Guimbawan Fest goes environmental
BATUAN, BOHOL – Organizers of the annual Guimbawan Festival of Batuan town in Bohol this time drove home a message that there’s fun in the use of green materials and recycling of waste.
Mayor Antonino “Dodo” Jumawid said the Guimbawan, a celebration of culture or tradition, was also an ecofriendly campaign. He and Vice-Mayor Yes Dumagan-Baguio led the municipal officials and those from 15 barangays, in welcoming the visitors and contingents to the festival on January 28, held in honor of the Holy Child of Jesus.
Instead of spending much for lavish costumes, headdresses and props, the 20 competing contingents opted to utilize bamboo, coconuts, bananas, shrubs and other plants abundant in this town. They collected and stitched plastic candy wrappers, and soft drink containers, among others, and transformed these to “an explosion of colors, attractive outfits for the street dancers.”
The Batuan Colleges defeated four other contingents to win the top prize (school category) during the dance showdown. Saint Anthony Academy and Batuan National High School (BNHS) tied for second place, and Barangay Quezon High School, third.
Saint Anthony came out the champion in the street-dance competition during the grand parade that attracted hundreds of spectators, including foreigners, who passed by the town’s plaza where the grand event was held. Quezon High and Batuan Colleges settled for second and third place, respectively.
In the community category of the showdown, Barangay Sta. Cruz bagged the first prize, Barangay Poblacion Norte settled for 2nd, while Barangays Quezon and Cabacnitan tied for third.
In the street-dance, Barangay Janlud got first place, Barangay Cambacay was second, and Quezon was third.
Batuan Colleges also went home with the Best in Production Design, Best in Choreography and Musicality awards, while the BNHS took the Best in Costume and Most Creative awards.
Festival Princess of Peace and Best Production Design awards went to Barangay Poblacion Norte, while Brgy. Sta. Cruz took the Best in Choreography, Brgy. Quezon the Best for Celebratory and Musicality, Brgy. Janlud for Best Creativity, and Brgy. Aloha the Best in Costume.