• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The City of Talisay concluded its 10-day celebration of the 25th Minulu-an Festival with a street and arena dance drama competition held at the Talisay public plaza in Talisay City, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.
Seven clustered barangays participated in this year’s competition. Sitio Sampok-Maradula, Contingent No.1, composed of barangays Concepcion and Cabatangan, and Don Hilarion G. Gonzaga Memorial High School was declared this year’s overall champion.
They received the championship trophy and a P210,000 cash prize, and also bagged special awards, including Best in Street Dance, Best in Fight Scene, Best in Performance, Best in Costume, and Best in Choreography. They also took several minor awards such as Best in Costume Designer, Best Lead Banner, Best Kapitan Sabi in Character, Best Choreographer, and Most Disciplined Cluster.
Sitio Hermania, Contingent No. 3, composed of Barangay Dos Hermanas and Dr. Antonio A. Lizares Memorial High School was the first runner-up and received a runner-up trophy and P150,000 in cash prize. It also took home special and minor awards, including Best in Production Design and Best Production Designer.
Meanwhile Sitio Katunggan, Contingent No.2, composed of barangays Zone 1, 2, 3, 5, Bubog, and Inocencio V. Ferrer Memorial School of Fisheries, was the second runner-up, and received a runner-up trophy and P90,000 in cash prize. It also took home the Best in Rhythm special award.
Present during the event were Talisay City Mayor Nilo Jesus Antonio Lizares III, Vice Mayor Nic Jalandoni, first lady Atty. Rowena Lizares, Board Member Manman Ko, and Congresswoman Camille Villar.
The festival highlight coincides with the patronal fiesta of the city’s patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino.*
