WONDER OF LIGHTS. Placido L. Senor Memorial National High School of barangay Langtad bags 4th place in the Dagitab Festival in Naga City, Cebu held on December 23. (CDN PHOTO/TONEE DESPOJO)
THOUSANDS of bright colored lights and dance contingents provided a spectacle in in the eighth annual Dagitab Festival last Wednesday in the city of Naga, south Cebu.
Naga Mayor Val Chiong said the Festival of Lights always highlighted the spirit of Christmas.
Dagitab which means light underscores Naga’s identity as home of major electric utility provider Korean Electric Company (Kepco).
Dance contingents competed in the night-time festival.
“Usually, eight schools participate. This year, there are ten contingents,” “said Arnulfo Omani, Naga tourism officer and festival overall director.
Some students practice at dawn to master their choreography.
Light rain showers didn’t slow down the parade.
“Last year it rained but the festival went on ,” said Omani.
Paramedics are standing by in case of accidents, a lesson learned after some dancers slipped on the wet stage last year.
“We have placed medical booths and there are security personnel roaming around the area,” he added.
The Naga city government provides cash prizes for the contest and a subsidy of P100,000 per contingent.
The street dancing competition started at 5 p.m., causing traffic along the national highway for motorists heading to the south of Cebu.
Steven Risdale, an Australian visitor, said he was amazed by the creativity.
“We usually see festivals happening in the morning and their props are magnificent,” he said.
Naga National High School (Tribung Masidlakong Dagitabnon) won first place with a P60,000 prize.
Uling National High School (Pundok Nagkahiusang Pamilya) and Balirong National High School (Lumad Balironganon) placed second and third, respectively.
Balirong National High School also won first place in the street dancing category followed by Naga National High School and Langtad National High School (Tribu Placidohanon).
Different nativity scenes or belen are displayed at the new oval of the Poblacion.
Salcon Power Corp. won first place in the Christmas Belen Competition followed by Kepco SPC and Cebu Sherilin Corp.