Mabolo, ANS rule Sinulog sa Kabataan-Dakbayan

CEBU, Philippines - Judges unanimously declared Mabolo Elementary School and Abellana National School as champions for this year’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan held yesterday at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Both contingents, representing the elementary and secondary categories respectively, and the rest who made it to the top five for each category, shall compete during the grand parade on January 17.

Dr. Larry Gabao, chairman of the board of judges and President of the Philippine Folk Dance Society, said that they saw the spirit and the energy of Mabolo pupils in relaying the message of the celebration through their presentation and choreography.

“We have actually seen more spirit in elementary pupils than in secondary contingents. Mabolo kids were able to execute their moves well. Malinis yung pagkaka-perform nila, they were really energetic and they have shown us that they were performing for the veneration not just for the sake of dancing on stage,” Gabao said.

Maximar Custodio, choreographer of Mabolo Elementary School (Tribo Mabolokon as they call the group), said that the concept they tried to portray is farming with papaya as their product.

In their neo-ethnic Cebuano inspired costumes, the group impressed judges on how the combination of colors were nicely presented and how the costume was utilized for the entire production. They also won the Best in Costume Award.

Custodio believes that constant practice and the discipline of the pupils allowed them to reclaim the crown that once was theirs in 2008. They won the first place in 2008 but the school did not participate last year due to lack of funds.

Gabao said among other contingents in the Secondary level, it is the Abellana National School that stood out in the area of choreography and overall production though he advised that the dancers need to show more spirit in their execution.

The concept of Abellana’s performance is a ritual dance and prayer of Bulacenos who celebrates the Sta. Cruzan, said Walter Betito, choreographer and MAPEH teacher of Abellana National School.

The presentation was the idea of mixing Sta. Cruzan and Sinulog because he said that in Bulacan, though Sta. Cruz is their major patron, they are also celebrating the feast of Sto. Niño every May 2.

Abellana National School also bagged the best in costume award for their costumes with butterfly sleeves.

Betito admitted that he did not expect to win the first place after seeing Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. Memorial National High School perform.

The latter was last year’s and 2008 champion of Sinulog sa Kabataan-Dakbayan which is known for their unique sequel concepts.

The group only landed in the fourth place this year because, Gabao said, that although their concept was really good yet they were not able to sustain it all throughout the presentation.

“The concept could have been reflected in the choreography. They could have created steps depicting the monastery and all that,” Gabao said.

Other winners include Lahug Elementary School, City Central School, Guadalupe Elementary School and Labangon Elementary School for second, third, fourth and fifth place respectively.

Secondary level winners are Camp Lapu-Lapu National High School as second, Inayawan Night High School in third, Don Sergio Osmeña Memorial School in fourth and Banilad Night School in fifth place.

Winners received cash and trophies: P150,000 for the first prize in both categories, P100,000 for the second prize, P75,000 for the third prize and P50,000 and P25,000 for the fourth and fifth prize respectively.  

Custodio and Betito said that yesterday was just a teaser because their respective group has more surprises this coming Sunday.

Gabao, who will also be judging during the grand parade, said that the costumes of participants still need to be improved and more energy should be shown on Sunday. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/BRP (THE FREEMAN)