The Lumad Basakanon of San Nicolas is asking P1.6 million in monetary aid from the Cebu City government so they can join this year’s Aliwan festival. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Lumad Basakanon, the champion in the Sinulog 2014’s Free Interpretation category, wants to make a comeback in the Aliwan Festival which is slated from April 24 to 26 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City.
The Basakanons were installed in the Aliwan Festival’s Hall of Fame after winning in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The dancers from barangay Basak San Nicolas asked the Cebu City government for a P1.6-million financial assistance to cover the travel and meal expenses of 300 dancers, instrumentalists and propsmen.
Their budget request, contained in Councilor Nendell Hanz Abella’s proposed resolution last March 12, was referred to the committee on budget and finance.
Sinulog executive director Ricky Ballesteros wrote Mayor Michael Rama in February to endorse the Lumad Basakanons as the city’s representatives in this year’s Aliwan Festival National Street Dancing Competition.
The event is participated in by various contingents from all over the country.
“Any financial assistance…will be highly appreciated,” Ballesteros stated in his letter.
The 2Go Group Inc. will provide two air-conditioned buses to transport the Basakanons to and from the Aliwan venue. The shipping company is also giving free round trip ride for a wing van that will transport their props to the Aliwan festival, and a 40-percent discount on one-way boat fare of the 300 Basakanons.
“Once again, the Sinulog Festival Contingent’s multi-awarded, locally and nationally recognized hall of famer and the only grand slam titleholder in the Aliwan Festival history, the Tribu Lumad Basakanon in the City of Cebu wishfully intends to participate gratefully and competitively (in) the coming Aliwan Festival 2014 in Metro Manila. Economy and tourism wise, this festival upon the power of gathering among our diverse Filipino tradition and promoting indigenous cultures, we are also internationally spreading out our worship to our miraculous Señor Santo Niño de Cebu,” choreographers Norman and Dennis Navarro said in a February 3 letter to Rama.
The P1.6 million assistance they are asking for will be spent on their meals (P765,000), fares (P594,000) and other expenses (P298,000).
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