Finesse of performers, clarity of story are keys to Carcar’s success in Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 

The Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City performs in the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2019 at the Cebu City Sports Center. CDN Digital photo | Gerard Vincent Francisco

Cebu City, Philippines—The goal was to make everyone appreciate the beauty of dance. 

The mission was successful when the Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City delivered a flawless performance during the ritual showdown of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2019 at Cebu City Sports Center on Sunday, August 25, 2019.

The Kabkaban Festival was named grand champion, besting 43 other contingents from different towns and cities of Cebu province.

It also bagged special awards which are Best in Festival Costume, Best in Festival Jingle, and Best in Street Dancing Competition. 

PHOTO GALLERY: Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2019 street dance parade begins

“Of course, I am very happy (with the results),” says Kathryn Estenzo, the artistic director for the Kabkaban Festival. 

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The Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City was number 43 at the official roster of the competing contingents.

Being the second to the last to perform supposedly posed a challenge for Estenzo since all other contingents have already showcased their routine and their large props. 

But Estenzo believes that the ritual showdown is a presentation of dance movements and not a presentation of props. 

This is why she came up with the idea to have limited props on stage so that the audience could appreciate the body movements and routine execution of the dancers.

“They can see the finesse of our performers, movement, and the clarity of the story. People could appreciate the dance and not the props,” she said. 

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Dealing with pressure

Estenzo admitted they felt the pressure knowing that Carcar City won the Sinulog Festival under Sinulog-based category in 2018 and 2019. 

This is why they didn’t let up in training, practicing everyday since July 15, 2019.  Their dance practices are done half days during weekdays and whole day on weekends. 

The team has 80 dancers who are all high school students. They have 100 props men who are mostly college students from Carcar City. 

Aside from Estenzo, there are also three others behind the winning performance. These are Carcaron dance choreographers Rolando S. Monto Jr, Pegie Cenita, and Davy Karl Noel. 

Carcar City already showed that they are the group to beat after their lead dancer, Marla Alforque, was crowned Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival Queen 2019 on Friday, August 23.

This is their second time to win the ritual showdown of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo after 2011. 

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Monto believes that their group is unique that made them win the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2019.

“Our aim was not just to win but to give the best performance. As what Mrs. Estenzo said, we should do our best because victory will just follow,” Monto added. 

The Kabkaban Festival is inspired by the word “kabkab or a kind of leaf which is abundant in the city.

The festival is being celebrated in honor of its patron saint, Sta. Catalina. 

Aside from the abundance of kabkab leaves, Carcar City is also dubbed as the “Heritage City of the South,” where arts and craftsmanship are also celebrated. 

The celebration of music was the highlight of their ritual showdown. 

Based on their ritual showdown, Carcar City takes pride of Carcaron singers who made names in the music industry like Ramon Abellana, Russel “Ching” Alegado, and Sheryn Regis. 

Since music was the highlight of their dance, props used during their showdown were musical instruments like double bass, electric guitar, and piano.

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A part of their performance also showed female dancers using microphones while singing.  Their music notes were also used as part of their background. 

Estenzo said that the concept was supposed to be reserved for the Sinulog Festival 2020. 

But when Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia announced the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo comeback, she also believed that it is time to showcase the Carcaranons’ contribution in the music scene of Cebu. 

“Mahimo man ganing garbo ang produkto. Why not himuong garbo sa usa ka syudad ang mga tawo?” she said.

(We take pride to local products. Why not also take pride in people who excel in the industry?)

After Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City, there were also nine other contingents that made it to the Top 10 winners for the ritual showdown.

These are Isda Festival of Madridejos (second place), Halad Inasal Festival of Talisay City (third place), Siloy Festival of Alcoy (fourth place), Sarok Festival of Consolacion (fifth place), La Torta Festival of Argao (sixth place), Dagitab Festival of Naga (seventh place), Kagasangan Festival of Moalboal (eight place), Bonga Festival of Sibonga (ninth place), and Rosquillos Festival of Liloan (tenth place). 

The criteria used during the ritual showdown were the theme, concept, and ritual (20 percent),  choreography (30 percent), over-all performance (30 percent), and costume and props (20 percent).

Judges in the competition were Peter A. De Vera, Chris B. Millado, Josefina B. Guillen, Shirley Halili Cruz, Marichu G. Tellano, Larry Gabao, Anne Divinagracia Sartorio, Franco M. Velas, Lordorio Vergara, and Rodel M. Fronda. 

So far, there are no specific details yet as of the prizes for the winners.

An award-winning ceremony will be held on Monday afternoon, August 26 at the Cebu City Sports Center. A repeat performance of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2019 winners is also expected.

The Pasigarbo sa Sugbo or dubbed as the “Festival of all Festivals” is the brainchild of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, which started in 2008.

The event aims to promote the culture and tourism of all towns and cities under Cebu province. /bmjo

Full list of winners

For Street Dancing Competition

1st place: Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City

2nd place: Lalin Festival of Asturias 

3rd place: Haladaya Festival of Daanbantayan 

4th place: Hinulawan Festival of Toledo City

5th place:  Sarok Festival of Consolacion

Special Awards

Best in Festival Costume: Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City

Best in Decorated Audio Van: Sarok Festival of Consolacion

Best in Andas: Panagtagbo Festival of Mandaue City

Best in Festival Jingle: Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City.