Thousands troop to city streets for ‘Sayawan’

THOUSANDS of Dabawenyos trooped to the streets of Davao City to witness the Sayawan sa Da'n, which featured campus and community-based cultural performers.

Participants in Thursday's street-dancing showdown awed spectators after nine competitors from various schools and cultural groups performed around city streets -- from Roxas Avenue to CM Recto Avenue, Bonifacio St., Pelayo St. and San Pedro St.

The winners were announced at the end of the showdown in front of the Rizal Park stage.

This year's Sayawan sa Da'n participants were cultural groups from Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Elementary School, Ata Ana Elementary School, Magallanes Elementary School, Mat Dance Squad, F, Bangoy Elementary School, Mabini movers, W. Aquino Pep Squad, The Blue Q all star, Tagakpan Elementary School, Bolton Elementary School, and Sasa Elementary School.

Winners received P50,000 cash for the grand champion, P30,000 for second place, P10,000 for 3rd place and P5,000 as consolation prize.

The contending groups were judged based on the following criteria: street performance at 30 percent and final showdown at 70 percent.

All groups were required to dance along the streets to the tune of "Bahaghari Tayo" by Popong Landero.

During the final showdown, the performers were only allowed to perform for at least one minute also to the same tune. (Jereco O. Paloma)