::: DINAGYANG 2005 :::

Monday, January 24, 2005
Silak, Pag-asa, Pintados de Pasi tribes triumph

SEVEN months of practice paid off for Tribu Silak (formerly Tribu Lunok) when it was adjudged the champion in the Ati-Atihan Competition Open Category.

"This is our first time to win," according to Pedro Jimmy Mabaquiao, one of the tribe's members.

Ronnie Bareta, tribe manager cried after hearing that they won.

"I am thankful because of all the pains that the tribe went through all these years because of the financial inadequacies that made it hard to support the tribe," he said.

Tribu Silak also won as Best in Music, Performance and Choreography.

The tribe was said to have spent about P657,000 for their presentation and was sponsored by Mesa Drug.

Meanwhile, Tribu Pag-asa is the champion in the Barangay Category.

Managed and choreographed by Andres Gomez Jr., the tribe is quite thankful for the victory. "We only had one month and 10 days preparation for our presentation," he said.

The tribe also won as Best in Choreography and Performance.

Both Tribu Silak and Pag-asa won P40,000 in cash each.

In the Kasadyahan Competition held last January 22, Tribu Pintados de Pasi of Passi City is the victor, receiving P20,000 in cash.

It also reaped the following awards: Best in Costume, Best in Performance and Best in Choreography.

Mayor Eleazer Chavez expressed joy for the tribe.

Its choreographer is award-winning theater and artistic director Kevin Piamonte.

Other winners

In the Open Category, the legendary Tribu Bola-Bola of the Iloilo National High School is first runner-up and Best in Costume, Best in
Music, Best in Discipline, Most Unique and Best Headdress, followed by first-timer Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni National High School as second runner-up.

The former received P30,000 in cash while the latter received P20,000. Tribu Salognon won the Most Colorful Costume Award.

In the barangay category, Tribu Panaad won first runner-up and received P30,000; Tribu Molave won second runner-up and received P20,000; and Tribu Parianon won third runner-up and received P10,000. The tables turned when Tribu Atub-Atub, defending champion and title holder for many years, became fourth runner-up and won the Best in Music Award. It received P5,000 in cash.

In the Kasadyahan Competition, Tribu Tultugan from Maasin won first runner-up and Best in Music while first-timer Tribu Landing of Cabatuan won second runner-up.

The former received P15,000 in cash while the latter received P10,000. The special awardees in all competitions were given P5,000 in cash each, while P1,000 was given to the winners in the headdress competition.

Twenty-two tribes competed in the Open and Barangay Categories while eight tribes competed during the Kasadyahan Competition.

Successful

Mayor Jerry Treñas, who happens to be the Hermano Mayor of the Feast of Sr. Sto. Niño said Dinagyang 2005 is successful.

"This is more successful compared to last year. More people came to watch the competitions," he said.

Seen were Senators Mar Roxas, Jamby Madrigal, Manny Villar, Franklin Drilon, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez and his wife Pacita and other cabinet secretaries.

Generally peaceful

Meanwhile, Chief Supt Gorge Aliño, regional director commended his men for a job-well done in securing the festival.

"So far, our Dinagyang celebration was peaceful, no major incidents happened and I commend our men," Aliño in a phone interview.

Aliño added that the peaceful celebration was because of the vigilance and cooperation of the people, the patience and sacrifices of the security personnel especially by the members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), police interns, cadets from various schools and barangay officials who controlled the crowd during the performance proper.

The conduct of checkpoints in all entrance and exit points before reaching the food festival along Iznart, Delgado and Valeria Sts., where most of the people were seen was also effective, says Aliño.

Seven pickpockets were arrested and a snatcher from whom five cell phones were recovered.

"We have very organized security and the people's patience and support really contributed a lot to this peaceful celebration," Aliño said.

Aliño also commended the Philippine Red Cross and traffic aides who helped the police in maintaining peace and order.

It was learned that the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) under Supt Ren Darroca, officer-in-charge city director had created inspector team who will inspect the security system.

It was learned that around 6000 security men deployed in the main streets. (Ruby Silubrico with reports from Irene Ortigas, Mary Arfe Arenal, Lory Ann Bilbao and Fritzie Ann Pamplona)

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