to winning form

SINANDULOY Cultural Troupe of Tangub City made good its statement to “return with a vengeance” after losing in last year’s Sinulog grand parade.

The group, which is composed of 100 dancers and 80 props men, wowed the judges with their elegance in this year’s Sinulog competition.

They defeated 17 other contingents in the Sinulog-based (SB) category, including the Kulturanong Placereño of Placer, Masbate, the defending champion.

Tangub City also won the street dancing category.

In the free interpretation (FI) category, Tribu Lingganay of Alang-alang, Leyte successfully defended their title, beating 21 other contingents.

‘Wonderful’

In a news conference last night, Nestor Jardin, former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the chairman of the board of judges in the FI category, said Leyte won because of the “wonderful” choreography of the dancers and their props.

“The judges felt like it was a visual feast. The discipline of the dancers and the props holder was evident in the way the sequence transpired from one to the other,” he said.

In their dance routine, Leyte showcased their famous golden bell which was taken by Tamawo (spirits in the Visayan folklore) from the natives.

While the natives were trying to retrieve the bell, one of them got injured. He was later healed by the intervention of the Senior Sto. Niño.

The natives, who are garbed in gold overalls, then celebrated and expressed their thankfulness through huge and colorful props as well as fast-paced dance movements.

Their performance, which has several elements of surprise, drew the loudest cheer and was well-applauded from start to finish.

‘Distinctive, elegant’

As for Tangub, Cris Millado, artistic director of CCP and chairman of the board of judges of the SB category, described the group’s performance as “very distinctive” and “elegant.”

Millado said their performance, which gave importance to history by focusing on the construction and what the Basilica del Sto. Niño is today, did not fail them.

“The historical details and the rituals are very focused. All is well-researched,” he said.

Aside from this, Millado said the judges took notice of their production design.

“It goes beyond costuming. It is very unified now and the set is integrated in the routine which resulted to a one elegant dance and ritual,” he said.

Musicality, costume

Aside from winning the top spot which earned them P1 million, plus another P1 million for topping the street dancing category, Tangub also won as best in musicality (P50,000) and best in costume (P100,000) in the SB category.

Other SB category winners are Carcar City (2nd, P500,000), Kulturanong Placer of Placer, Masbate (3rd, P300,000), Talisay City Central School (4th, P200,000), and Apas National High School (5th, P100,000).

For the FI category, other winners are Lumad Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas, (2nd, P500,000), Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate (3rd, P300,000), Talamban National High School (4th, P200,000), and Lanao del Norte (5th, P100,000).

The best in musicality award was given to Lumad Basakanon (P50,000) and best in costume (P100,000).

In the street dancing category, the other winners are Carcar City (2nd, P500,000) and Lumad Basakanon (3rd, P300,000).

The winners in yesterday’s grand parade will have a repeat performance at 1 p.m. today at the Cebu City Sports Center.