It was not their glitzy props that made them win but their discipline and the overall impact of their dance.
That was how a judge described this year’s winning dance troupe in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo: Festival of Festivals—the Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City.
Gener Caringal, a member of the board of directors of the Philippine Ballet Theater told Cebu Daily News the Carcar dancers showed group discipline.
He also cited the impact of the boy who acted as a music conductor during Carcar’s performance.
Huge musical notes were seen “flying” in mid-air as the group performed.
Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apur said the little boy was their “lucky charm.”
Kabkaban dancers executed a graceful and synchronized dance routine.
Kabkaban is a ritual dance believed to drive away bad spirits.
The term Kabkaban is taken from a type of fern that is abundant in Carcar.
With the inspiration of renowned dancer Val Sandiego, the Kabkaban is given much attention by Carcaranons and visitors.
It’s one of the highlights of Carcar’s fiesta in honor of its patroness, St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Caringal said judging was difficult since each town made an effort to portray their own product, livelihood and origin in their dance.
The board of judges took at least two hours to decide on the winners, whom they announced past 3 a.m. yesterday.
Apura said he was happy that they emerged as this year’s champion.
He said he remembered telling Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia in November last year that they aim to win.
He told reporters their physical education teacher Catherine Estenzo choreographed their contingent’s dance. Estenzo teaches in Carcar’s Valladolid High School and majored in dancing. /Carmel Loise Matus Correspondent