SINULOG FREE INTERPRETATION
1 Lumad Basakanon - Cebu City -
2 Municipality of Carmen - Municality of Carmen, Cebu -
3 Alikaraw Organization - Hilongos, Leyte -
4 Tribu Iliganon - Iligan City -
5 Tribu Pintaflores - San Carlos City, Negros -

Best in Costume: Municipality of Carmen

SINULOG SINULOG-BASED
1 Alcoy Siloy Festival - Municipality of Alcoy, Cebu -
2 Sinanduloy Dance Troupe - Tangub City -
3 Pakol Festival - Sta. Catalina, Negros -
4 Baranggay Lahug - Cebu City
5 Silaw Culture and Arts Carcar -

I was glued to the TV all day to watch the 28th version of the Sinulog 2008 Grand Parade (as what the organizers wanted it to be called). As usual, the parade was long but this year’s edition was a bit of lesser quality than the previous grand parade. Sure, there were spurts of excitement but most of the time this interrupted by long intervals of not so out of the box performances.

There are some copycats observed in some contingents. Some contingents either look or sound like Lumad Basakanon. I would rather not name them because it will offend them but nonetheless I have to mention it here that they engage copying in one form or another. There are recycled performances, performances already seen in previous editions which clicked to the taste of the judges. The similarity is too obvious to be ignored. But there are other great performances too, notably the Alikaraw of Hilongos, Leyte. I asked for my apology when I referred them in other blogs as “unknown.” But I was rebutted promptly by a member of Lumad Basakanon that Alikaraw is not an unknown but a worthy contender, having placed third in Aliwan festival (which year, was not mentioned). Alikaraw successfully proved its billing as it wowed the crowd with its novel presentation, particularly the umbrellas mimicking the sprouting of the flowers. They captivated the crowd and their performance was the best in years.

On the other hand, perennial winners Sinanduloy Dance Troupe of Tangub City and Lumad Basakanon seems to fail to get their usual cheer from the crowd, perhaps because, nothing is to be expected of them except to excel. Take for example, Sinanduloy. After they performed, the crowd appreciated but they never went gaga like in the past since they know and expect that it is good. Same thing with Lumad Basakanon, except their grand entrance, the crowd was not as wild as before. I even believe that their last year’s presentation is better than this year.

I am happy though that the days of running, and circus like choreography is fading. There’s new trend emerging, this time dancing like the dancers beat as one. I admire the performances of Kaogma Festival in Camarines Sur, the Kalimudan Festival of Sultan Kudarat, the Pakol of Sta. Catalina, Oriental Negros, the Hagwa Festival of Bien Unido, Bohol, the Municipality of Carmen (Cebu), the Municipality of Carcar (Cebu) and the Don Sergio Osmena High School for their execution and originality. Tribu Iliganon was performing well too and it is in the running for top awards. The downside of it all is the running commentary of a public official in Cebu while Iligan is performing. You know, these people have enough of talking in other venues; they should have given the TV audiences a break by shutting their mouth while a performance is going on. Politicians talaga… Honestly, I was little bit annoyed by his insensibility.

What happened to Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte and Surigao City? You know, if you join in a big and widely publicized festival like the Sinulog, you should prepare it well and give it your best. Whats Surigao City doing there? It’s the second straight year that they gave the audiences “mantinir” performance. Its street dancing and not formal dancing like the one you have shown. To be blunt about it, it would have been better had it not participated in this years Sinulog if that’s the only performance they can show.

For Cabadbaran, it was rather a wasted opportunity to advertise its newly acquired status as a city. The performance is forgettable; it cant even win in municipal contests. Anyway, since its neophyte in terms of festivals like this one, there’s much room for improvement. The first thing is to launch their homegrown festival. Well, they could name it as “Malagkit” festival, Reunion de Cabadbaran Festival, Puto festival or even Tubig festival or whatever that reflects the culture of the new city. This way, the best contingent will be chosen with a good choreographer.

Finally, my bet to win? Sinanduloy for the Sinulog based with Carcar a close second and Alikaraw for the Free Interpretation with Lumad Basakanon, a close second.

Thanks for CCTN (Cebu Catholic Television Network) for its fine coverage. Without its coverage, people from outside Cebu wont have a chance to watch the Sinulog 2008 live. Still more room for improvement. Unsolicited advice. Anchors should be limited to trained personnel. Ricky Poca, Dante Luzon and Mr. Abelgas have done a good job. That’s all.