Saturday, January 20, 2007 SWU out to ‘reinvent’ Sinulog By Linette C. Ramos Sun.Star Staff Reporter
BEING the most awarded contingent in the Sinulog grand parade, Southwestern University’s (SWU) comeback performance, the first in 12 years, is both a challenge to and a source of pressure on its performers.
But when they go back to the streets tomorrow, the contingent wants to show the revelers a unique performance, one that veers away from the traditional Sinulog dance movements.
Al Evangelio, director of SWU’s contingent, said that having been away from Sinulog’s limelight for the past 12 years, they are challenged to put a fresh face to their performance, something that will truly entertain the public.
“The school’s contingent is the most awarded so definitely, there is pressure and it’s going to be a challenge for all of us. But we are ready to put up a very good show, we are ready to compete,” he told Sun.Star Cebu.
SWU is in the Sinulog’s hall of fame after it won the grand prize nine times in the Sinulog-based category.
Instead of the usual dance movements performed to venerate the Sto. Niño, Evangelio and choreographer Paul Delgado have infused some jazz, ballet, folk dance and modern dance steps in their five-minute dance ritual.
The Sto. Niño will still be central to the contin-gent’s storyline, which will be executed by 100 dancers from the university.
“It’s still the story of the triumph of good over evil, with the Sto. Niño as the unifying factor. In the end, after the conflict, the good and the evil will unite to venerate the Sto. Niño,” Evangelio said.
While some contingents will perform with imposing props and costumes, SWU will focus on the dance and the thanksgiving ritual.
The usual “two steps forward, one step back” footwork has been modernized to go with the fast-paced drumbeat.
“Since the school has not joined in a long time, we worked to reinvent the Sinulog dance so the people will see something new. The usual raising of the arms to venerate the Sto. Niño, that has been changed. We have explored everything to make the performance modern,” he said yesterday.
