By Gideon C. Corgue
BAYOG, ZAMBOANGA DEL SUR –The scorching heat of the sun did not dampen the success of the street dance competition held at the municipal hall quadrangle here.
Performers, composed mostly of students from secondary public and private schools clad in their colorful attire, wearing headdress and replete with appropriate props, performed their respective dance/rituals commemorating the 47th founding anniversary of the municipality.
The street dance competition highlights the various activities of the festive anniversary celebration.
Dancers from 28 barangays were grouped into 6 clusters and performed tribal and ethnic dances in a 15-minute showdown before the huge cheering crowd witnessing the event.
Participating clusters were as follows: cluster 1- Tribu Magmamais, cluster 2 – Tribu Kalimudan, cluster 3-Mag-uuma , cluster 4- Tribu Ani-anihan, cluster 5 – Tribu Mag-uuma, and cluster 6-Tribu Magbubulak.
Participants were judged according to the following criteria: costume and props -20%; creativity and interpretation-25%; music and choreography -25%; gracefulness- 20%; and number of participants – 10%.
Mayor Leonardo Babasa Jr. in his message thanked the Almighty God for the continued abundant blessings enjoyed by the people and for sparing them from calamities.
Bayog is known for being rich in mineral deposits and considered the food basket of the province.
Babasa attributed the success of the celebration to the active support and cooperation, as well as the diligence demonstrated by the municipal and barangay officials and the local folks.”In unity, progress and development can be achieved,” he observed.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Juan Regala, in his message said the founding anniversary is a very important day to everyone because it is a reminder of God’s goodness to the municipality in the past and God’s sustaining provision through the years with the valuable contribution of local officials, concerned institutions and residents thereby spurring growth and development in the municipality.
This year’s winners are as follows: 1st prize winner- cluster 1 received P60k; 2nd, cluster -4 received P40k, and 3rd, cluster 2-received P20k.
Maricel Peduca of cluster 1 was also proclaimed as 2014 ‘Palad-Palad’ festival queen and awarded the prize of P5k.
