BACOLOD CITY – Cluster group Base-ao del Jaena defended the crown in the street dance and arena competition of the 29th Sinigayan Festival in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 19.
CLUSTER group Base-ao del Jaena performs at the street dance and arena competition of the 29th Sinigayan Festival in Sagay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday, March 19. (Photo via Sagay City Tourism and PIO)
With the advocacy for the protection of sea horses, Base-ao del Jaena bested four other contingents in the Sinigay sa Sagay Saot para sa Dunang Manggad, one of the festival highlights at the city public plaza.
The group composed of Barangays Bato, Sewahon, Taba-ao, Plaridel, and Lopez Jaena won P75,000 and eight special awards – Best Street Dancing Costume, Best Saot sa Dunang Manggad Choreography, Best Endurance, Best Choreographer, Best Designer, Best Visual Artist, Best Props, and Best Headdress.
They will represent Sagay City in the 2025 Panaad sa Negros Festival from March 24 to 30.
Tribu Bumavira Uno composed of Barangays Bulanon, Vito, Rafaela Barrera, Maquiling, and Poblacion 1 was the first runner-up and pocketed P65,000 and awarded the Best Recycled/Upcycled Accessories.
Famupuan Dos comprised of Barangays Poblacion 2, Andres Bonifacio, Fabrica, Molocaboc, and Puey was the second runner-up and bagged P55,000.
Meanwhile, a 19-year-old tourism management student from the National University (NU)-Bacolod was crowned Sinigayan Queen 2025 on Monday, March 17.
Franciene Rios from Barangay Vito bested 11 other candidates.
Joyce Christine Gonzales from Barangay Fabrica was Sinigayan Queen-Tourism and Jane Ashley Apelacio from Barangay Old Sagay was Sinigayan Queen-Charity.
The 23-year-old Gonzales was awarded Best Evening Gown Design, Best in Talent, and Best in Advocacy. The 20-year-old Apelacio won Best in Evening Gown.
Twenty-one-year-old Aiera Beleganio from Barangay Paraiso was the first princess and 19-year-old Novelyn Solitano of Barangay Bato was the second princess.
Solitano won five minor and special awards: Best in Production Number, Best in Swimsuit, Miss Photogenic, Best in Festival Costume, and Best in Festival Costume Design.
Sinigayan Queen is one of the highlights of this year’s festival that kicked off on March 15. This year’s theme is Moving Onward in Harmony.
“This festival is a reflection of the spirit of kindness and unity, a celebration of diverse cultures and traditions, and an avenue to discover talents within the community,” Mayor Narciso Javelosa Jr. said.