Lumad Basakanon to compete in Aliwan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City’s own Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, second place winner in the Sinulog Free Interpretation Category, wants to join the Aliwan Fiesta in Manila in April.

Basak-San Nicolas Captain George Rama said the organizers of Aliwan Fiesta has given him the go signal to participate in this year’s event.

In 2007, Lumad Basakanon earned the Hall of Fame distinction after they bagged the grand prize in the Aliwan competition in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Since then, they were barred from joining the competition.

But Rama revealed they were given the go signal to join this year, an opportunity to showcase Cebu again as the home of festivals in the country.

Rama said they have started raising funds for their trip to Manila for the Aliwan Fiesta.

Lumad Basakanon is a community-based group supported by the barangay.

It has won several times in the Sinulog Festival in the past years.

Last Sunday, Lumad Basakanon placed second in the Sinulog FI category and bagged the Best in Costume and Best in Musicality awards.

They also placed third in the Street Dancing competition.

During the awarding and repeat performance yesterday, Rama and the choreographers received P500,000 for winning second, P100,000 for best in costume and P50,000 for best in musicality.

They also received P300,000 for being third in the street dancing.

Rama said he will divide the prizes among the dancers and the all members of the production.

He also said they almost became the champion even without subsidy from the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

He again urged SFI to also provide financial assistance to community-based groups like the P150,000 assistance SFI gives to school-based and out-of-town contingents.  (FREEMAN)