ALABEL, Sarangani (August 22, 2016) - After begging off three times due to lack of funds, the James L. Chiongbian National Trade School Performing Arts Troupe of Kiamba bagged the championship title of Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan, the street dancing competition of the 31st Kadayawan Festival in Davao City Saturday (August 20).
The Sarangani contingent was also awarded as Best in Musicality. The group received P500,000 as cash prize and a spot in Aliwan Fiesta next year in Manila. Aliwan is one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines.
“For three times, we refused to participate in such a competition because of financial constraints,” said school principal German Piamonte. “Now, it brings so much pride and happiness that we went home victorious.”
Piamonte thanked the provincial and municipal local government units for their financial support.
Board Member George Falgui expressed his delight to the feat of the students who are his constituents in Kiamba.
“The provincial government officials gave all-out support to these talented children,” said Falgui.
For his part, Governor Steve Chiongban Solon assured the group of financial help. “Rest assured that I will help in searching funds to be used in their participation to Aliwan Fiesta. I and the officials will talk about helping them in their expenses for Aliwan Fiesta,” the governor said.
Their win in Kadayawan automatically secures them a spot to Aliwan Fiesta. Dubbed as “King of all Festivals”, it gathers different cultural festivals of the country where contingents compete in dance parade and float competitions.
The story concept of their dances is likened to the color composition of rainbow, diverse but beautifully combined.
“We incorporated the union of the colors of a rainbow in showcasing unity amidst diversity of Maguindanaons and Blaans,” explained head trainer Joselito Zafe.
Erika Layagin, a Grade 10 student-participant, told Sarangani Information Office that showing happy faces helped them win.
“We showed to everybody our genuine smiles which reflected our excitement and passion to what we were doing,” Layagin said.
Some parents showed support by being with the children during their three-day stay in Davao. They did the cooking of meals.
“The accomplishment of our children is also ours. We are happy as much as they are,” exclaimed Estrella Takayama, parent.
The group had been a three-time champion of the Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City.
With the convergence of efforts, Sulong Karunungan, an education sub-program of Sulong Sarangani, continues to aim for excellence in education.
“We are very proud that Sarangani, thru JLC National Trade School, has been making names in the field of performing arts. We thank all the students, parents and teachers for their hard work, especially the Parents and Teachers Association for being so supportive in terms of academic and extra-curricular activities of their children,” said Sulong Karunungan project manager Marife Gomez.
Gomez said Sarangan students have also excelled in other fields. “Sarangani has placed number 1 in the National Achievement Test for two consecutive years in Region XII. We ranked third in sports during the Asia- Pacific Intermediate League Competition, and now, we excel in performing arts,” Gomez added. (Cherry Marie Irish D. Cruz /SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)