Carcar keeps crown; Danao also triumphs

CEBU, Philippines - The Carcar City Division successfully defended its crown in yesterday’s Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan at the Cebu City Sports Center.

Aside from emerging as grand champion, Carcar City also bagged awards in Best Musicality and Best in Costume, besting 10 other contingents in the Secondary Division.

Elementary Division’s grand champion was Danao City East District (Danao Elementary School), which also bagged the Best in Musicality and Best in Costume awards.

Other winners in the Secondary Division were Toledo National Vocational School of Toledo City (second place), Lawaan National High School of Talisay City (third place), Medellin National High School of Medellin town (fourth place) and Maslog National High School from Danao City (fifth place).

In the Elementary Division, other winners were Tuyan Central Elementary School of Naga City (second place), San Roque Elementary School of Talisay City (third place), Bogo City Division Elementary School (fourth place) and Sta. Filomena Elementary School of Alegria (fifth place).

Carcar’s original concept and ‘flawless’ performance

Gener Caringan of the University of the East Office of the Cultural Affairs and Ballet Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines praised Carcar City’s contingent because of its original concept.

“They did very well and they deserve it. They are enjoying what they’re doing. They feel very secure. Their grace comes naturally as seen in their moves and they were so precise,” Caringan said.

Caringan said that Carcar’s costumes were simple but striking. All colors combined perfectly and the dancers were able to make use of them to add more beauty to their performance, Caringan said.

Carcar’s costume was a traditional Filipiniana dominated by red and gold, the colors of Sinulog.

Caringan was yesterday’s chairman of the board of judges. He has been judging Sinulog for over 20 years.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said that Carcar City Division greatly improved from its performance last year.

“The execution was flawless, the concept is clear, ilang movement mura’g galutaw. So when they started performing, kabalo na gyud ang mga judge kinsa ang modaug,” Ballesteros said.

He challenged the defending champion of the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, which is set today, to match the same standards and level of performance shown by Carcar.

“If Carcar will be able to sustain and improve even more their performance, they have a chance in the Grand Sinulog Parade,” Ballesteros said.

Carcar City’s choreographer, Katherine Estenzo, was teary-eyed, saying she was thankful for the blessings.

Carcar’s preparation went through rough times when her father died last month. She said they have to shorten their practice everyday while she was mourning her father’s death. Estenzo also has some health issues.

“Nadugay gyud mi kay dugay man nga gihaya ang akong father maong nga di kaayo rigid ang among practice compared niadtong una,” she said.

Estenzo received praise from SFI officials and other Sinulog pillars because she is the only lady choreographer active in the Sinulog.

She said their props were just finished yesterday morning before they joined the parade. Because everything was done in last minute, she said it was really a blessing from the Santo Niño that they won.

“Mas nindot unta ang among costume kon nahuman lang,” she said. 

After winning the Sinulog Sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan yesterday, Carcar will have additional time to prepare and complete its preparations for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

“Di pa gyud kompleto. Naa ra mi sa 80 percent prepared karon (for yesterday’s event), but we now have more time to prepare for Sunday,” Estenzo said.  

Amid every problem they have encountered, according to her, “prayer was their only refuge.”

Estenzo said their concept this year was music-inspired, adding that they have lesser props this year with 98 dancers.

Prizes

Winners received bigger cash prizes and trophies bigger this year.

The champions received P300,000 each while the second placers to the fifth placers received P150,000, P100,000, P75,000 and P50,000 respectively.

Winners for Best in Musicality and Best in Costume received P20,000 each.

Governor’s reaction

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia described the performances of the contingents as “world class.”

Vowing full support to the city government in celebration of the Feast of Santo Niño, the governor announced that the P3-million assistance to SFI is now ready.

On Monday, Garcia will start practicing with Argao’s La Torta Festival group for her yearly devotion to dance during the Sinulog. — With Ryan Christopher J. Sorote/LPM