• ANDREW ALTAREJOS
Tribu Sicablun Quatro successfully defended its title, securing a back-to-back championship at the 52nd Dinagsa Festival Street Dance Competition in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental on January 25.
The tribe, representing clustered Barangays Zone 4, Luna, and Sicaba, delivered a dominant performance, sweeping all minor awards including Best in Costume, Best in Sound/Rhythm, Best in Performance, Best in Choreography, and Most Disciplined.
Individual awards were also garnered by the tribe’s choreographer, Ronie Besana, as Best Local Choreographer, Bobet Duplian as Best Sound Composer, and Michael Balquin as Best Local Costume Designer.
Having also triumphed last year, Tribu Sicablun Quatro previously represented Cadiz City in the Best of Festival Dances competition at the Panaad sa Negros Festival.
For its victory, the tribe received P200,000 cash prize and the championship trophy, along with an additional P10,000 for each of its minor awards.
Other tribes named as runners-up were Tribu Tinambi Tres, composed of Barangays Tinampaan, Zone 3, and Mabini, which was adjudged first runner-up and received P150,000 cash prize. Tribu Tibanda composed of Barangays Banquerohan, Tiglawigan, and Daga, was second runner-up and received P100,000 in cash.
Meanwhile, third runner-up was awarded to Tribu Bacud Burgos composed of Barangays Burgos, Caduha-an, and Cadiz Viejo which received P75,000.
The street dancing competition was witnessed by thousands of visitors from nearby towns and cities in the province, and several foreign tourists and balikbayans as well.
Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., Vice Mayor John Vincent Escalante, and other city officials watched the event at the grandstand. Also present to witness the highlights of the Dinagsa Festival were La Castellana Municipal Mayor Añejo Nicor and Vice Mayor Rhymmyla Nicor Mangilimutan.
The Tribu ni Bading, a non-competing tribe composed of LGBTQ members in the city also presented their dance as their contribution to the festivities.
About eight competing tribes participated in the street dancing competition as one of the main highlights of this year’s Dinagsa Festival.*
