• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
The celebration of the Municipality of Hinoba-an of its 67th Anniversary and 26th Pagbana-ag Huba-Huba Festival reached its thrilling conclusion on April 26, with Barangay Bacuyangan being crowned grand champion of this year’s festival dance competition.
The annual festival, known for its lively street parades and high-energy dance showdowns, once again transformed the municipality of Hinoba-an in Negros Occidental into a vibrant spectacle of color, music, and community pride. Barangay Bacuyangan’s performers impressed the judges with their precise choreography, synchronized movements, and creative interpretation of the festival’s theme “One Hinoba-an”. Their excellence extended beyond the main stage, as the group also earned the minor award for Best in Street Dancing, recognizing their standout performance on the street.
For their victory, Barangay Bacuyangan received a P25,000 cash prize and the championship trophy—a well-deserved reward for weeks of dedicated practice and teamwork.
The entry of Barangays Pook and Dos was named first runner-up. The group received P20,000 cash and a runner-up trophy. What set them apart was their remarkable sweep of the minor categories: they took home Best in Showdown, Best in Costume Design, Best in Concept, Best in Production Design, and Best in Choreography, receiving an additional P3,000 cash for each award. This impressive haul highlighted the group’s attention to detail, from their visually stunning costumes to their innovative dance narrative.
Barangays Culipapa and Sangke secured second runner-up honors. The group received P15,000 cash and a runner-up trophy, rounding out the top three finishers in this year’s fiercely contested dance competition.
The festival highlight was attended by Mayor Daph Anthony Reliquias, Candoni Municipal Mayor Ray Ruiz, and 6th District Board Member Genaro Alvarez IV. They were joined by municipal and barangay officials, as well as Municipal Tourism Officer Designate and Festival Director Oscar Tilos. Their presence underscored the importance of the festival as a platform for cultural preservation and local tourism development.
This year’s competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges, each bringing expertise from various fields of tourism, arts, and media. The judges were Candoni Municipal Tourism Operations Officer Karl King Esmeralda, Sipalay City Tourism officer Jerick Lacson, Cauayan Municipal Tourism Officer Mark Canobis, creative director of ArkyPilaGo Rey Leones, and photojournalist and writer Andrew Altarejos.
Their diverse backgrounds ensured a fair and comprehensive assessment of each entry’s choreography, production value, costume design, and overall performance quality.
Now in its 26th year, the Pagbana-ag Huba-Huba Festival remains a cornerstone of Hinoba-an’s cultural identity. The festival not only showcases the creativity and athleticism of participating barangays but also strengthens community bonds and promotes the municipality as a destination for cultural tourism. With another successful edition in the books, local officials and residents alike look forward to an even grander celebration next year.*
