CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Dancers representing Floridablanca town bagged this year's Sinukwan Festival Street Dance Competition at Robinsons Starmills Friday, November 30.
The competition was divided into two levels, the elementary (first level) and the high school or college (second level).
Kapampangan youth dancers from Floridablanca took the lead in the first and second levels, while San Isidro Resettlement Elementary School of Magalang and Gueco Balibago Elementary School of Balibago, Angeles City got second and third places in the elementary level (first level), and Angeles City National Trade School of Angeles City and Palut Cabio Festival of Calulut grabbed second and third places, respectively.
Foundation for Lingap Kapampangan Inc. (FLKI) president Ma. Teresa Laus expressed hope that the province's cultural heritage and identity will be instilled in today's youth.
The participants performed with their own versions of what they know about Sinukwan, according to Laus.
"Through these creative dances the children showcased, we can see how aware they are and how they look at our culture. They can also experience how blissful it would take when we are celebrating the cultural aspects rightfully. After all, they are the future. It is right for them to know more about our culture, and soon, dwell upon it," Laus added.
Senator Paolo Benigno Aguirre "Bam" Aquino IV, who was the guest in the event, said it was his first time to witness the Sinukwan Festival.
"I'm so happy for being the guest of the street dancing competition. It's so wonderful to see Kapampangan youth happily dancing to Pampanga culture and songs. Because of their reaction, we would appreciate our culture even more," the senator said.
"The competition would definitely draw in guests outside Pampanga and for that, we have to be proud of our culture and history," Aquino added.
Congressman Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Jr., who also graced the event, said that appreciation for one's culture is an important value.
"Appreciating the culture of the province is like appreciating one's self. We won't be true Kapampangans if we're not going to love, support and appreciate our culture. Continue appreciating our culture," Gonzales said.