Wazzup Pilipinas!
Here are the winners for the street dance competition! 🎉
MAIN AWARDS
✔️
Aliwan 2018 Street Dance Champion
#16 Kasadyaan Festival
2nd Place Winner
#7 Manggahan Festival
3rd Place Winner
#12 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival
✔️4th Place Winner
#10 Meguyaya Festival
5th Place Winner
#1 Binirayan Festival
✔️
✔️
✔️5 Runners-up
#17 Pandang Gitab Festival
#11 Bato Art Festival
#3 Pandan Festival
#8 Panagbenga Festival
#14 Abrenian Kawayan Festival
SPECIAL AWARDS
✔️Best Music
#16 Kasadyaan Festival
✔️Best Costume
#7 Manggahan Festival
✔️Pride of Place Award
#14 Abrenian Kawayan Festival
The province of Antique, known for its tagline “where
the mountains meet the sea,” mirrors the rare resources and diverse ways of living in the
countryside. First-time participants in
Aliwan, the town of Caluya traces the story of one man who sources out his
living in the middle of the night, exploring the dense waters so he can bring home palatable viands for his
family. Amid lush green coconut trees,
we are introduced to the Antiqueños’ delicacy – the tatus or coconut crabs,
along with other flora and fauna,. They
also highlight the famous hand-woven patadyong, with its multi-colored hues,
the crystal clear waterfalls and mystical rivers that speak of intertwined
beliefs and traditions. In the quaint
greeting “kruhay” welcoming visitors to Antique, we are embraced buy a warm and generous
people. Represented by Tribu Tatusan –
here is Antique’s Binirayan festival!
In 1991, a group of native
aborigines called Aetas feld the mountains of Iba after the devastation brought
about by ther volcanic eruption of Mt.
Pinatubo. They lost their homes and
livelihood. Their faces reflected their
sorrow asnd hopelessness. As they
travlled, their leader “Mang:” and his wife “Ga” saw some seeds scattered along
the path. Awed by what they found, they
called their tribesmen, to gather the seeds.
When they reached the town of Iba, they were given land to till and live
inb. They planted the seeds they
gathered, which, after several years, grew and produced much fruit that were
smooth, big, and very sweet. They called
this “Mangga” after their chieftain and his wife. Their children were named “Dina” and “Mulag”
– children who were much bigger than normal aetas. From then on, they called the fruit
Dinamulag. The mango variant became
known all over and eventually provided economic prosperity to the town. Every year, they give thanks for the abundant
harvest and to their patron St. Augustine.
From Iba, Zambales – the Dinamulag
Mango Festival!
The need to revitalize the
municipality of Mapandan in Pangasinan brought forth the town’s Pandan festival. A brainchild of their former Mayor Jose
Ferdinand Calimlim Jr, who is now Vice Governor of the province, it has
inspired the townsfolk to discover and develop artistic talent while promoting
the pandan industry, thereby creating more jobs and generating greater income
by enticing investors. The different
barangays take part, strengthening their
unified effort to assert their identity and independence as a community. The champion goes on to take part in other
provincial competitions as well as in festivals throughout region 1. Represented by Tribu Pandan, let us witness the Pandan festival !
Every month of April, the municipality of Balud in
Masbate celebrates its agro-industrial fair featuring the Pangumagat festival. The
term is derived from the words “panguma” meaning “farming,” and “panagat” which
means “fishing.” Since the place is
surrounded by water, most of its townsfolk are fishermen. Adventurous, strong, and self-reliant, they
are proud of the richness of the ocean, and their excitement after a good catch
brings out their sense of humor and cheerful disposition. Farmers, in turn, feel a lot of joy with the
scent of abundant farmland. Tourists are
also drawn to the spectacular glassy surface of the water and the shimmering
white sand of its beaches, complimented by the gentle breeze aglow with
fireflies at dusk. Their thanksgiving
feast honors the Almighty for His unceasing guidance and bountiful blessings. Here is the Pangumagat Tribe presenting the Pangumagat festival!
The Dumagat are one of the ethno-linguistic groups in
the Philippines, sharing the same roots as Aetas, Mangyan, and Negritos. Studying the Dumagat allows us to trace our
anthropological history as they were among the first groups of people who
crossed land bridges in Asia. The term
“dumagat” comes from the term “rumakat” or “lumakad,” meaning “to walk, ”
indicating that they arrived by land and not by sea. They are now divided into two -- the remontados or fair-skinned Negrito
mestizos, and the pure Agta who live in the mountains of the Sierra Madre and
in populous towns of Rizal and Quezon provinces. There is a big Dumagat population in the town
of Montalban, also known as Rodriguez, Rizal -- whose culture is based on
hunting, farming, and fishing. Dumagat
people are very loving, have a strong sense of community, and care a lot for
mother nature, on whom they depend for their survival. Ladies and gentlemen – the Rodriguez Dumagat festival !
