Naga marks 4th Dagital festival

CEBU, Philippines - The City of Naga celebrates today its 4th Dagital Festival, with eight schools vying for the grand prize.

Noli Omani, the city’s public information officer designate, said locals and visitors can expect a “grander” and “better” performances this year.

“Mas nindot ron. Makakita man ta nga taga tuig nagka-improve ang atong mga performances,” said Omani in an interview.

In today’s competition, Sienna School of Naga, the only participating private high school and grand winner in 2009, is said to use never-before-seen special effects. Other dancing contingents are the six national national high schools – Naga, Balirong, Don Emilio Canonigo Memorial, Tuyan and Uling – and the Professional Academy of the Philippines (PAP).

Dagitab or flicker of light in English was conceptualized four years ago under the leadership of Mayor Valdemar Chiong. Chiong said the festival is the city’s way of celebrating the city’s progress over the years, being one of the main sources of electricity in the province.

This Friday, the festival will start with the traditional street dancing at 4P.M. the same dancers will wow the audience in their ritual performances, which kicks off at 7P.M. there will also be a sky lanterns festival to start the competition, and it will be capped by a fireworks display.

A cash prize of P25,000 awaits the grand winner of the ritual showdown while P20,000 and 15,000 will be given to the second and third winners, respectively, plus trophies.

The winning contingent on street dancing, meanwhile, will receive P12,000, while the second and third winners will go home with P8,000 and P5,000, respectively, with trophies.

The Best in Costume awardee will also get a separate P5,000 and a trophy.

First district Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn F. Garcia are expected to grace the event. (FREEMAN)