Sorsogon City festival sways to dance of doves

PARTICIPANTS of the Pantomina street dancing sway to the music being played along Sorsogon City streets on Friday during the Kasanggayahan Festival. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

SORSOGON CITY, Philippines—Thousands of people flocked to the streets on Friday to witness performers clad in traditional, colorful barong and baro’t saya, dance the “courtship of doves” during the “Pantomina sa Tinampo,” the highlight of the 10-day Kasanggayahan (Prosperity) Festival.

Eight contingents, mostly teachers, danced the pantomina, along the parade route.

Darrel Gonzalez, a Sorsogon native now based in Edmonton, Canada, came with his fiancée Alexis Heidebrecht “just to let her experience the pride of the province.”

“I was impressed of the dancing. It’s very beautiful and (it creates a) good atmosphere …. They’re talented, I love it,” Heidebrecht said.

Sorsogon’s pantomina, though considered a traditional ballroom number, is different from those danced in other Bicol provinces, said Renato Olbes, provincial tourism officer.