Judge: Create new dance patterns, wear folk costumes

What are the judges of the recently concluded Sinulog parade expecting to see from interested contingents who plan to join next year’s tilt?

A presentation with “much more creative dance patterns, precise timing and traditional costumes” is what three cultural dance experts are looking forward to.

Lordinio Vergara, head judge of the street dancing competition, said that several contingents didn’t create much of a spectacle when they used dance patterns that have become redundant.

Having sat as judge of the contest for the past 11 years, he observed that majority of the contingents have been “overusing” the wave pattern.

Vergara, director of the Philippine Normal University Institute of Physical Education, Health Recreation, Dance and Sports, said the wave pattern made popular by multi-awarded Lumad Basakanon of Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City has become a template performance for many contingents.

“Lumad Basakanon is still good. The wave pattern has become their identity, but perhaps a new dance pattern from them would help bring out that distinctiveness that is giving them that wow factor,” he said.

He also lamented that the dance pattern has been incorporated in the choreography of many other contingents even if it is not relevant to the story of their presentation.

“I’d appreciate it if choreographers rethink their routine to make it more beautiful,” he said.

Nestor Jardin, free interpretation (FI) head judge, asked choreographers to strictly follow the guidelines set by the Sinulog Foundation Inc.

Jardin said they contingents should go under time than go overtime with their routines so no points will deducted.

“It’s sad that points were deducted from half of the FI contingents because they went overtime. It’s a pity because the rankings changed, higher groups slid down because of that,” he said.

Sinulog-based head judge Larry Gabao, on the other hand, wants to see more Filipino costumes and wants contingents to refrain from wearing Spanish-inspired ensembles.

Gabao, vice head of the national committee on dance of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, said choreographers should look into folk costuming and incorporate colors that could reflect the true essence of the theme.

“Costume patterned from Spanish clothing is typical, but during the early days of Sinulog, they just wore kimonas and plain clothes. Production is very visual but for the true essence of Sinulog, it should go back to the roots,” he said. /