CATBALOGAN CITY -- The Tribu Katbalaugan of this coastal city in Samar province successfully defended Saturday, April 16, its championship crown after a very tight Aliwan 2016 festival showdown.
Nearly 400 members of Catbalogan’s Tribu Katbalaugan performed the “Manaragat Festival,” which showcases the city's ritual of thanking its patrons St. Bartholomew and Santo Nino for the abundance of resources found around Maqueda Bay.
Considered as neophyte in the Aliwan’s battle of country’s giant festivals, the Tribu Katbalaugan got the crown the first time it joined in 2015, and successfully retained its crown in this year’s battle and took home P1-million prize.
It bested not only the Sinulog of Cebu but also the Dinagyang of Iloilo, making it the Best of the Bests Festivals in the country.
“It was a challenge to have won last year's championship, more so with this year's win. But because of everyone's continued support, we have made another history for us all,” said Catbalogan Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan, as she received the award in behalf of her team.
Observers at the podium opined that the Sinulog and Digagyang, which previously lorded the “clash of the giants,” now bowed down to the new tribe.
Last January, Tribu Katbalaugan joined the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City and won second place. The impressive performances of the Tribu dancers gained invitations from neighboring provinces during local celebrations.
For nearly a year, Mayor Uy-Tan personally supervised the training and discipline that members of the team -- dancers, ritualists, instrumentalists, artists, and propsmen -- have undergone.
But Uy-Tan also acknowledged the sacrifices of the support staff, such as the kitchen and medical staff, donors and volunteers, as well as the parents of the children who have managed well their time between studies and training.
“Thank you all. All these blessings of Catbalogan are for all Catbaloganons,” said Uy-Tan. “I am very much happy and proud for all of us. To God be the glory.”
Meanwhile, Tribu Katbalaugan Festival Queen Lou Piczon was adjudged as second runner-up in the Aliwan Festival Queen competition.
The Department of Tourism (DOT)-Eastern Visayas congratulated the team for retaining the title.
“After seeing their performance, we were very confident that they would retain their title as the champion in the Aliwan Festival. Their choreography, smooth transition, precision and dazzling performance, vibrant costumes, highlight use of props and the dynamic musical accompaniment spelled their victory,” said Karen Tiopes, DOT-Eastern Visayas director.
"Their victory brings pride and joy to the people of Catbalogan City, Samar province and Eastern Visayas. It also reinforces our claim that Eastern Visayas is the home ground of national festival competition champions," she added.
The other winners include the following:
2nd place - Tribu Salognon for Dinagyang (Iloilo)
3rd place - Dr. Bernabe dela Fuente Sr. Natl High School for the Meguyaya festival (Upi, Maguindanao)
4th place - Datu Piang Performing Arts Guild for the Sagayan festival (Datu Piang, Maguindanao)
5th place - Hambujan Dancers of Dolores, Quezon for the Niyogyugan festival of Quezon Province
Tribu Katbalaugan also won the Best Costume and Best Music awards, while the Best Folkloric Performance went to Pinsao National High School for the Panagbenga of Baguio.
For the float category, the first place went to Sinulog (Cebu), second placer was Damak (Cotabato City), and third placer was Sagayan (Datu Piang, Maguindanao).
Cynthia Thomalla, representing the Sinulog of Cebu, was adjudged as “Reyna ng Aliwan 2016.” She also took home four of the six minor awards such as the Best in Festival Costume, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic. (Sunnex)