ILIGAN CITY – The Tomas Cabili National High School topped the Kasadya street-dancing competition here on Wednesday, September 27.
Thousands witnessed the annual competition in line with the feast of patron saint Michael the Archangel.
Twelve contingents representing different schools danced all the way to the Anahaw Amphitheater where the final showdown and judging were held.
Each contingent showed their ability in the tri-people dance of the Higaonons, Maranaos, and Christians in honor of Saint Michael.
Three judging areas were assigned on the street to determine 40 percent of the contingent's total performance.
Jelai Lopez, a Grade 11 student of Tubaran National High School who had joined the activity twice, said he is happy that he could celebrate the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel portraying Satan.
"Happy kaayo ko nga nia ko diri karon as a ‘yawa,’ ganahan lang gyud ko ma-yawa (I am happy that I am now here playing the part of the devil, I always knew, I wanted to play the devil),” Lopez said in jest.
Mayor Frederick Siao was grateful that the people warmly received and participated in all the activities initiated by the local government unit for the fiesta.
"I'm very happy and still very contented sa result sa atong mga kalihokan sa atong kapistahan sa Iligan (of the fiesta activities in Iligan),” he added.
Tomas Cabili National High School also bagged most of the minor awards.
First runner-up was Kiwalan National High School and Iligan City National High School was second runner-up and had the best Diyandi queen.
They received a trophies and cash prize of P30,000, P200,000,and P100,000 while minor awardees received P15,000 each.
Barangay Gusa in Cagayan de Oro City was champion in the Kasadya street-dancing open category and received P700,000 cash prize. It also won two minor awards with a P15,000 reward each.
Kauswagan in Lanao del Norte was first runner-up and won P300,000 cash and was also best in street dancing and bagged P30,000 cash.