Sunday, January 20, 2008 City’s dancers to tell Carbon vendors’ tales
ALTHOUGH they will be participating only as guest performers to formally usher the 51 competing groups, the Cebu City contingent will not be a so-so participant in today’s Sinulog grand parade.
The Cebu City Hall employees will be the first contingent to present, and they will dance as if they were gunning for the grand prize in the Sinulog-based category, said multi-awarded choreographer Michael Dax Barlaan.
Barlaan said he was forced to simplify the steps in consideration of the older dancers who could not cope with the complicated movements, but their presentation would still be “at competition level.”
“This is something new for the City Hall contingent, to come up with a very competitive presentation even though we are not vying for the prize,” said Barlaan, who is taking a break from coaching powerhouse Compostela National High School, which is not joining this year.
The contingent’s concept revolves around Carbon Public Market vendors who, at the end of the day, pass by the basilica on their way home to give thanks to the Sto. Niño.
“It took only two weeks and two hours each day for us to practice. Older members of the group did their best to cope with my demanding choreography, which requires presence of mind. Otherwise they’ll get lost during the transition to another formation or figure,” Barlaan said.
“The Sinulog beat is injected with Latin and rural Subli elements. Subli is a worship dance from Bauan, Batangas,” he continued.
It was not easy to put their number together, he said. Their first obstacle was the delay in the purchase of their props and costumes since the release of the budget for their contingent was also delayed.
“We finished the choreography for the ritual only last Wednesday, then we were able to rehearse at the sports center on Thursday,” he said.
First-time City Councilor Lea Japson will be dancing with the lead group of the contingent, which will have architect Mary Rose Villacastin-Maghuyop carrying the image of the Holy Child.
The group encountered another problem with the costumes. Since the winning bidder for the purchase of the costumes did not have simple materials, the City Hall contingent ended up with elegant patchworks, which he had to “tone down” to show that the people who usually go to Carbon are dressed simply.
Materials for the costumes of dancers from a rural community had to be brought in from Bohol.
Barlaan said that more than anything, they wanted the whole production to be an offering, so they have to deliver their best.
“We had a problem gathering all the dancers during practice but they are all determined,” he said. (RHM)
