Caballo de Compostela Streetdance Festival

CEBU, Philippines - After six dormant years of waiting, the Caballo de Compostela Festival of the Municipality of Compostela, Cebu soars high as it celebrates its third on July twenty-five since its formative years starting in 2005. The idea of reviving the festival stems from the interest of its locals and spearheaded by the local government under the leadership of Mayor Joel Quiño.

The religious festival is conceptualized in honor of Señor Santiago de Apostol, or Saint James the Apostle, the town's Patron. The Spanish concept of mounting Jesus' famous apostle on a white horse establishes old faith and tradition, an embellishment of man's fascination over a vanguard of the Divine Creator.

Saint James was not a Spaniard. But he was buried in an ancient burial ground in Spain after being beheaded by the Roman emperor Herod of Agrippa. Centuries passed and the tomb became forgotten until an old hermit named Pelagio, guided by a bright star, found the Saint's tomb in a field. Thus the name Compostela, coined from the words "campo" or field and "stella" or star. A basilica was erected in that place. This is northwest of Spain.

The battle of Clavejo in 844 AD immortalized the icon as a horse rider when, allegedly, Saint James, mounted on a white horse, routed the Moors.

Many festival versions of Señor Santiago are celebrated throughout the country. In fact, the celebration is closely associated with a grand battle or "gran batalla" and the "Moro-Moro". Compostela, Cebu's version is that which displays many concepts portrayed in dances of Spanish or Western influence.

This year, ten local contingents ambitiously reinvents the Caballo after its long hibernation. To aid these contingents, a festival and folk dance echo workshop was held last May 26 at the DM Reynes Compostela Gym. This was conducted by the Philippine Folk Dance Society Cebu Province Chapter under the permission of its mother chapter in Manila. It was participated by choreographers, physical education teachers, dance enthusiasts and students.

The Caballo de Compostela festival is chaired this year by Vice Mayor Marie Antoinette Dangoy; vice-chaired by Hon. Josephine Abing and HRMO Fe Estrella Lawas.

The Festival will start at one in the afternoon on July twenty-five, 2012, where the ritual presentation will be held at the DM Reynes Compostela Gym.

 Viva Señor Santiago de Apostol! (FREEMAN)