• ROGER D. BELTRAN
The municipality of Ilog in the southern part of the province of Negros Occidental celebrated its 22nd Kisi-Kisi Festival after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception in 1999, Kisi-Kisi Festival is observed every March 25 of the year.
One of this year’s highlights was the Kisi-Kisi Festival dance showdown wherein the barangay performers imitate the movement of aquatic creatures like prawns and fish, crabs and the like – as all these and more are the major products of the municipality.
“Kisi-kisi” is a Hiligaynon term for the fast movement of crustaceans such as fish, prawns, crabs and shrimps.
The group from Barangays Andulauan and Delicioso, under Brgy. Captains Romar Cabral and Rex Colimbo, respectively, was declared as this year’s dance showdown champion besting seven other entries. They took home P40,000 in cash prize.
Choreographed by Joren Laudit, the group also bagged the Best in Choreography and Best in Costume, each with P5,000 in cash prize. Their costumes were designed by GC James Bancolo.
The entry of Barangays Canlamay, Balicotoc and Pinggot, under Brgy. Captains Rommel Ciokon, Mark Joseph Valenciano and Raul Panes, respectively, was first runner-up and received P30,000 in cash prize. The group was choreographed by Reynan Garaygay and the costume designer was Gerald Fernandez.
The second runner-up was Barangay I under Brgy. Captain Marnel Lirazan. The group was choreographed by Peter Montalvo and their costumes were designed by Richard Anian. The group took home P20,000 in cash.
Meanwhile, the group composed of Barangays II and Manalad won the Best in Headdress award and received P5,000 in cash.
Other activities held during the duration of the festival from March 22-25 were Food Festival, Agro Fair, SK Federation Night, Social Welfare Day, Children’s Day, Dog Show, Mardi Gras sa Kalsada, Foam Party, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks Display, and live performance by Rocksteddy band. There were also sports events like Futsal Festival, Basketball Tournament, and Mountain Bike Race, among others.
The municipality of Ilog is under the leadership of Mayor John Paul Alvarez.*
