Showcase Cebu

Over the weekend, we witnessed the rebirth of what was a big event put on hold for six years --the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo. Honestly, I forgot that it even existed. Well, back when it was still around, I was still probably too young to remember. From what I understand, it is a coming together of all the festivals that the towns and cities in the province. It is comparable to Negros Oriental's “Buglasan” festival, only much bigger. I didn't really see how much the towns and cities gave their efforts into the preparations as the announcement of the event was somehow last minute.

Fast forward to yesterday's event; it was a jumble of concerns altogether - traffic, being tired, hungry, and many more. With 44 contingents that graced the grand stage at about 7 p.m., the program lasted until the wee hours of the morning, until everyone gave their all. Even the personnel of the line agencies said they were tired from staying up all night. It was a scenario that was supposed to be foreseen.

There is no doubt that it was a great show. The costumes of the participants and their choreography, plus the fluidity of their dances was without question. They deserve to be watched and applauded for showing the rich culture and heritage that the province has to offer. But one question seemed to bug me: Why only now? Yes, it is in line with the anniversary month of the province but it is seems to me like everything was done in a rush.

There are a lot of things to consider when the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo happens next year. It would be best if the organizers could market the event well, albeit different from the dance showdown the Sinulog has to offer. Tourists might be confused by the events, but it is sure to draw attention. Also, they should also be considerate of the time element. With many contingents scheduled to perform, they should have started earlier and implement the carousel-type presentation. They could have saved time from all the waiting.

I also hope that everyone was taken care of - from the dancers down to the support group of every contingent. There were reports of dancers fainting because they were too exhausted and hungry from waiting for their turn to perform. Also, a budget should be in place. While it is nice to let culture develop, we should also be practical. Many of the Filipinos are living in poverty. Let it not be a slap to their faces that the money that could have been spent for food was appropriated someplace else.

Would I want to see another Pasigarbo sa Sugbo next year? Yes, most definitely but with the changes that they ought to bring. Let this one pass because they are first-timers after a long-time hiatus. With the improvements that they could implement, I'm sure it's another factor that can boost our tourism. Again, my fingers are crossed.