Tinagba: What a feeling!

As a line from the song Flashdance…What A Feeling puts it, it was as if they were dancing for their lives.

This was how it looked with the street presentations of the different barangays (grouped into clusters) that joined this year’s Tinagba Festival in Iriga City. Held at the city center in front of the grandstand, the contestants showed extraordinary terpsichorean skills in choreographed moves that were all about coordination, formation and veneration (the Tinagba, after all, is in thanksgiving for first harvest).

Not even the rains could stop the Irigueños from giving their best. Even at the height of the downpour, the contestants had no qualms lying down on the wet pavement and dancing in soaked clothes. It was a miracle no one got hurt despite the slippery stage.

Someone remarked that the downpour was heaven’s way of giving a “thumbs up” to the celebration; a blessing for the Irigueños who have been acting as one under the leadership of their mayor, Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen. Indeed, the audience chose to get drenched in the rain than to abandon their kababayan. What better proof of “All for one, one for all?”

Celebrities who graced the event were amazed with the Irigueños’ show of support for each other. Over dinner, right after “fantillusion” parade and fireworks display, Yeng Constantino, Jayson Gainza and Gab Valenciano raved about the dancers, creative choreography nice costumes and props, as well as the people’s warm reception.

...Cluster 3 (Bgy. Sto. Niño, San Antonio, La Trinidad, La Medalla, La Purisima), second place, and...

Yeng connected most with the Irigueños. In singing Lapit, which spoke about reassurance that someone is looking after us, an audience member she asked to join her onstage broke into tears. And so did Yeng!

People also applauded Jayson’s song number, I’m Yours. Though not a professional singer, he bravely took on the song with lots of audience participation. In the end, the hearty applause proved that Irigueños not only listen with their ears, but more importantly, with their hearts.

Another highlight of the celebrations was Douglas Nierras’ conferment as the city’s adopted son. The world-renowned choreographer-dancer has been guiding and molding talents of the Irigueños to the point that they seem ready to join the Sinulog Festival (maybe next year, Douglas?). Since Douglas started conducting workshops in Iriga, the dancers seemed to have found their stride.   

Then, of course, there was the parade of floats with design inspired by technology and tradition. One float was designed as ginger, while another was dressed up like a locomotive. The disparity in designs tells the fact that despite Iriga moving fast forward, it never forgets to look back on its roots.

…Cluster 5 (Bgy. San Agustin, Sta. Teresita, San Andres, San Vicente Norte), third place.

This year’s Tinagba Festival was also an occasion to celebrate the Irigueños who have made it to different parts of the world, hence, the replicas of the Big Ben, Statue of Liberty and Pyramids of Egypt in the town plaza. Irigueños capped another successful Tinagba Festival. And here are the results of the 2011 Tinagba Festival Competition: Float Parade Winners: First Place, Casureco 3; Second Place, Iriga City Water District; Third Place, Cluster 6 (Bgy. San Pedro, Perpetual Help, Sta Maria, San Ramon, Niño Jesus, San Rafael, Cristo Rey, Sagrada, Antipolo and Sta. Isabel). Street Dance Showdown Winners: First Place, Cluster 2 (Bgy. Santiago, Sta. Elena, Sto. Domingo, Banao, San Juan and La Anunciasion); Second Place — Cluster 3 (Bgy. Sto. Niño, San Antonio, La Trinidad, La Medalla, La Purisima); Third Place, Cluster 5 (Bgy. San Agustin, Sta. Teresita, San Andres, San Vicente Norte, Sta. Cruz). Special Awards: Best in Costume, Cluster 2; Best in Moving Choreography, Cluster 2; and Best in Sound and Rhythm, Cluster 2.

Bravo, Iriga!