• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
Seven clustered Barangays participated in this year’s Pasaway Handurawan Festival dance competition in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on December 20.
Entry number 6, SANTUGENA, composed of clustered Barangays Canturay, Cartagena, and San Jose was declared champion in the arena dance category.
It received a championship trophy, certificate, and P50,000 in cash prize. It also bagged special awards, including Best in Production Design, Best in Concept, Best in Costume, and Best in Choreography. Taking home a certificate, trophy and P5,000 cash for each special award. The contingent also placed 3rd in the street dance category and received a certificate, trophy and P10,000 in cash prize.
Entry no.3, MARCABULAO, composed of Barangays Maricalum, Cayhagan, and Nabulao was first runner-up and received a certificate and trophy, and P40,000 in cash prize.
Entry no.7, UNDOSCO, composed of Barangays I, II, and V was second runner-up and received a certificate, trophy and P30,000 in cash prize. It also bagged a special award as Best Cluster Banner with a certificate, trophy and P5,000 in cash prize.
Entry no.5, MONHANG, composed of Barangays Nauhang, and Gil Montilla was first place in the street dance category and received a certificate, trophy and P15,000 in cash prize. It was also awarded the Most Discipline group, and received a certificate, trophy and P5,000 in cash prize.
Entry no.4, QUATRES, composed of Barangays III, and IV was second place in the street dance category and received a certificate, trophy, and P13,000 in cash prize. It also won the Best Choreographer and Best Choreographer’s showdown group and received a certificate and P5,000 in cash prize. While Entry no. 2, MAMBADIANGAN, composed of Barangays Mambaroto and Cabadiagan won the Best in Festival Costume Design award and received a certificate, trophy and P5,000 in cash prize.
Sipalay City Mayor Gina Lizares, during the arena dance competition, thanked all the clustered barangays for their participation in the successful staging of its fiesta this year. A festival workshop for choreographers was also held a month earlier to improve the performances of each competing group in the dance festival.
Also present during the event were Sipalay City officials, 6th District Board member Jeffrey Tubola, festival director and committee chairman Joan Sayson, and city tourism office Jerick Lacson.
The City of Sipalay concluded the 5-day celebration of its Pasaway Handurawan Festival and 76th founding anniversary with a street and arena dance competition, and concert at the Mayor Rodrigo Chua Memorial Gymnasium (Sipalay City gym). A grand fireworks display capped the festivities by midnight at the poblacion beach witnessed by thousands of Sipalaynons Friday.*
