CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Barangay Gusa dethroned defending champion Barangay Macabalan in the Cagayan de Oro Higalaay Festival Street Dancing Competition at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex here on Sunday, August 27.
PERFORMERS from Barangay Gusa celebrate after winning the Higalaay Street Dance Competition at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 27. (Franck Dick Rosete)
The performance of Barangay Gusa anchored on their storyline showcasing Cagayan de Oro history caught the attention of judges as it also bagged three special awards, Best in Street Dancing, Best Choreographer, and Best in Musicality.
Jolny Johnson Balatero, choreographer of Barangay Gusa, stated how hard their journey was, but they still continued despite having beginner dancers and the challenges they faced prior to the competition. "We offer our performance to our Lord and our patron Saint Augustine," Balatero said as he expressed gratitude to Barangay Gusa officials and dancers for their support.
The choreographer also said they only had nine practice days prior to their performance.
BARANGAY Gusa performs in the Higalaay Street Dance Competition at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 27. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Meanwhile, Barangay Carmen, where Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Rolando Uy lives and served as barangay chairman, was first runner-up. Barangay Carmen also bagged Best in Costume and Best in Storyline special awards.
Barangay Puerto was second runner-up and won the Most Discipline Award. Barangay Macabalan ended the competition empty-handed.
Uy commended all performers and organizers for continuing the street dancing competition despite the heavy rains. "I apologize if our back trap was destroyed due to strong winds and heavy rains. However, despite the heavy rains, the programs in the Higalaay Festival have been successful," Uy said in his speech.
ACTOR Joshua Garcia serenades fans during the Higalaay Street Dance Competition at the Misamis Oriental Integrated Sports Complex in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 27. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Prior to the awarding ceremony, audience inside the sports complex went wild after actor Joshua Garcia entered the stage and serenaded the audience. Jeansyl Saraniogon of Barangay Carmen told iFM Cagayan de Oro that she wouldn’t wash her hands after Garcia shook her hands.
Garcia thanked the city government and the fans for the warm welcome, saying that Cagayan de Oro is indeed the "friendliest place."
FLOAT of Barangay Carmen parked at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City, during the Higalaay Civic Military Parade and Float on Sunday, August 27. (Franck Dick Rosete)
Earlier Sunday, another Higalaay Festival core event, the Civic Military Parade and Float, was held. This was attended by 162 participants, eight with floats, from various government offices, barangays, schools, non-government organizations, and private companies.
Participants travelled 2.7 kilometers from the starting point at the Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral to Kiosko Kagawasan in Divisoria.
Private company Palawan Pawnshop was proclaimed champion while Barangay Carmen was the first runner-up and JE Hydro and Bio-Energy Corp. was the second runner-up.
All winners received cash prizes.
PALAWAN Pawnshop personnel strike a pose after winning the Higalaay Civic Military Parade and Float at Kiosko Kagawasan, Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday, August 27. (Franck Dick Rosete)
