BACOLOD CITY – Victorias City and Murcia in Negros Occidental topped the city and municipal categories of the Best of Festival Dances Competition during the 28th Panaad sa Negros Festival here on Monday, April 15.
The Sidlak Kadalag-an Festival dancers of Victorias City successfully defended their title in the city category.
They also won the Best Festival Video Introduction in the city category with a cash prize of P20,000.
The dance was choreographed by Ricky Lapidante Jr. while the video introduction was produced by Asenso Sidlak Foundation Inc., with direction by Jerancy Antonio Productions and consultation from Director Kurt Soberano.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Javi Benitez said that “this award is a testament to our team's dedication and passion for showcasing our rich culture and traditions.”
Benitez thanked the people who contributed to this success and supported the team throughout.
The team bested nine other participants in the category and brought home P200,000 cash prize.
First runner-up was Pintaflores of San Carlos City, followed by Kansilay of Silay City, Udyakan of Kabankalan City, and fourth runner-up was Sinigayan of Sagay City.
In the municipality category, Tinabuay Festival of Murcia town won the competition and took home P200,000.
Don Salvador Benedicto’s Kali-Kalihan Festival was the first runner-up while Ilog’s Kisi-Kisi Festival was the second runner-up.
Lubay-Lubay Festival of Cauayan town and Lilas Pandan of Calatrava town were third and fourth runners-up, respectively.
All runners-up in the two categories received cash prizes of P75,000, P50,000, P30,000, and P20,000, respectively.
Don Salvador Benedicto also won the best festival video introduction and took home P20,000.
The cash prize for this year’s champion in each category was supposed to be P100,000.
Sen. Imee Marcos during her speech in the opening ceremony of the festival at the Panaad Park and Stadium added P100,000 for each category.