Swinging to success

Contingents from nine barangays of Lapu-Lapu converged and danced their way through the thoroughfares of the city last November 19 to celebrate the annual feast. Scores of spectators in high spirits witnessed the well-prepared and choreographed street dancing and presentation of hundreds of participants the festival successfully gathered this year.

Contingents assembled at the City Central School of Lapu-Lapu and proceeded to the General Milling Corporation where dancers representing their respective barangays impressed the audience with their performances and competed for five major cash prizes prepared by the festival's committee. Barangays Poblacion, Looc, Pajac, Suba Basbas, Buaya, Mactan and Barangay Maribago were among the participants in the three-hour revelry of dances, which highlighted Lapu-Lapu City's rich resources and produce.

D' Abyss dance group's lead choreographer and dear friend, Abigail Padilla, was tasked to choreograph 52 dancers and 20 other participants from Barangay Pajac.

"The dancers stayed up as late as 3am for the final rehearsal and blocking. Wa pa gud mi madayun og praktis kay nag-uwan pero bilib ko sa mga bata," Abigail shared the nerve-racking situation the group experienced on the night prior to the event date.

She also mentioned that some of her dancers were as young as 12 years old. With just a little more than a week's rehearsals and some obstacles during the rehearsals, the group still managed to grab this year's first prize at P30,000. The group was also led by SK chairman Leah Catherine Alegre and Barangay Captain Ma. Lydia Cortes Aragon. Second place went to Barangay Buaya, followed by Barangay Mactan at third place. Barangays Poblacion and Pajac garnered the 4th and 5th place, respectively.

Spectacular SEA Games

Congratulations to Abigail Padilla and her life and dance partner, Mark, for the outstanding 10-minute choreography which awed the audience and judges and earned laurels for the group this year. I would also like to commend D'Abyss dance group for the stupendous display of grace during the opening ceremonies of the Southeast Asian Games. D' Abyss joined three other Cebuano dance groups and dance troupe winners from festivals of various parts of the Cebu province, all of whom had the wonderful privilege of being part of such a spectacular and momentous event! Kudos to director and choreographer, Junjet Primor, for another masterpiece our country is truly proud of!