Cluster group Base-ao Del Jaena, carrying the advocacy for the protection of seahorses, was the champion of this year’s “Sinigay sa Sagay Saot para sa Dunang Manggad”, one of the highlights of the 29th Sinigayan Festival at the Sagay public plaza March 19.
The cluster, composed of barangays Bato, Sewahon, Taba-ao, Plaridel, and Lopez Jaena, topped the street dance and arena competition where each of the clusters danced carrying themes on environment conservation and sustainability.
Base-ao Del Jaena made seahorses as their conservation icon and told, through a tableau, the effects of harvesting the species to the ecosystem and the people.
The contingent defended its crown as last year’s champion, and will represent Sagay City in the Panaad sa Negros Festival later this month.
They also bagged eight special awards, including Best in Street dancing Costume, Best Saot sa Dunang Manggad Choreography, Best Endurance, Best Choreographer, Best Designer, Best Visual Artist, Best Props, and Best Headdress.
Tribu Bumavira Uno, composed of barangays Bulanon, Vito, Rafaela Barrera, Maquiling, and Poblacion-1, won as first runner-up and took home the Best Recycled/Upcycled Accessories award.
Famupuan Dos, composed of barangays Poblacion-2, Andres Bonifacio, Fabrica, Molocaboc, and Puey, was second runner-up.
In the Hara and Hari competition, Ashley Fate Ibag Sayon and Reynaldo Lim Delcoro Jr. were declared winners, representing “Old Maluri Himogbay” of barangays Old Sagay, Malubon, General Luna, Rizal, and Himogaan Baybay, the city said.
Vice Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva said this festival is Sagay’s testament to its thrust to conserve the environment, and urged Sagaynons to continue being nature’s champions.
Councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Tourism and Environment, said the festival is also for the young generation to learn and take lessons on how to protect mother nature. ||
