Cebuanos showcase Sinulog festival on PH Independence Day Parade in New York
Hanna Quiamco Diluvio wears a blue ball gown covered with feathers as she leads a contingent of Cebuanos dancing to the beat of the Sinulog during the 121st Philippine Independence Day parade in New York City on June 2.| Contributed photo: Yetbo Loverita FB page
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Sinulog Festival is the pride of Cebuanos across the globe.
Helen Kwong LaBarbera, president of the Cebuanos Engaging in Building Unity, Inc. – Tribu Cebuano, confirmed to CDN Digital that their group recently won the 2019 Street Dance Competition last June 2 during the 121st Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City.
The Cebuanos Engaging in Building Unity, Inc. – Tribu Cebuano bested more than 110 contingents representing different organizations.
Their lead dancer Hanna Quiamco Diluvio shared that participating in the parade was such a joyful experience.
“We have a lot of Filipino devotees diri for Santo Niño and showcasing it sa parade made everyone very excited,” Diluvio told CDN Digital.
(It is such a joyful experience. We have a lot of Filipino devotees for Santo Niño and showcasing it during the parade made everyone very excited.)
During their dance presentation, Filipinos who were part of the crowd were screaming, “Pit Senyor!”
“It was a very proud moment. New York City had a memorable day experiencing Cebuano’s tradition and culture,” she said.
The choreography for the street dance competition was a collaboration of LaBarbera, Diluvio, and Shiran Ybanez.
Instead of using live drum beats, the performers used the Sinulog Festival’s official jingle.
Dancers’ blue and green costume were designed by LaBarbera, Ybanez, and Allan Fernandez.
Their main goal of showcasing the Sinulog Festival in New York is to make it big and popular in the United States of America (USA).
The Cebuano dancers’ costumes are designed by Helen Kwong LaBarbera, Hanna Quiamco Diluvio and Shiran Ybanez.| Photo courtesy of Kristian Sese
Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 inspired costume
Diluvio is a former member of Cebu City’s Dancesport Team.
The 29-year-old Cebuana has been living in New York for six years. She works as a make-up artist and a dance teacher.
She was wearing a blue ball gown costume inspired from Sinulog Festival Queen 2019 Nicole Borromeo designed by Cebuano designer Orville Biongcog.
Read more: Nicole Borromeo of Carcar City: Sinulog Festival Queen 2019
Blue feathers were used to cover her blue ball gown which weighs 10 kilograms.
“Orville is such a creative genius. I ask him to do a peacock inspired festival queen costume. After few days, he presented me the sketch and it was so beautiful,” Diluvio said.
The Cebuana dancer and make-up artist noticed that spectators including the Americans were amazed by describing the costume as magical.
“His design is really made for the world to see. Mao proud jud ko in presenting it here in New York,” she said.
(His design is really made for the world to see. That is why I am proud to present it here in New York.) /dbs
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