Dumaguete all set for Kabulakan Festival

Five barangays of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental are ready to compete for the best street dancing and showdown team on May 21 in this year’s 5th Kabulakan Festival.

Barangays Bagacay, Bantayan, Camanjac, Candau-ay and Taclobo were given P140,000 seed money from the city government for props and other expenses.

First-place winner will receive P30,000, second placer will get P20,000 and third placer, P10,000, said Community Affairs officer Syril Repe.

Contingent will choose a flower endemic to the city as the theme and symbol their dance interpretation presentation, Repe said.

There will be minor awards for best in street dancing, best in costume, best float, king and queen.

Repe said showbiz personalities Isabelle Ole, Mark Strong and Nick Colleta will participate in the activities.

The street dancing around the city will start at 4 p.m. Showdown opens at 6 p.m. at the City Hall quadrangle.

This yearly event kicked off on May 3, featuring various activities all throughout the month of May, including the flower arrangement competition last May 7, the agro fair on May 19 and the barangay- and school-based tree planting activity on May 23.

This year’s festival has the theme “Nagpakabana, Nagamping sa Bahandi sa Kinaiyahan,” which focuses on the environment and protection of natural treasures in the city.

Local and foreign tourists are invited to the celebration.