AFTER winning second prize and four minor awards during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan, Mandaue City's contingent, Tribu Mandauehanon, promises more surprises this Sunday for the Sinulog Grand Parade.
Choreographer John Ervin Demape said the contingent is doubling its efforts in practices after qualifying in the free interpretation category.
Tribu Mandauehanon won best costume, musicality, choreography and street dancing during the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan last Saturday at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
The group visited Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes yesterday and some dancers presented their winning performance at the City Hall session hall.
The contingent is composed of 100 dancers-- Grades 4 to 6 students of the Opao Elementary School (OES)--and 300 props men.
Tribu Mandauehanon's performance highlights the life of the miners in Cebu.
Doubled
“We doubled our preparation. We did not make any changes in the dance steps but we just added a wow factor,” Demape said.
OES principal Alma Bardoquillo said that the Mandaue City Government approved their budget proposal of P3.4 million for the costume, props, food and fees for the musicians, artists and choreographers.
Bardoquillo and MCSD Supt. Virginia Zapanta thanked the City Government for its support.
The students started practicing last October.
Niño Matillano, division cultural coordinator of the Mandaue City Schools Division (MCSD), said they never expected to win the street dancing category as the students only practiced the night before the competition.
“We don’t count the cost. We don’t count the effort. We just offer the performance to the Sto. Niño. I told them (students) to perform with their hearts. When you put your heart and soul in what you do, everything will end up beautiful,” Zapanta said.