Lumad Basakanon: Champion again

CEBU, Philippines — Even after many years participating in the Sinulog, the Lumad Basakanon of Barangay San Nicolas showed it still has what it takes to be champion.

The rain certainly did not dampen the group’s performance in yesterday’s Tribu Kabataan or Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan as it beat nine other barangay contingents and booked a ticket to the Sinulog Grand Parade on January 19.

Aside from being hailed grand champion, the Lumad Basakanon was also ranked first in street dancing and was named best in musicality and best in costume, winning a total cash prize of P570,000.

Placing second is Barangay Labangon followed by Barangay Guadalupe, Barangay San Nicolas Proper, Barangay Budlaan, Barangay Cambinocot, and Barangay Mabolo.

Only seven contingents were given placements.

At the Cebu City Sports Center, Mayor Edgardo Labella commended the contingents on their “excellent” performance despite the rain and delays.

The Lumad Basakanon is certainly no stranger to the Sinulog. On their first try in the 90s, they were named grand champion in the Sinulog sa Barangay. The group was also the first to enter the Hall of Fame of the Aliwan Festival, a national competition of festivals from across the Philippines.

In 2017, the group gained international recognition after winning third place in the World Wonju Dynamic Dance Festival in Wonju, South Korea. It was the first time that the Sinulog Festival was showcased in the competition.

The Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, now referred to as Tribu Kabataan, used to be participated in by different schools in Cebu City until it was decided that the competition be inter-barangay. This year, it is described as a community-based competition.

The participating contingents were also rated and ranked in these categories:

Street Dancing:

1st (P70,000)- Barangay San Nicolas

2nd (P50,000)- Barangay Labangon

3rd (P30,000)- Barangay San Nicolas Proper

4th (P20,000)- Barangay Guadalupe

5th (P10,000)- Barangay Cambinocot

Musicality:

1st (P50,000)- Barangay San Nicolas

2nd (P35,000)- Barangay Guadalupe

3rd (P25,000)- Barangay Labangon

4th (P15,000)- Barangay San Nicolas Proper

5th (P10,000)- Barangay Budlaan