THE Rhythm Competition of the 39th Pasalamat Festival was held Thursday, wherein 14 tribes competed for the Tribe Category while 10 tribes joined the Bulilit Category.

For the Tribe Category (barangay level and high school), the champion was Tribu Nonoy Jalandoni.

Their band leader is Kyzzer Lanz Jallorina, 14, and trainer Jert Jallorina, award-winning trainer/band leader since 2014. Their tribal chief is Barangay Captain Jojo Jalandoni. Their 20 drumbeaters were aged 14 to 30 years old.

The First runner-up is Tribu RSB while second runner-up is Tribu San Miguel.

For the Bulilit Category (elementary school), the champion is Tribu RSB (RSB Elementary School); Tribu Norte (La Carlota North Elementary School), first runner-up; and Tribu Nabagatnang Mangkas (La Carlota South Elementary School 1), second runner-up.

In the rhythm competition, the group is allowed to improvise the original Pasalamat Beat, the rhythm of which is carried by the agogo bell should be the basis for the competition; creativity with the use of breaks, interplay of instruments and soloist; skill which shows its musicality, percussion playing as group among soloist in various instruments; showmanship for their body language of drumbeaters in response to the rhythm of the beat, blocking, audience impact, appeal.

La Carlota City is the home of the drum beating competition champions in the Panaad Festival in 2016 and 2018. The city did not join in 2017 since the festivity coincided with the Pasalamat Festival.