Ibalong fest brings cheer to city damaged by ‘Glenda’

LEGAZPI CITY—A street dance competition with six contingents from different schools all over the Bicol region paraded in this city’s streets on Saturday, wearing masks and costumes made from native materials while dancing to drum beats and chants.

The celebration closed the city’s monthlong Ibalong Festival.

The tilt highlighted vital chapters of the Bicol epic Ibalong, which is about Handyong and his warriors who went to Bicol, formerly known as Ibalon, to wage a war against the monsters and beasts ravaging the region’s natural resources.

The street dancers imitated the appearances of the epic’s folk heroes—Handyong, Baltog and Bantong—and other ancient heroes and villains as they portrayed classic battles from the epic.

Ligao City’s contingent, adjudged best in street dance, got the grand prize of P300,000 and another P50,000 for being named best in ritual dance exhibition.

Tiwi Central School from Tiwi town, Albay province, named first runner-up, got P200,000 and was best in music and sounds.

Tribung Oragon from Legazpi City, second runner-up, took home P100,000.

Gallanosa National High School from Irosin town, Sorsogon province; Laganac National High School from Balatan town, Camarines Sur province, and Tribung Tabaknon from Tabaco City also joined the traditional street dance competition, which started on Rizal Street, around a kilometer away from the City Hall, and ended on

Peñaranda Street in the city’s downtown area, where the central business district is located.

In 2013, the epic, which was adapted for stage by playwright Rody Vera and known artists, was presented through a dance-theater musical in the city after its staging in Manila by Tanghalang Pilipino.

Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal told the Inquirer that the annual Ibalong Festival brought cheer to families in the city, some of whose homes were damaged by Typhoon “Glenda” in July. At least 3,310 families, or 136,852 persons, were evacuated in the region due to the typhoon, according to the records of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol.

Rosal said that instead of being discouraged after the typhoon, Legazpeños became even more hopeful and this was shown in their participation in the festival.

The Ibalong Festival that started on Aug. 3 featured the first Mt. Mayon Triathlon on Aug. 10, with more than 200 local and international triathletes joining. A number of local and national traders also showcased their unique products and cuisine in a weekend food festival at Legazpi Boulevard.

Youth art exhibits, stage shows and a beauty pageant also sought to promote Legazpi as the “City of Fun and Adventure” during the festival. Legazpi City, which recently hosted big conventions, is targeting to be one of the Top 5 convention destinations in Luzon.