Sunday, January 13, 2008 New ideas, old theme for winners By Rene H. Martel Sun.Star Staff Reporter
INCORPORATING “new ideas into an old theme,” Alcoy town yesterday showed that winning last year’s elementary category was no fluke, as first-timer Carmen town dominated other high school contingents in yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan.
Each bested seven other contingents in their respective groupings.
The three judges picked Alcoy Siloy Festival as runaway winner for innovations it introduced in its 2007 concept for this year’s competition.
“They showed the same theme, (which is) the use of birds (Siloys). But they were able to put in enhancements, not only in costumes, but in the whole production. ‘Yung movements nila, transition, choreography, and level of performance of the kids, they learned a lot (from last year). We were unanimous actually in our choice (of winner),” said board of judges head Josefina Guillen.
She is the Philippine Folk Dance Society president and Cultural Center of the Philippines director for dance.
Alcoy, represented by Nugas Elementary School (ES), infused movements and features from last year’s well-applauded contingents into its own presentation that the crowd found marvelous.
Choreographer Victor Cuenco credited the feat to their concept, “drama,” and overall visuals and colors.
Twirling yellow flowers that looked like buds when closed as hand props, complimented by violet flowers in poles, and a giant Siloy that the image-bearing dancer rode, impressed the profusely-applauding crowd.
Lush forest
Alcoy’s presentation showed as backdrop a lush, thick forest that was the home of young Siloys (Black Shama, which are endemic in the town) portrayed by kids in black, feathered outfits.
The dancers held poles topped with leaves that help visualize a wind-blown forest.
The story started with an adventurous boy taking one of two eggs in a nest and pursued by a Siloy.
The chase was dramatized through the kid and the Siloy, each propped on one end of a long pole, dangerously flung up to the sky and down until the boy “fell” unconscious, with the bird retrieving the egg.
And through the intercession of the Sto. Niño, which showed up after a backdrop of clouds with cherubims parted, the boy was healed of his injury and he joined the others in dancing the Sinulog to honor the Holy Child.
Cuenco said theirs was a story on protecting nature and thus “saving yourself;” and of getting a second chance, which the Sto. Niño, in His unconditional love, gave to the erring boy by healing him.
Healers
Carmen town, on the other hand, showed the oft-repeated “healing by the Sto. Niño” as its concept.
Setting of its presentation was the time of the Pintados and babaylans (pre-Christianity local healers) in Cebu, where a sick man was made well by the Sto. Niño when a visit to the babaylans proved futile, said choreographer Angelo Manapsal.
That explained why their costume was similar to that of Sinulog grand parade free interpretation defending champion Lumad Basakanon, which featured skin-toned body stockings hand-painted with patterns similar to that of the Pintados.
It was the first time for Carmen, which staged the Sinulog years ahead of Cebu City, to join the Sinulog grand parade.
Guillen said they were surprised to witness that the participating secondary contingents showed “very good” performances in terms of execution and story idea.
“But Carmen was no doubt the best. Wala kaming nakitang flaw. You see, it is important that from the first viewing of the contingent, when they come out, they present a strong impression. They did and were able to sustain it all throughout the performance,” she said.
“Their movements were simple. However, the precision, the uniformity, the fluid changes of formations, the effectiveness of the props that highlight their points, made them more exciting to watch,” she added.
Guillen said Carmen is “going to give others participating in the Sinulog grand parade a good fight.”
Seminar
Sinulog executive director Ricky Ballesteros said the festival management seminars they gave for the participating towns paid off, as evidenced by the lack of vulgar choreographies and costumes.
For taking the grand prize in their respective categories, Alcoy and Carmen took P40,000 each.
Second to Alcoy was Pundok Sarokanan of Tugbungan ES, Consolacion town, followed by Apo sa Magbabaol nga Talisaynon, Tabunok ES, Talisay City.
Kabulakan sa Mandaue, Maguikay ES, Mandaue City took the fourth place, and Pajo ES, Lapu-Lapu City, the fifth spot.
In the secondary category, Lumad Mandauehanon, Mantawi Integrated Dance Company was second; St. Peter Academy of Alegria (town), Inc., third; Silaw Culture and Arts, Carcar Central NHS, fourth; and Oslob town, fifth.
Second place winners took home P30,000 each; third, P20,000; fourth, P15,000; and fifth, P10,000.
Winning choreographers received P5,000 (first), P4,000 (second), P3,000 (third), P2,000 (fourth), and P1,000 (fifth).
Pajo and Carmen also added P20,000 each to their winnings for bagging the best in costume award.
Like the 10 winners in today’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, yesterday’s victors will automatically earn a slot for the grand parade on Jan. 20.
