Sinanduloy set record for most wins

TANGUB CITY—This city’s Tribu Sinanduloy now holds the record for the contingent with the most wins in the annual Sinulog parade.

Sinanduloy Cultural Dance Troupe successfully defended their title as the best contingent in the Sinulog-based category. They also won the best in musicality award.
Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate earned their second win in the Sinulog free interpretation category.

Out-of-town contingents won four of the 10 top prizes in the two categories.
Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI) executive director Ricky Ballesteros said the grand parade was a “showcase of excellence.”

“Even if the weather was erratic, they performed very well,” he said.
The Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe won their ninth trophy in the Sinulog-based category since they joined the Sinulog grand parade in 1994.
Nestor Jarden, chairman of the board of judges for the category, said the performance of the Tangub contingent was perfect.
“I admire their precision dancing. Their performance is simple, but a classy and polished production. The choreography is not complicated and relied on varied formations,” he said.

The Tangub dancers, clad in golden yellow Filipiniana and white and gold Barong Tagalog, showcased the different images of the Sto. Niño.
Aside from winning the Sinulog-based competition, Tangub also won the top purse in the street dancing category.

Lord Vergara, chairman of the board of judges for the street dancing category, said their decision was unanimous for Tangub.
“Tangub has mastered the art of space and the most important thing is they did not treat the Sto. Niño as a prop. Ever since, Tangub has venerated the Sto. Niño and meron silang galaw na distinct sa Sinanduloy (they have some distinct moves),” he said.
In the free interpretation category, the Placer contingent wowed the judges with their violet costumes, huge props and cut-outs of the Sto. Niño, and their fast-paced movements.

“It was a fantastic showcase of skills and creativity. They have perfected the interpretation of Sinulog and their total production is at the highest level of performance,” said Josefina Guillen, chairman of the board of judges for the category.

Guillen said Placer showed its passion for dancing and the passion to live for the Sto. Niño, and that she has high hopes for an even better production next year.
Aside from winning the free interpretation category, Placer also won the best in
musicality prize.
Other winners of the free interpretation category are Tribu Buyoganon from Abuyog, Leyte (second), Tribu Mabolokon of Mabolo Elementary School (third), Tribu Kandaya of Daanbantayan (fourth place) and Talamban Elementary School (fifth place).

Other winners in the Sinulog-based category are Abellana National School (second), Carcar (third), Bayawan City (fourth) and Cebu City Central School (fifth).
The grand parade ended with a Chinese-themed performance and a 20-minute fireworks display.

Rep. Rachel del Mar (Cebu City, north district), who portrayed a Chinese imperial princess, danced with the dancers from the different universities in the city that included the University of Visayas (UV), University of Cebu (UC) and the University of San Jose-Recoletos dance troupes.
The grand finale showcased different Chinese songs and dances.
On the other hand, some dancers could not contain their emotions after performing on stage in yesterday’s Sinulog grand parade.
After Lanao del Norte’s contingent performed, Marthy Bayron, one of its dancers, left the stage with tears in his eyes.
“Tears of joy,” said the 17-year-old dancer of his emotional outburst. His group received a resounding applause from the audience.
“We offered the dance to the Sto. Niño,” he said, grateful that his sacrifices paid off. “We spent sleepless nights and less time with our families for this.”
Like Bayron, Maria Precilla Mae Cenas of Tangub City’s Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe was sobbing as her group left the stage.

“I’m very happy. We’ve made many sacrifices, like being absent from school. But we didn’t mind them because we’re doing this for the Sto. Niño,” said Cenas, 15, whose group was the last to perform.
Winner of last year’s Sinulog Grand Parade, the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe has won the contest several times. But for Cenas, being able to offer a dance to the Sto. Niño was what mattered.
“It’s up to Him,” she said when asked if she thinks they will win again this year.
Dancers of Tribu Himag-ulaw, the contingent of Placer, Masbate, were shouting in joy after performing on stage.
Hearing the people cheer and clap their hands as they performed made her happy, said 16-year-old Sakura Suzuki.

“Our purpose here is not to compete,” she said. “It’s to offer a dance to the Sto. Niño.”
They enjoyed the grand parade, despite the rain that left them drenched, she said. “We had fun. The rain made us more energized.”
Moments after they performed, dancers of Tribu Buyogaynon, the contingent of Abuyog, Leyte, were still in disbelief.
Their dance presentation evoked a standing ovation from the crowd, including Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma.

“It was unbelievable,” Rick Gervoso, 20, one of the dancers, said. “We have improved so much, and we owe this to our mayor, who is very passionate in helping us.”
“That dance was for the Sto. Niño. And we are happy to have entertained the crowd,” she said.

Barbie Roa, a 12-year-old student of the Mabolo Elementary School, could not hide the pride she felt after their well-applauded performance.
“I’m very proud of myself. We practiced every day for this,” said the first-time Sinulog dancer.
Cecerez Mireballas, 15, was feeling the same.
“We were nervous at first, but no one made a mistake so we’re very proud and we enjoyed so much,” said the young dancer of South Cotabato’s Surallah Cultural Troupe.
The dancers from the Basak-Mandaue Elementary School who joined yesterday’s street dancing stayed energetic despite the weather.

“Taas kaayo og fighting spirit ang mga bata, bisag nga halos mura nami’g mga basa nga iring tungod sa uwan (These kids are in high spirits despite the rain),” said Anna Avi Rocales, head of the production assistants of the Basak-Mandaue contingent.
Rocales said the kids, mostly 10 to 12 ears old, ignored the rain, focused on their performance and had fun.