Tuesday, January 22, 2008 Originality sought among criteria
LUMAD Basakanon is asking for the inclusion of originality in the Sinulog contest criteria, complaining that seven contingents copied their costumes or their props in last Sunday’s grand parade.
Basak San Nicolas Barangay Captain George Rama said the Sinulog Foundation Inc. should also be particular about accepting registrants.
But Sinulog Foundation Inc. project director Dolly Suzara said Basakanon should be proud that others copied them, because it means that its steps and costumes are good.
She said no one can claim ownership of the dance and costumes because “nothing is really original nowadays.”
Basakanon won for the second straight year in the free interpretation (FI) category, but lost to Carmen town the best in costume award.
Yakan-inspired
The contingent won both the best in costume and best in musicality awards in 2006 and 2007, distinguishing itself with its Yakan-inspired costumes.
Basakanon’s dancers wore skin-toned body stockings with tattoo markings, and with adornments and headdresses made of native materials.
The costume has become its trademark since winning the FI grand prize for the first time in 2004. They just added extra colors and accessories in every succeeding year.
This year, Basakanon’s dancers were garbed in bronze-colored costumes with copper and yellow linings, and have quivers instead of hand-woven baskets on their backs.
FI board of judges chairman Nestor Jardin said that although Carmen heavily borrowed from Basakanon’s costume that both contingents tied in their scorecards for best in (FI) costume award, they agreed on Carmen after a caucus.
“We pick the winner not only (basing on) the colors but also (on) the cut and design, whether or not the costume fits into the choreography,” he said.
Carmen’s presentation was about a member of olden Cebu’s Pintados who was not healed by the babaylans but by the Sto. Niño.
Their costumes were skin-toned body stockings hand-painted with black patterns similar to that of the Pintados, and accentuated with maroon-colored clothes checkered with gold linings.
The dancers also wore red and golden-colored native Mexican hats aside from golden scarves on their heads.
When interviewed, Rama at first said it was okay that their costume was second-best to Carmen, but added that the choreographer should come up with his own unique set of costumes the next time.
Later in the interview, he did not mince words in criticizing Carmen’s costume.
“Ang amo-a man tong costume pag 2006. Nangopya man siya. Duna man siyay iyahang ideya, kamao man na siya, ipagawas na (That was our costume in 2006. He has his own idea, he should express it),” the former city councilor said, referring the Carmen’s choreographer.
Carmen, like six other groups, also used numerous movements and routines that Basakanon first introduced in the Sinulog, Rama said.
While Carmen was performing in yesterday’s awarding ceremony, Suzara approached Sun.Star and said it was clear that Carmen merely borrowed the style of Basakanon’s costumes.
But Carmen choreographer Angelo Manapsal denied copying Basakanon’s costumes, saying it was the judges and not him who gave them the award.
He said he even cheered for Basakanon, saying he has high respects for the contingent as he considers the contest a “friendly competition.” (RHM)
