Placer, Abuyog reflect on their win

Tribu Himag-Ulaw, Placer Masbate is the 3rd place winner in the FI category. (CDN PHOTO/ LITO TECSON)

The bounty of  a sugarcane harvest in a make-believe “Hacienda Placer” was the theme of the winning dance contingent from Placer, Masbate in the 2015 Sinulog in Cebu City.

The town from the Bicol region retained its title as grand prize winner in the Sinulog-based category for 2015.

The audience was treated to a visual surprise of blue and red LED lights  embedded in props of colorful flowers, umbrellas, and a tabernacle.

“I say thank you to Señor Sto. Niño and Divine Providence for being able to put up this presentation for his glory and to entertain all the people,” said Victor Cuenco, their Cebu choreographer.

With the audience expecting more from last year’s performance, he said they used LED lights for a “triple effect”.

“The level of expectation is is very high so we have to rise to reach that,” he said.

Contest guidelines require each entry to depict Filipino culture and tradition, and use the Sinulog beat. Half of the 100 member-contingent is allotted for percussionists to ensure the use of live music.

Almost four months were spent brainstorming the concept, coming up with set designs, audition for dancers and rehearsals.

Typhoon Seniang affected practice sessions.

“We had one week of no practice. We finished the dance on January 5 a week before Christmas,” said Cuenco.

Fortunately, props were made in Cebu and not exposed to typhoon damage. It took them one month to install the LED lights.

On stage, dancers depicted a a rural community enjoying a bounty harvest of sugarcane, for which Placer municipality used to be known. In a fiesta celebration for thanksgiving, the lead dancer was Glaiza Jane Lanete,  wife of Mayor Joshur Judd Lanete II, joined by officials of the provincial government.

Mayor Lanete said Placer would join the Sinulog again in Cebu next year.

“We don’t come expecting a victory. We see this as an offering, not competition,” he said.

Aside from the grand prize, the Kulturang  Placereño won 3rd place in the Street Dance category.

According to the mayor, they spent P1.5 to P2 million budget for the production.

Another dance contingent from Placer town, Tribu Himag-Ulaw bagged third place in the Free Interpretation category.

More artistic leeway is given here but the emphasis of the production should still be the concept of prayer in dance, according to contest judges.

It was a good comeback after four years for Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog, Leyte, which was declared the grand prize winner for 2015.

They showcased their Buyogan Festival. Dancers dressed as bees in orange and black costumes emerged from a honeycomb to play. A giant praying mantis appeared and wounded one of the bees.

Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog Leyte, the overall winner in the free interpretation category

At one point, a boy dancer was carried overhead as the wounded bee was presented to the Señor Sto Niño for healing. The celebration breaks out as bees thank the Sto. Niño for the miracle.

Ferniel Palang, their Cebuano choreographer, said that they started screening dancers in the second week of September.

Dance routines were introduced at the end of October. Practice started after students finished class and lasted until 10 p.m with dinner served to the dancers.

Large props of  sunflowers and violets were part of the colorful set design.

The last time that they joined Sinulog Grand Parade in 2011, the group won second place.

This year, aside from being the grand winner for the Free Interpretation Category, the group was named Best in Musicality and 4th place for the Best in Street Dance.

Palang, who is a Sto. Niño devotee, said he prayed for guidance before coming up with the concept. They have also been using the same icon of the Holy Child  for eight years during Sinulog Grand Parade.

Palang said he bought the image from a child vendor outside the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Abuyog Mayor Octavio Trayo Jr. said they hope to return to Cebu next year to participate again in the Sinulog.