Saturday, January 22, 2005
Past winners talk about winning and miracles

FROM 1998 to 2001, Tribu Bola Bola was the champion in the Ati-Atihan Competition's Open Category. After a year's absence, they won in the Barangay Category in 2004. They also captured major awards such as Best in Discipline, Performance, Music, and Choreography.

"The secret for winning is unity," according to tribe manager Nelda Lopez. "By functioning as one, we will maintain our winning position in every Dinagyang Festival."

The efforts of the tribe are a commitment to its founding school, the Iloilo National High School headed by Dr. Riza Amaguin.

"We also want to prepare the tribe for any festival featuring Iloilo," Lopez said.

The tribe was founded in 1992. It got its name from the Ati belief that when it is new or full moon, human bats scour the skies to look for prey.

On the other hand, Tribu Atub-Atub, in its 34 years of joining the Dinagyang Festival, has enjoyed championship wins in 1978, 1984, 1988, 2000, 2003 and 2004.

The tribe also won first runner-up during the Aliwan Dance Competition held in Manila last year.

It all started from a young man's dream.

Joaquin Santiago Jr. revealed that in 1971, he wanted to help change the lives of the residents in Veterans Village.

"I asked my father's help to form a tribe because it could also help the out-of-school youth in our village. He ignored my plea because he did not believe in Sr. Sto. Niño. Then, one night, the child Jesus appeared to him in his dreams. Since then, he didn't have a peace of mind. That's when he decided that we put up a tribe. That was in May 5," Santiago said.

"Since then, so many blessings have poured in our lives as well as the lives of the tribe members. I believe the blessings come from Sr. Sto.Niño," he said.

Santiago said that through the years, the tribe members were very disciplined and respectful. They have no fear of the competition and
they manage very well. "These are the secrets to our winnings. Most of all, we have the guidance of the child Jesus," he said.(Mary Arfe Arenal and Kathy Cinco)

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