Monday, August 11, 2008 Festival depicts evils of illegal fishing
DANCE interpretation of the adverse effects of dynamite fishing on marine resources won top prize in yesterday’s Dinagat Festival of Cordova, Cebu.
The cluster contingent from Barangays Gabi and Alegria took home the P50,000 prize.
The street dancing in the 13th Dinagat/Bakasi Festival took only less than an hour to cover the 1.5-kilometer route from Barangay Day-as to Barangay Poblacion because there were only five cluster contingents comprising 13 barangays.
“Gituyo ko kini aron makadaginot ta sa panahon ug sa gasto (We decided on the cluster system to save money and time),” Mayor Adelino Sitoy told the crowd that filled the Cordova Sports Complex.
More than just dancing, the contingents were also required to explain through a “showdown” the concept of their productions.
Children
The crowd cheered for the hundreds of children from different public elementary schools accompanying each contingent and waiving small flags.
“Kapoy kay layo man amo gibaktasan (It’s tiring. It was a long walk),” Jun Rey Baguio, 11, a grade five pupil of Cordova Central School, said.
“Kuyog ko kay masuko unya si Maam (Our teacher might get mad if I wouldn’t join),” Mary Joy Pacaldo, 8, a grade two pupil, said. She was with her mother Stella.
For the first time since former Mayor Arleigh Sitoy institutionalized the festival, it was only this year that the contest was exclusive to Cordo-vanons. The town shut its doors to contingents from outside.
Bigger problems
“Sukad wala pa kini mahimo, ug gituyo ko kini aron dili ta makapurohisyo sa uban nga mas dako pa og problema kay kanato (This is the first time we are doing this. We don’t want to trouble other people who are facing bigger problems),” Sitoy said.
He said it to explain why the annual festival had a smaller budget and had fewer contingents beginning last year when he became mayor.
This year, the festival committee worked on a budget that is two-third less than last year’s P600,000. In 2006, the town spent over a million.
Cebu City’s Tribu Basakanon and the University of Cebu dance troop kept last year’s festival livelier than this year.
The festival is among the highlights of the town’s annual fiesta celebration in Aug. 15 and 16.
Sitoy said the economic crisis made them decide to cut on expenses.
In yesterday’s competition, each contingent had seven minutes to perform.
Smooth flow
Ricky Balesteros, the executive director of Cebu City’s Sinulog Foundation and one of the three judges yesterday, said smooth choreographic flow and the concept it employed made the cluster 2 contingent win the top prize. The cluster was composed of Barangays Gabi and Alegria.
The biggest delegation award (P30,000 and a trophy) was won by the cluster from Barangays Gilutongan, Catarman and Poblacion.
The most festive contingent award (P30,000 and a trophy) was won by Barangays Cogon and Ibabao.
No contingent returned home empty-handed, as each category had up to fifth place with a cash price of P10,000. (AIV)
