“Silhig Festival” successful but most groups did not observe basic steps

CEBU, Philippines - Contingents should stick to the basic steps of the “Silhig Festival”.

This was the sentiment of Jun Oliver Figueroa, the director of the event. “The basic steps are related to the 10 stages in making a broom,” Figueroa said, something that most participating contingents reportedly failed to observe.

Still, the father of the festival, Barangay Captain Malaquias Soco, said the seven contingents performed well despite the rain last Sunday. He is optimistic that the main livelihood of the barangay, broom making, will be improved with the help of the festival and the intercession of the barangay’s patron, the Sto. Niño.

The festival is now on its second year. Niño Matillano, artistic director and PE coordinator of the Mandaue School for the Arts, created the official steps for the festival while the jingle, “Silhig sa Paknaan,” was composed by Frankie Gisultura.

Paknaan is considered to be the broom capital of the country. Through a cooperative, the barangay supplies at least 24,000 brooms to Manila, Iloilo and Iligan every month.

Contingent 4 raked in all special awards, including Best in Andas for which it received P3,000; Best in Choreography for which it received P3,000; and Best in Costume for which it received P3,000. It was also judged Best in Street Dancing for which it received P3,000.

The showdown champion, Contingent 6 (Zone Kalbasa, Sikwa and Okra), received P25,000. The 2nd place winner, Contingent 4 (Zone Tamatis and Sibuyas), received P20,000 while the 3rd place winner, Contingent 7 (Zone Kamansi and Kangkong), received P15,000. The non-winning groups received P10,000 each.

Apple Alesna of Contingent 7 was adjudged as Festival Queen and received P3,000 as prize.

Mayor Jonas Cortes lauded the organizers and emphasized the importance of “silhig” as a symbol of hard work of all Paknaanons and Mandauehanons.

“It is an offering and a way of thanksgiving to Sto. Niño,” he said. –/JMO (FREEMAN)