SLU wins Panagbenga fest street-dancing category

BCNHS to represent Cordillera in Aliwan fest 

BAGUIO CITY – For the second straight time, Saint Louis University  won the Panagbenga Fes­tival’s open category in street-dancing and showdown competition.

SLU’s performance had the theme “Rice for Life” with the dancers dressed in the Ifugao traditional attire.
The contingent will receive the grand prize of P300,000.

The group of Mana-It from Burgos, La Union bagged second place and P200,000 for its “Amag bi sih-si,” presen­tation, which means broom making.

Third place went to the contingent from Pinablin, Calasiao, Pangasinan, presented “I love Pinablin Calasiao and Wow Puto Festival” the group received P150,000.

The fourth placer was the group from Sagpat, Kibungan, Benguet, which won P50,000.

The winner in the High School divi­sion, Baguio City National High School received P250,000.

Second place went to University of the Cordilleras Senior High, and third place to SLU Senior High School

Pinsao NHS, Pines City NHS and Remnant International College each re­ceived a consolation prize of P50,000.

The elementary division was won by Tuba Central School, which received P300,000.

Second place went to Mabini Elementary School, third place to Ba­guio Central School, fourth place to Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School, fifth place to Jose P. Laurel Elementary School, sixth place to Lucban Elemen­tary School and seventh place to Don­togan Elementary School.

Twenty-four groups participated in street dancing parade, seven in the el­ementary division, six in the high school division and four in the open division.

The five winners of the first cultural competition held last Feb. 23 at Melvin Jones Football joins the parade, includ­ing the special guest performers from Tribu Ilonganon, of Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation and contingent from Tabuk City, Kalinga.

The 24th Panagbenga Festival has the theme “Blooming Forward,” to highlight the city’s inclusion in the list of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) of creative cities.

This, as the Baguio City National High School-Special Program for the Arts (BCNHS-SPA), which won first place in the high school category of the grand street dancing parade held on March 2,  will represent the Cordillera Region in the annual “Aliwan” Festival. 

“Aliwan” Festival, organized by the Dept. of Tourism, gathers festival champions nationwide to a massive convergence of creativity and cultural dance competition in Manila.

The announcement was made by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF) prior to the contingent’s showdown at the Melvin Jones grandstand on Sunday, during the grand float parade.

"Even before the performance in grand street parade competition, teachers are hopeful that we will be able to join in this year's Aliwan festival and that served as our motivation to perform better," Ricky Chia, BCNHS-SPA choreographer said after the presentation.

The BCHNS-SPA contingent is composed of 200 personnel -- from dancers, props holders and assistants.

Chia said the presentation titled "Wonders of Baguio" depicts the different tourist attractions in the city. 

 BCNHS-SPA teacher coordinator Francis Lumiwes said they have a month to prepare for the Aliwan Festival set in April. There are three categories: Street Dance, Float Parade, and the Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Entertainment) beauty pageant. 

Lumiwes said it is their first time to join the festival. He said the budget could reach as much as P800,000 for the costumes, props, and food. – With a report from Pamela Mariz Geminiano/ PNA