‘Pope’, airplane, comic heroes in students’ parade

First place in the elementary division – Pundok sa Kabataang Mananayaw sa Danao City presents their version of “Pinoy Superheroes”. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

A 20-foot model airplane as props and a  “Pope Francis” on stage were unique elements that made the Sinulog contingent of  Looc National High School of Asturias  stand out.

“They showed something new, different,”said  Josefina Guillen, chairman of the board of judges, after the afternoon parade of the  Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan for Cebu province youths.

The Asturias contingent  won first place with its clear elements of  this year’s theme of the  International Eucharistic Congress.

It bested Carcar City, which intially wowed the crowd with its grand sewing-inspired props and set pieces.

Tuburan, last year’s champion in the secondary division, won third place in the dance showdown.

Looc National High School of Asturias shows something new, a figure of Peope John Paul II, for a performance is enough to win first place. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

Around 15,000 witnessed nine performances from contingents in the province — three from the elementary division and six from the secondary division.

Notably absent were 2015 first placer, Opao Elementary School, and Talisay Elementary School.

Asturias opened its performance with a banner welcoming delegates from all over the world to the 51st IEC to be held in Cebu City shortly after the Sinulog celebration.

The backdrop gave way to children dressed as  nuns and priests.

Guillen, a frequent Sinulog judge,  said that was the first time she’s seen  that feature in an entry.

She  heads the national dance committee of the National Center for Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Dancers, in neon green and silver costumes, danced the traditional Sinulog– one step forward, two steps backward.

Carcar City Division wins second place in the secondary division, repeating last year’s victory. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

A large prop showing an airplane  took center stage during Asturias’s performance where “people of different nationalities,” carrying their  country flags, disembarked.

The highlight for  Guillen was the appearance of “Pope Francis” , whose white cassock , makeup and  prosthetics  gave an  uncanny resemblance.

“I was really happy that I saw a representation of the Pope and representations of different countries with their flags. This goes to show that Sto. Nino and the importance of Sinulog as a celebration is not enclosed in Cebu alone,” she said.

Asturias brought home P300,000 with an additional P20,000 for winning second place in the street dancing category and P30,000 for being second best in musicality.

Danao City’s entry had a backdrop of well-loved characters from Filipino “komiks” from one end of the stage to the other during the performance of the  Pundok sa Kabataang Mananayaw sa Danao City.

Naga Central School of Naga City wins second place in the elementary division. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

The  contingent was inspired by “Pinoy” superheroes and local folklore.   Danao City contingent brought home P350,000  for  first place in the elementary division , P50,000 as first prize in musicality, and P20,000 for being third best in street dancing.

“They leveled up in terms of performance, considering that they are still elementary and high school students,” said Guillen.

“The  performances weren’t just about veneration and thanksgiving to the Holy Child, but explored  different aspects of society.”

“I thought this was already the Grand Sinulog. Some of the performances, I feel, were for the Grand Sinulog,” she said.