Mangaskasay sweeps Silhig Festival titles
Lumad Mangaskasay sa Kalupe bested seven other contingents during the 7th Silhig Festival in Barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City yesterday.
During their performance, the contingent dramatized the life of a student who persevered through his studies by helping his father sell brooms in front of a church.
As this year’s champion, the group, which is composed of Zones Camote, Luy-a and Pechay, automatically got the best in choreography. They also won Best in Costume.
Alvin John Beleca, Calupe’s choreographer, said that one of their challenges was to gather all the dancers for the practice because they were also students whgo had other responsibilities.
The group’s sacrifices paid off after they were declared the champion in the festival ritual showdown.
The second runner-up for the ritual showdown was Pundok Mamutulay og Palwa sa 6.5, while Lumad Mangungusi sa Kagape was named first runner-up. Kagape also won the Best in Silhig Steps.
Pundok Mamugkusay sa Tulay won best in street dancing. Nicole Gerebese of Nagkahiusang Manurogo sa Oktaba became the festival queen.
Pundok Mamanitay sa Mongcarpasa received the Best in Andas award.
Silhig Festival is the only festival that is held yearly by a barangay in Mandaue. This is in line with the feast of the barangay’s patron Señor Santo Niño.
With its theme “Silhig sa Bagong Panahon atong Ipadayon”, the broom industry, which started decades ago, in Paknaan continued as the main livelihood of most Paknaanons.
At least 15,000 people gathered in Tulay grounds to witness the event.
This year’s Silhig Festival is the grandest so far, according to Paknaan Barangay Captain Malaquias Soco.
Improvements were seen during the festival.
Contingents danced on a platform just like during the Sinulog festival ritual showdown in Cebu City Sports Center, contrary to the previous years that they performed on the ground. Colorful lights also made the stage more attractive.
Soco said they allocated P1 million for this year’s festival, including the subsidy given to each contingent. “We decided to level up this year,” Soco said in Cebuano.
Last year, the barangay had a budget of P700,000 for the festival. Before the ritual showdown at 6 p.m., a street dancing was witnessed by the Paknaanons in the afternoon. Soco thanked the Mandaue City Government and Cebu Provincial Government for their support. Best in Altar award went to Zone Agbate during the feast of Señor Santo Niño last Feb. 3. The festival ended with a fireworks display.