TABUK CITY -- Synchronized steps, showmanship and fusion of ethnic choreography brought Tabuk City cultural performers just few points to the championship as it landed first runner-up in the cultural street dancing and cultural field demonstration competition in the recent 2012 Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City.
Trainor and choreographer of the group Richard Falgui said although it was the first time that the group joined in the cultural competition, they displayed high performance for the tightly coveted award participated in by 11 competing groups.
Organizers of this year’s cultural competition prepared fabulous cash incentives of P200,000 for the champion that was brought home by performers of Kabayan, Benguet; P150,000 for the first runner-up and P100,000 for the second runner-up.
The Kalinga performers with coordinator Arlene Odiem performed the Kawayan Rite to the delight of the thousands of spectators. Based on the synopsis provided by the committee on thePanagbengan Street festival dance parade competition, "Kawayan is an initiation rite of a Kalinga teenager to adult life that commences on the eve of his birthday that is participated by the whole community.
It is so-called, after the kawayan (a piece of bamboo) that is erected at the center of the yard. It symbolizes productive and long life of the celebrant.
The rite starts when the Mandadawac (priestess) dances around the celebrant sitting on a native blanket as she chants alisig while her assistant beats the mayucong (china bowl) with simultaneous playing of tongngatong (bamboo musical instrument) and gangsa (gongs) by some men.
An animal is sacrificed at daybreak as the Pangat (tribal leader) chants a paliwat (short poem) declaring the celebrant as a fully grown person. After which, symbolic gifts are given such as panay (antique plate) a symbol of abundance; badang (bolo), symbolizing responsibilities; sinanbituwon (royal blanket) as a sign of protection; bahag (g-string) symbolizing identity; and katagang (men’s head gear).
Native dances and indigenous games are performed as the celebrant watches.
Then the celebration ends with a prayer by the community.
All of these are set with the backdrop of the Tabuk landscape and flower designs and dancers as enhancement, to incorporate the celebration of flowers in Panagbenga.
The celebrant here represents Tabuk - a new city starting its journey to urban development while preserving its rich cultural heritage and aiming to be among the nation’s legendary cities.’
Participants from Tabuk City were mostly students of St. Teresita High School (STS), who at the same time are members of the school lyre band, the defending champion in the Panagbenga's schools lyre band competition.
But this year, the competition was limited only to schools of Baguio City but the STS lyre band showed an exhibition number during the competition.
Having been an undefeated champion in their hometown, the STS lyre band aspired of joining in the internationally acclaimed Panagbenga Festival schools lyre band contest and won as Champion in 2011, only their second time in the contest.
This year, 134 elementary and high school students from STS-Tabuk City, reinforced by 26 employees of the city government represented Tabuk City to the event.
Falgui acknowledged the City government of Tabuk for sponsoring the transportation and billeting expenses of the participants to the competition who have shown once again the talents of the Tabuk people.
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