Hundreds of spectators witnessed the Haladaya Festival street dancing and grand showdown that highlighted the fiesta celebration of Daanbantayan town, northern Cebu last Sunday.
Eight clustered barangays of Daanbantayan joined the competion that started at 2 p.m. for the street dancing and 5 p.m. for the grand showdown.
Tribu Kasikas, composed of barangays Maya and Logon won first prize in the ritual showdown with a prize of P80,000 and first prize in street dancing with P30,000 cash prize. They were also awarded Best in Musicality and Best in Costume.
Tribu Tapicarna of barangays Tapilon and Karnasa placed second in the ritual showdown and in street dancing. The group received cash prizes of P70,000 and P20,000 respectively. The group was also named Best Disciplined Contingent, won second in Datu Daya with P2,000 cash and awarded Best in Costume for Datu Daya. Third placer Tribu Lumad Kandayan-on won P50,000 cash prize in the ritual showdown, and was declared the winner of Datu Daya 2015 with P5,000 cash prize.
Tribu Matibai composed of barangays Bateria, Malbago and Tinubdan won third place in the street dancing competition with P10,000 cash prize and first place in Datu Daya 2015 with P3,000 cash prize.
Tribu Bakhawanon composed of barangays Bakhawan, Paypay and Bito-on won as Solo Performer in the Datu Daya search.
Each contigent performed with at least 60 dancers and about 40 propsmen. Their dance presentation depicted the battle of Datu Daya and his men against the Spanish invaders in the town.
The Haladaya festival was offered to Sta. Rosa de Lima, patron saint of Daanbantayan.
Mayor Jose Esgana of Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island, who witnessed the celebration, expressed interest to participate in next year’s festival. “I am always amazed of how Haladaya is presented and how people patronize it,” he said.
Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro said the festival is an indication of a strong culture and tradition which the town has been able to preserve.
“After we rise from the effects of typhoon Yolanda, it’s now time to express our gratitude especially to those who helped us,” Corro said.