The Sinigay sa Sagay: Saot Para sa Dunang Manggad, the official street dance and arena competition of Sagay City’s Sinigayan Festival, will be held March 19, and highlights the vibrant celebration rooted in ecological conservation and an advocacy dance for the environment.
The streetdance route is from SNHS to Ratsada sa Kalsada area, with final presentation at the Sagay City public plaza.
At the heart of the street dancing are the Sinigay sa Sagay Hari and Hara, representing competing clusters in the competition, the city said in a press release March 14.
It added that each pair will dance alongside their group, carrying advocacies centered on the sea, the environment, and sustainability. “Through colorful performances, creative choreography, and storytelling, these dancers inspire greater awareness and commitment to preserving Sagay’s natural treasures.”
This year’s Sinigay sa Sagay Hari and Hara are Earl Justin Bagonoc and Angel Saytas, for cluster 1, composed of barangays Poblacion 2, Andres Bonifacio, Fabrica, Molocaboc, and Puey, with the sea turtle as icon, and Mariano (Siopaw) Alfonso as choreographer;
Cluster 2, Reynaldo Delcoro Jr. and Ashley Fate Sayon, representing barangays Old Sagay, Malubon, General Luna, Rizal, and Himogaan Baybay, with mangroves as icon, and Pau (Toto Pau) Panganiban as choreographer;
Cluster 3, James Allen Reyes and Aubrey Fernandez, representing barangays Bato, Sewahon, Taba-ao, Plaridel, and Lopez Jaena, with the seahorse as icon, and Razel Nabasano as choreographer;
Cluster 4, Mark Lynuel Cano and Charmeil Dianne Geronimo, for barangays Poblacion 1, Bulanon, Vito, Rafaela Barrera, and Maquiling, with endangered shells/giant clams as icon, and Ronald (Bebang) Malundo as choreographer, and;
Cluster 5, Joseph Dwyane Lamis Bancolinos and Ericka Flores, representing barangays Tadlong, Colonia Divina, Baviera, Campo Himogaan, and Paraiso, with corals as icon, and Tonet Jaen as choreographer.
Dubbed as the “Festival of Many Causes”, Sinigay sa Sagay celebrates the efforts of Sagaynons and the broader community to sustain and support environmental causes for future generations, as the city is home to the expansive 32,000-hectare Sagay Marine Reserve, and boasts of rich biodiversity.
This makes the festival’s focus on ecological preservation deeply meaningful, the city said. | Sagay PIO photos
