THE 18TH Matagoan Festival is calling for participation for the Battle of the Champions on June 25 at Tabuk City.
Themed “Rang-ay ken Balligi, Rambak ti Umili,” the festival will be part of the city’s founding anniversary on June 24 with cultural and street dancing competitions which will also be held June 24 and 25 while on June 26, a farmers coop day will also be celebrated.
Arlyn Ethel Odiem, Matagoan street dancing chair and tourism officer, said there will be eight performing groups chosen to compete for the grand parade with over P500,000 up for grabs.
Odiem added the overall champion will receive P200,000 while the 1st runner up will get P150,000 and P100,000 for the 2nd runner up. Consolation prizes of P25,000 will be given while all finalists will receive P50,000 each finalist.
Matagoan means life giving and this year, an enhanced street dance parade competition will highlight the event on June 23 with the city calling for street dancing contingents from all over the country to join the annual celebration.
Entries must have at least two major awards in street dancing competitions in the national, provincial or the municipal levels. Each entry must consist of a minimum of 90 to a maximum of 105 participants including dancers and musicians.
Odiem said for inquiries the tourism office can be reached 09293031390.
Last year, street dancers from Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya were hailed as champions on the first year the event opened its doors to contingents from neighboring areas to compete in the street dancing.
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.