Banauan Cultural Group rules Sinulog sa Carmen

Barangay Guadalupe’s Banauan Cultural Group (BCG) scored a grand slam after winning three Sinulog competitions this month—the latest was the Sinulog sa Carmen last Sunday, January 28.

BCG bagged four of the five major awards securing the grand prize in the open category. The contingent won the ritual showdown, best in musicality, best in choreography, and best in costume awards.

Banay Labangon, also from Cebu City, finished second while Tribu Mabolokon of Barangay

Mabolo, Cebu City settled for third place in the Sinulog-based and Free Interpretation categories combined.

BCG was also the grand winner in the Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan and the Sinulog grand ritual showdown champion this year.

“Dako ang among pasalamat kang Senyor Santo Niño ug sa Mahal nga Birhen sa Guadalupe sa Sugbo alang sa laing kadaugan nga naangkon namo sa bag-ohay lang nga Sinulog sa Carmen 2024. Siyempre nasayod naman gyud ta ang nag-unang tumong sa among pagsalmot mao ra gyud ang paghalad. Dili sad to basta-basta nga kompetisyon kay puros sad gyud mga lig-on ang uban nga mga nangapil,” said Guadalupe councilman and head choreographer Cliff Racuya.

Racuya added that the rain during the street dancing did not prevent their desire to perform their best for the Santo Niño.

“Bisan paman sa pagbunok sa uwan atol sa street dancing, wala kini nahimong babag sa pagpasundayag sa atong performers sanglit ang dedikasyon nila sa paghalad kay mao gyud nipatigbabaw sa ilang hunahuna. Namintinar gyud ang tinguha sa grupo nga ma-insert sa sayaw ang pag-evangelize sa Good News nga gidalit sa bibliya,” Racuya added.

It has been a tradition for BCG to integrate catechism into their performance which sets apart their performers from the rest, Racuya said.

“Naandan na gyud nga trademark sa BCG mao ang pag-integrate og catechism into our performances and that makes our contingent…apart from the others. Dili gyud kalimtan ang storyline delivery ug unsaon pag-connect niini sa kasamtangang panahon,” ended Racuya.

The street dancing competition, however, was won by Banay Labangon.

Meanwhile, in the local category, Tribu San Roque defended its crown in the ritual showdown. Tribu Luyanganon finished second while Tribu Ipilacion settled third place.

Tribu San Roque also dominated the street dancing and bagged the best in costume and best in choreography. Tribu Luyanganon won best in musicality.