The term Dulansangan is a contraction of the phrase “dula sa
lansangan,” referring to the street theater performances which are part of the
annual Fiesta Republica, celebrated by the city of Malolos on January 23. Dulansangan begins with a parade about the
Malolos Congress. The different
participants come from various towns in Bulacan and other places throughout the
country that figured prominently in our struggle for independence. The groups portray various events that
happened in their respective areas,
within the realm of history. Dulansangan aims to remind audiences of our
nationhood, and the important role that
Malolos played in the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. Please welcome Fiesta Republica!
Guimaras is an island province southeast of Panay, and
northwest of Negros in Western Visayas.
It is blessed with white sand beaches, vast agricultural land, a
panoramic view of the hills, picturesque coves, and offshore islets. It consists of five municipalities – Jordan,
Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, Sibunga, and San Lorenzo. It is known for its Manggahan festival, a
yearly celebration anchored on the bountiful mangoes dubbed as the sweetest in
the world. The festival’s representatives portray dances featuring several steps
involved in rice farming and mango production.
It also depicts the development of the province into a must-see
destination. With its tagline being “the
province that fits your taste,” Guimaras takes pride in presenting Hubon
Mangunguma for the Manggahan festival!
Panagbenga is a month-long flower festival
celebrated in Baguio every year, in thanksgiving to the Almighty Kabunyian for
a bountiful harvest. The term is
of Kankanaey origin, meaning "time to
bloom". Held in February, the festival is highlighted by a parade of
floats that are covered mostly with flowers, and a streetdancing competition
anchored on an Ibaloi dance
of celebration. Aside from boosting the
economy through tourism, the festival is offered to the people with the
ultimate goal of imparting the culture and heritage of the Cordilleras. Depicted by this year’s champion St Louis
University – the Panagbenga
festival!
One of the most popular tourism events in Bacoor, Cavite is the
Bakood festival – an annual celebration in honor of the town’s patron saint St
Michael the Archangel. Spiced with a
generous dose of service-oriented and fun-filled events, it instills a sense of pride among townsfolk. The highlight is the grandest marching band
parade in the country, featuring 55 ensembles, which gave Bacoor the reputation
as the Marching Band Capital of the Philippines. The name Bacood, derived from “bakod” - the
Tagalong word for fence - alludes to its role as a former suburb of Paranaque,
and constituting the boundary between Kawit and Silang. Bacood used to be covered with thick groves
of bamboo from what is now Zapote, Las Piñas to sitio Talaba. A visit to the town is a real treat, with
superb gastronomic delights such as fresh oysters, 101 ways of cooking mussels
called tahong, and the famous Digman halo-halo. Here is Teatro Baile de Bacoor presenting
the Bakood festival!
Meguyaya is a teduray term for thanksgiving for the
bountiful harvest, which the people of Upi, Maguindanao celebrate
annually. Their god Tulos, the great
spirit who created all things, abundantly blessed their land with verdant
mountains, fertile soil, and a cooler climate.
The town produces acres and acres of corn, as far as the eyes can see –
from the plains to the mountainsides.
However, one day, worms attacked their cornfields, and stalk borers left
them devastated. Using traditional
clappers and native rituals, they tried eradicating the pests but failed. With the help of Christian settlers and
modern farming methods, they learned to use organic pesticides, bringing back
the bountiful harvests. From Bagabungan
National High School, please welcome the Meguyaya
festival!
The local government of Luna, Isabela brings us an old Ilocano
tradition revitalizing an appeasement ritual called “Atang”. Even among the sophisticates, there persists
a belief in the existence of dwarves called
“kaibaan” or “ansisit,” – tiny, unseen spirits that proliferate among
trees, rocks, and abandoned places, who, when befriended, exercise mythical powers like cooking endless
supplies of rice for humans. When
harmed, even innocuously, through a careless act when passing through their
domain, they cause rashes or irksome maladies.
When this happens, a healer called “mang-aatang” is asked to cure
the illness through a ritual offering
using grated coconut, husks, shells, or even poultry and
cigarettes. Garbed in the famous abel
iloko while celebrating life and bounty, here is Tribu Antatet depicting “Atang” for the Bato Art festival!
