Sibonga’s dancers aim for top prize
A dance troupe that will represent the Bonga Festival of Sibonga town, southeastern Cebu, aims to clinch this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals championship.
The “grand showdown” of Cebu’s festival dancers will take place Saturday at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City.
Bonga dancers placed second among more than 40 contingents in last year’s contest.
Victor Cuenco, Bonga’s choreographer, told Cebu Daily News that dancers have new costumes, fast-paced choreography and “drama.”
Sibonga Mayor Lionel Bacaltos, in an interview, said the town has been raising the bar since entering the competition in 2009.
A snippet of the dance was shown in yesterday’s Bonga celebration in Sibonga town.
Bonga is a Cebuano term that means fruit.
The festival of the same name is Sibonga townsfolk’s thanksgiving to God for graces—especially abundant an abundant harvest of fruits—received through the intercession of patrons St. Filomena and Our Lady of the Pillar.
Meanwhile, three-time champion Palawod Festival of Bantayan town will give their Sibonga rivals a run for the money.
Vince Escario, the festival’s choreographer, said their dance troupe will depict the lives of the Bantayanons who live in houses on stilts in coastal villages.
Escario said this is different from previous performances that showed various forms of livelihood in the island.
The group already spent P2 million compared to P1.7 million last year.
Cebu Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who witnessed yesterday’s festival, said “big improvements” have been seen in the towns that hosted their own festivals.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia challenged the towns to continue to “raise that bar” of excellence.
About 42 towns and component cities are expected to compete this Saturday.
Dancers have been rehearsing almost daily in the convention center’s parking lot where a big stage was set up.
Officials of Ilocos Norte and South Cotabato provinces will witness the event.
The Pasigarbo Festival Queens will be presented tonight at the convention center.
