STREET dancers from Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya were hailed as champions during the 17th Matagoan festival in Kalinga.

Tabuk City Mayor Ferdinand Tubban said it was the first time that the festival opened its doors to contingents from neighboring areas to compete in the street dancing competition.

The Aritao group portrayed the Ifugao tradition on hunting, wherein the community offers prayers to Kabunian (God) during planting season and ask for the help of mumbaki’s (priest) for a successful harvest.

The people celebrate through music and dance and sing praises through the Hudhud, calling all to join the celebration and rice wine is served.

In the top three are the San Mateo, Isabela Balatong Street Dance group which performed how farmers harvest monggo beans using the traditional salakot, bilao and labba.

Tabuk City contingents from Kalinga National High School portrayed the city as the peacock of the north seen in its majestic mountains, colorful clothing and national dances showing the charms of the Y-Kalinga.

Runners up were Cauayan City, Rizal, Kalingan, Baguio City - Ayyoweng di Gangsa, La Trinidad, Benguet Tourism, Tribu Gaddang Cauayan, Jones Isbela and the New Generation Performing Group from Tabuk.

The Matagoan street dancing over-all champion received P200,000 while the 1st and 2nd runners-up got P150,000 and P100,000, respectively. Consolation prizes of P50,000 were also given.