Pasigarbo sa Estaca 2011

CEBU, Philippines - The feast of the Holy Trinity or Santisima Trinidad falls on the ninth Sunday after Easter Sunday. This is the time where the locals of barangay Estaca, Compostela, Cebu gather to celebrate religious and spectacular highlights of the festivity.

Traditional rituals such as the pagda or bringing of the holy image from the caretaker's house to the chapel at exactly 12 noon on the first day of novena, cantadang pangadji or sung prayers, fluvial and road processions, the daily Mass, dayana or the loud playing of the brass band at dawn on the Feast day, the pagpa-uli or bringing back of the holy image to the house of the Sasos, the caretakers, after the fiesta, perya or local fair and the hikay or huge banquets signify the rich religious and cultural heritage of the barrio.

Estaca, believed to be coined from an old English word stake, a pointed piece of wood driven into the ground as a marker or support, is the first coastal barangay of the Municipality of Compostela when one is heading north. It is also known for the famous Stakili Beach Resort.

This year, the fiesta executive committee and locals agreed to hold a street dance festival in honor of its Patron. This was to be an experimental attempt to spearhead a kind of activity that has been embraced by almost all component municipalities and cities of Cebu Province. However, devoid of a specific platform to raise a specific street dance identity, the locals decided to take on the concept of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals.

All nine puroks took on an existing Cebuano festival that led to a grand competition last June 18 at the Estaca basketball ground.

Local choreographers were tasked to train respective Purok contingents. Joining the festival competition were Purok Talisay (Karansa festival), Purok Ipil-Ipil (Rosquillos festival), Purok Gemelina (Mantawi festival), Purok Mahogany (Palawod festival), Purok Nangka (Ani-Anihan festival), Purok Colo (Utanon festival), Purok Acacia (Soli-Soli festival), Purok Mangga (Sinulog festival), and Purok Caimito (Sarok festival).

With a winning edge of timing, coordination and theme, Purok Nangka bested all eight contingents together with the Festival Queen title. Purok Mahogany and Caimito were the runners-up. Best in street dancing went to Purok Ipil-Ipil.

With an overwhelming success of the said event, the barangay officials headed by Hon. Nida Goc-ong agreed to continue this highlight next year. This time, plans are underway to create a name and a festival jingle characteristic of the sentiments and produce of the barangay. (FREEMAN)