Inspired by the richness of the culture and heritage
of Panay, this group zealously conceptualized the barter of Panay with grandeur
and fervor, reenacting history in a confluent pageantry of color, music, and
dance. The early inhabitants called the
Ati indulged in hunting, fishing, and foraging edible plants from the
wild. Living in close-knit communities,
they were ruled by the chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Manluantiuan. Interaction with other ethnic groups changed
their way of living, especially when introduced to the concept of trade. The arrival of the 10 Bornean datus led by
Datu Puti first terrified the
inhabitants of Panay, but initially agreed to barter their land for a golden
salakot. Manluantiuan also asked for the
golden necklace of Datu Puti’s wife, in exchange for a cavan of crabs, a wild
boar, and fully grown deer. With the
arrival of the Spaniards and the introduction to the devotion to the Holy
Infant Jesus, the Atis’ expression of thanksgiving took on an added dimension. From Iloilo City National High School, here
is Tribu Panayanon for the Iloilo
Dinagyang festival!
From the words,
“niyog”and”yugyog,” the Niyogyugan
Festival combines all the colourful
fiestas of the different towns in Quezon Province. Celebrating the “Tree of Life,” Niyogyugan
pays tribute to the coconut industry’s glorious past, which bore fruit in the
form of lambanog distilleries, oil millers, heritage houses, and the vast
resort-plantations. The provincial government created the festival to move, shake and bring back the vigor and
dynamism of the industry and to promote the products, places, talent and
creativity of Quezonians. Crowd-drawing
activities such as the Sayaw ng Niyog,
Karosa ng Niyog, the Bb. Niyogyugan, and the booth competition add excitement
to the week-long provincial fiesta. With
the performance of the Hambujan Dancers of Dolores, Quezon… please welcome the Niyogyugan festival!
The Abrenian Kawayan
festival is celebrated by the province of Abra in March to commemorate its
founding anniversary. Focussing on
Abra’s most abundant product – the bamboo – it showcases Ilocano and Itneg, or
Tingguian, cultures and traditions. Over
the years, the Tingguian have stayed in the mountains to preserve their culture. But they have literally crossed mountains and
rivers to persevere in getting an education until they become professionals,
and subsequently return to their communities to help their tribe. Challenged by socio-economic and
technological advancements, they remain grateful for their roots. Here is Tribu Dangdang-ay proclaiming “Raniag!
Ragsak! Abiag! Asenso Abreño” through the Abrenian-Kawayan festival!
The progressive town of Atimonan lies on the western shore of the
province of Quezon, bound by flourishing gifts of nature and the abundance of
Lamon Bay. The creation of the Tagultol
Fishing Festival 15 years ago brought new vigor to Atimonan’s cultural
awareness, as well as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty and the town’s
patroness Nuestra Señora de los Angeles for the bountiful catch received by
fisherfolk. The festival shows the old
fishing method of “ugtol,” a Tagalog word meaning “bounce”. Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular
stone tied to a piece of abaca string dipped in honey to make it more resilient
in salt water. The original music was
composed by Francisco Laude, founder of Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at
Sining sa Atimonan. Please welcome the Atimonan Community
Dancers’ portrayal of the Tagultol
Fishing festival!
In the central part of the island of Leyte is a tribe
covering 77 communities that live in a land of lush forests and mountain
ranges. Their first datu was named
Duygon, and he was the son of a Moro businessman from Mindanao named Dawog, who
married a lovely lady named Isak. Upon
the baptism of Reyna Juana and Rajah Humabon of Cebu, Christianity spread
throughout the Visayas. Jesuit
missionaries came to Leyte, converting Dawog and Isak. Duygon was baptized and gifted with an image
of the Sto Niño.
He became enamored of a gracious lady named Pitik Mingaw, but jealous
men caused his early death. Pitik Mingaw
was heartbroken and wandered through the forest, until she became weak and near
death herself, praying to the Holy Child for help. Suddenly, a huge eagle flew over her,
warbling “Buraburon, buraburon,” and leading her to a giant spring, which they
call “burabod.” Hence, the town of
Burauen is known as the spring capital of Leyte. Chanting Viva Senor Santo Nino, here is Tribu
Buraburon for Leyte’s Kasadyaan
festival!
Pandanggitab comes from the fusion of the words
Pandanggo – or Dance – and Dagitab – which means “spark, or the light of
electricity.” They represent the
lanterns that Mindoro women use to send their menfolk off when they go fishing. Their bobbing lights call out to the
fishermen when they are out in the dark ocean as symbols of hope and good
luck. As a dance form, the pandanggo sa
ilaw utilises oil lamps held by the dancers in glasses balanced on their heads
and on the back of each hand. From
Calapan, Oriental Mindoro comes the Pandang
Gitab festival!
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
