TALISAY City’s Central Elementary and Science High Schools ruled the ritual showdown category of this year’s Halad Talisaynon Dance Festival.
Talisay City Vice Mayor Alan Bucao told reporters that the city plans to support the festival’s sustainability, including providing a better venue for next year’s festivities.
Aside from winning the elementary division of the ritual showdown category, Talisay City Central Elementary School also won the best in costume and street dancing awards, with total winnings worth P56,000.
Talisay City Elementary School, which is supported by officials of Barangay Dumlog, secured victory through their performance which focuses on the history of Talisay City and its growing religiosity over the years.
Other winners
Aside from Talisay City Elementary School, other winners in the elementary division of the ritual showdown category includes Lawaan Elementary School which ranked second place and San Roque Elementary School in third place.
Talisay City Science High School, who is supported by Barangay Bulacao officials, also won Best in Costume in the festival. They garnered a total cash prize worth P53,000.
In the secondary division, other winners in the ritual showdown category includes Lawaan National High School, who won second place; and Talisay City National High School in third place.
Despite winning third place in the ritual showdown category, San Roque Elementary School also secured an award in the Best in Audiovan category.
Lawaan National High School also won the secondary division in the Best in Audiovan category.
Jaclupan Elementary School also won the Best in Andas category. Andas is a decorated platform used for religious procession.
In the same category, Tabunok National High School ruled the secondary division.
Tabunok National High School also secured victory in the Best in Andas category for the secondary education division.
Challenge
City Councilor Doroteo Emit, who heads this year’s fiesta committee, said organizing this year’s Halad Talisaynon Festival has been challenging, especially that they were working in a very limited budget.
Emit disclosed that the city appropriated P2.8 million for the Halad this year.
But Emit said they were able to secure enough support for the Halad through the help of the city’s barangays and business sector.
In a separate interview, Bucao said they plan to institutionalize the Halad for future fiesta celebrations.
He said the City also plans to appropriate funds to develop the grounds of the Talisay City Central School, which would serve as the official venue for the Halad.