“MAKADAUG man ako-ang group sa hiphop kaso ang prizes igo ra man plete ug kaon,” Brillian Steve Miral Mayormita, 31, reminisced how he started his journey after his team won the grand prize of the Badian Banig Festival 2023 held on Sunday evening, July 23, 2023.
Born and raised in Badian, Mayormita considered winning the festival’s grand prize a “dream-come-true.” His team, Pundok Maglala, bagged P100,000 cash prize for being named the Best in Ritual Showdown (Free Interpretation). It also took home three major awards: Best Choreography, Best Costume, and Best Musicality.
The Badian Banig Festival 2023 made a comeback this after a six-year hiatus.
“Maka proud kaayo (I am very proud),” Mayormita said, as he expressed his gratitude to all his staff composed of residents of Badian town.
“Nag representar kini sa usa ka lumad nga Badianganon. Despite sa mga kalamidad nga mga nangagi, nagpabiling nagbarug ug nagtinabangay ug pinaagi sa pagbuhat sa banig, diri nimo makita nga wala kini gi yama-yama-an kay ang mga porma niini dili basta-basta,” Mayormita said.
Mayormita admitted that he started as a hiphop choreographer in high school, then he transitioned to cultural dance, teaching teams from schools and resorts in Badian. He said he did not expect cultural dance to become his life-long passion.
He said that in his college years, he joined a dance troupe and trainings where his skills were harnessed.
Mayormita said choreographing and visualizing concepts were among his dreams.
Asked what made his group unique, he said: “Something special sa akoang group is dili mga reklamador, then dali kayo makakuha’s mga steps.”
His biggest challenge was removing excess dancers, noting that a number of dancers have applied to become part of the group.
He also cited how enthusiastic the young performers were in learning and bringing their best for the final show.
With experience and love in performing arts, Mayormita said he was not bothered by the fact that other teams had choreographers who came from outside Badian.
“I am so proud of myself nga nakuha nako ang kadaugan nga wala magkuha og taga laing dapit coz akoang target is ma-train sab ang lumad Badianganon nga maka handle og usa ka group,” he said.
His advice to young talents who aspire to become choreographers is to “never give up” but to keep on dreaming.
“You will encounter problems when choreographing but don't worry about it because all problems have a solution,” he said.
The Banig Festival was held in honor of Badian’s patron saint, Saint James The Apostle. The fiesta celebration started on July 16.
Below is the full list of winners during the festival:
* Festival Queen Awards Best in Production Number -- Girlie Escabillas (Pundok Maghagod)
* Best in Playsuit -- Sachi Silvano (Pundok Maglilas)
* Best In Festival Costume -- Kimberly Ypanto (Pundok Magtubong)
* Best in Solo Performance -- Kimberly Ypanto (Pundok Magtubong)
* Professionalism Award -- Iris Caingles (Pundok Magsapay)
* Miss Photogenic -- Dona Virtucio (Pundok Maglala)
* Miss Congeniality -- Kimberly Ypanto (Pundok Magtubong)
* People’s Choice -- Sachi Silvano (Pundok Maglilas)
Badian Banig Festival Queen 2023
Champion -- Kimberly Ypanto (Pundok Magtubong)
First Runner-up -- Sachi Silvano (Pundok Maglilas)
Second Runner-up -- Girlie Escabillas (Pundok Maghagod)
Dance Category
* Best in Street Dancing -- Pundok Maglilas
* Best in Costume -- Pundok Maglala
* Best in Musicality -- Pundok Maglala
* Best Andas -- Pundok Maghagod
* Best in Choreography -- Pundok Maglala
Banig sa Badian Festival 2023
Champion -- Pundok Maglala
First runner-up -- Pundok Maghagod
Second runner-up -- Pundok Maglilas
(Claudine Flores, CNU intern)