“Showdown of Sandugo Champions” to cap Sandugo Street Dancing 18th year

ON its 18th year of enduring tradition, the Sandugo Festival braces for yet another milestone as it sets to bring in the Street Dancing Champions of other provinces' festivals in July dubbing it as the “Showdown of Champions”.

Impressed by their towering rendition last year, the “Showdown of Champions” will again parade the Street Dancing Champs of festivals' Masskara ( Bacolod City ), Dinagyang ( Iloilo City ), Atiatihan (Kalibo, Aklan), Mantawi ( Mandaue City ), and Yagyag (Sibulan, Oriental Negros) in a non-contest setting. Courted to join this year's elite performers are and winners of Dalit Festival ( Tangub City ) and Lanzones Festival (Camiguin).

To serve as local counterparts depicting Bohol 's Sandugo Festival, participation of LGU's schools, and institutions in the province are being sought. As of this time, only the town of Calape and Panglao have signified their interest. Considering the substantial exposure the event can offer, however, more local entries are expected. Tailing the main performers during the street performance are various groups from public and private schools, organizations, business establishments, balikbayans, families and clans with their self-choreographed steps and portrayals, and artistically fashioned costumes. This novel idea came after the meetings and dialogues with organizers of other festivals.

The procession of well-designed floats will also add color to the parade. The initial list includes the floats of Miss Bohol Sandugo, Miss Bohol International, Mrs. Bohol International, and Miss Gay Bohol Sandugo. With its entailing publicity, company-sponsored floats are likely to join. To afford a greater number of spectators, City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, Chairman of the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. (BSFI), opts to lengthen the usual route of the street dancing. While finality is not reached, tentative route will start from IBT to City Hall- J.A.Clarin CPG Avenue-Tamblot St. Torralba St. and end in CPG Sports Complex. Individuals and firms are enjoined to participate in the street dancing an/or display floats. They may register at the BSFI Secretariat, 3/F New City Hall Building or call 411-516. (BSFI Secretariat/David S. Maulas)

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