DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/22 August) – Thousands flocked to the streets over the weekend as the annual Kadayawan Festival featured its trademark Indak-indak sa Kadalanan (street dancing) and the Floral Float Parade. Most of them, however, came to see not the spectacle but their favorite stars in person.
One hundred sixty contingents coming from the academe, business establishments, clubs, and non-government organizations participated, 20 of them vying for the best floral float in the big and small categories.
But a spectator who refused to be named said that she was only interested in seeing the TV stars in person.
“Sa una sige lang man ko tanaw sa TV kung muabot mga artista pero karon adto na gyud ko dire kay lahi man gyud na makita sila sa personal (Before, whenever showbiz personalities are in town I only saw them on TV, but now I’m here because it’s really different to see them in person),” she said.
As the TV stars’ float approached the Rizal Park, the crowd along San Pedro St. started screaming while some took pictures using their cameras and mobile phones.
Since there was no railing along the street, the police and members of the Civil Security Unit failed to prevent the people from getting closer to the float.
As early as 6 a.m., people had started to gather near the Rizal Park to secure a good vantage point. But the organizers have set up railings beside the streets in front of the park to prevent the crowd from occupying the middle of the street.
Among the spectators who arrived early at the park were Leah Almonte and her 9-year old daughter Abigail.
Almonte, in her late 40s, said it was her daughter’s first time to witness the Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan as well as the float parade on Saturday. She added that her daughter grew up in Manila but they have already moved back here three months ago.
Meanwhile, the float of Abreeza Mall bagged the first prize for the big category followed by Kisan Lu Lands Inc., and Synnex-Concentrix.
During last year’s floral float competition, Synnex-Concentrix bagged the first prize for the small category followed by Kisan Lu and Abreeza.
But for this year’s small category, Barangay Sasa bagged the first prize followed by the floats of Klata Tribe and artist Rene Jereos.
On Saturday, Purok Sison Elementary School from Surallah, South Cotabato successfully defended its crown as they bagged the P300,000 grand prize for the open category of the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan.
The group also won the event in 2009 and 2010. They will once again compete in the Aliwan Fiesta 2012 (Mother of all Philippine Festivals) in Manila, where they won 3rd place last year.
They were followed by the contingent from Sto. Nino, also in South Cotabato with a cash prize of P200,000; Isulan, Sultan Kudarat with a cash prize of P150,000; New Bataan National High School with a cash prize of P100,000; and the Sarmiento Central Elementary School from Parang, Maguindanao, with a cash prize of P50,000.
A contingent from Tupi, South Cotabato received a cash prize of P25,000.
In the Davao category, the dancers of Magallanes Elementary School were declared champions and took home a cash prize of P150,000.
Then second place went to the dancers from the Jesus Soriano National High School who took home a cash prize of P100,000. Third placer Sta. Ana National High School got a cash prize of P75,000. Cesario Villa Abrille National High School had a cash prize of P50,000; and the Sto. Nino National High School Tugbok District bagged P25,000.
This year’s showdown was held in a platform, which was almost five feet high. (Keith Bacongco/MindaNews)
