The street frenzy of Sinulog 2009, part 1 (the winners)

So it has come to pass. Another chapter of the most awaited streetdancing celebration in the Philippines that is the Sinulog is closed. Last Sunday was the grand parade and about 44 contingents took to the streets to show off their over the top costumes, spectacular props and precise choreography. The months of rehearsals, millions of pesos of spending and immeasurable energy of prayers and implorations were distilled in just about 8 hours of streetdancing.

I was only able to shoot some three hours of the parade. I arrived late, shared a protracted lunch with photographer friends and left early. When I arrived home, I checked my pictures and found out that I still got 2/3 of the contingents. However, I did not wait up for most of the contingents to perform and took photos “hit and run” style, as if I was just on a documentation mission. But my enjoyment was thorough and the experience, again, was irreplaceable.

To kick off the Sinulog photojourney, I would start with the dance troupes which won this year’s competitions. Some of these groups are old favorites but there are also new entrants.


Sinulog-based competition (SB)

This is the traditional category which requires contingents to adhere to the Sinulog beat, dance to the Sinulog music and make the Sto. Niño the focus of their presentation.

To no one’s surprise, Tangub City’s Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe snatched the prestigious grand prize of the Sinulog-based contest. It failed to capture its 4th straight Sinulog-based crown last year, but came back with a vengeance. Also, for the 4th consecutive year, it won the street dancing competition. As these were not enough, its lead dancer, the amiable 15-year old Iris Mae Linganay won the coveted festival queen title.


1st Place SB: Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/40s, f/25, 33mm, ISO 400


According to reports, their total prize of P1 million does not come close to their estimated expenditure that is upwards of P3 million. The ultimate prize however is publicity and no event pushes you to center stage than Sinulog.


1st Place streetdancing: Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City, Misamis Occidental
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/25s, f/36, 45mm, ISO 400


As luck would have it, I was not able to catch the 2nd to 4th place contingents, namely, Don Sergio Sr. National High School, Carcar (Cebu) and Alcoy Siloy Festival of Alcoy (Cebu).
However, I was able to see the fifth placer, Pakol Festival of Sta. Catalina Oriental Negros


5th Place SB: Tribu Pakol of Sta Catalina, Negros Oriental
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/400s, f/5.6, 18mm, ISO 400, +1/3EV


Free interpretation competition (FI)

In the most tightly contested free interpretation category, there was a major upset. The crown was snatched from the perennial winner Lumad Basakanon by the Buyogan Festival of Abuyogan, Leyte, practically a new participant which wowed the crowd with their bee-storyline. However, this is not to say that the Buyogan contingent hasn't have experience. For 2 years in a row, in 2007-2008, it was the Grand Champion of Leyte's province wide Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival competition.


1st Place FI: Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/400s, f/6.3, 55mm, ISO 400, -1/3EV


While the synchronicity and precision of Lumad Basakanon was recognized as without par by the judges, the presentation of the Buyogan Festival gave a surprising originality and creativity unseen in the past.


2nd Place FI: Lumad Basakanon (Tribu Manananggi) of Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City
Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/400s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 50, -1/3EV



Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 50, +1/3EV


Last year’s 2nd placer, the municipality of Carmen, North Cebu garnered 3rd place. Their dancers stood out for their dark brown body makeup and afro hairdo. Most spectators remarked that the dancers all looked the same! They all moved in unison too and snatched the Best Musicality award.


3rd Place (FI) and Best Musicality: Carmen, Cebu
Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 50, +1/3EV


An old crowd favorite, Lanao de Norte which used to win several times in the 90s, garnered 4th. As in the past years, they also won Best Costume. Their Muslim-inspired costumes managed to outdo the colors, the glitter and ornamentation of the other contingents


4th Place (FI): Lanao del Norte
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/400s, f/5.6, 18mm, ISO 400



Best Costume: Lanao del Norte
Canon EOS 5D Digital, 1/200s, f/2.8, 100mm, ISO 50, +1/3EV

In 5th place is the dance group of Tribu Karatong of Dulag, Leyte. The contingent was noted to have included a multitude of real Sto Niño images in its presentation. Interestingly, Tribu Karatong placed second to Tribu Buyogan in Leyte's Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival last year.


5th Place (FI): Tribu Karatong of Dulag, Leyte
Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/320s, f/5.6, 18mm, ISO 400, +1/3EV



Canon EOS 350D Digital, 1/320s, f/5.6, 45mm, ISO 400, +1/3EV


the Sinulog 2009 series includes
the Sinulog Saturday procession and fireworks
Sinulog 2009 grand street parade part 1 (winners),
part 2 (the Sinulog-based contingents)
part 3 (the Free Interpretation contingents), and
the Sinulog beauties