By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—The
Tingguians of Nueva Era in Ilocos Norte took the center stage on February 2,
2019, beating 21 other contingents from different parts of the province in a
grand showdown of talents, culture, tradition and pride during the Tan-ok
Festival held at the Ferdinand E. Marcos Sports Stadium.
The winning
tribe featured their own Tadek Festival, a decades-old annual celebration
showcasing the town's rich culture and traditions, and emerged the grand champion
in the eighth staging of Tan-ok Festival that is considered the mother of all
festivals in the province.
The group
comprising young participants delivered a six-minute well-coordinated dance,
video and audio presentation wherein they stomped their feet and swayed their
hips to the beat of gongs and festival music unique to the Tingguians.
The
spectacular world-class performance left the audience in awe.
The group's
storyline portrayed the courage and bravery of the Tingguian men and the value
of healing rituals in their community.
In his post on
social media, Dominic Porto II, main choreographer of the Nueva Era team, said
he felt from the very start of the competition that they would claim the crown
this year.
“To all Nueva
Era residents living here and abroad, this is for all of us. The long wait is
over. At last, we emerged as the grand champion,” he said as thanked all the
performers, props men, human props and all other participants and sponsors who
contributed to their success.
The people of
Nueva Era are known in Ilocos Norte to be deeply-rooted in their unique
traditions that mark every area and chapter of their lives.
Nueva
Era Mayor Caroline Garvida, for her part, shared, “Daytoy a tawen ket
maisangsangayan para kadakami ta nabayagen a gun-odenmi koma nga ikalikaguman
ket adda kadakamin ti kampyonato… Ket maipakita mi no ania dagiti kinabaknang
nga adda kadakami nga Ili ti Nueva Era, kultura man or ti kinabaknang ti
aglawlaw, ken kangrunaan na ti kinabaknang dagiti tattao: ti nasayaat a panggep
ken nasasayaat a kakagalad ti maysa a taga Nueva Era ken maysa a taga Ilocos
Norte.”
“Since
nangrugi ti ‘Tan-ok,’ 110% ti ititedmi a suporta iti LGU [local
government unit] … talaga a mapmapankami ken mayora… [tapno] maipangato ti
confidence da kas cultural minority… Kayatmi ipakita a ti Ili mi,
uray man bassit nga Ili ket adda potential na… Saan laeng a simple
panggep iti festivity daytoy, ‘di ket maipanggep iti tao ken prinsipio
ti maysa nga Ili ken sangkailian,” added Vice Mayor Aldrin Garvida.
The town,
located about 43 kilometers from this city, is an emerging tourist destination
endowed with verdant mountains and crystal-clear rivers. In the interior
uplands, residents and visitors get to enjoy low temperature that makes the
areas probably colder than Baguio.
In her speech,
Senator Cynthia Villar, who was the special guest in the event, lauded the
people of Ilocos Norte for coming up with a unique festival like the Tan-ok
which highlights people’s pride and rich diverse cultures.
Aside from
being the Grand Champion, the Tingguians of Nueva Era also garnered the Best in
Festival Music, Best in Production Design, and Best in Choreography and
Direction awards.
Meanwhile,
Badoc town won second place for their performance featuring the La Virgen
Milagrosa Festival inspired by the people’s deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin
Mary.
Batac City’s
Empanada Festival took third place. The group showcased their story of being
resilient and innovative in making the famous empanada which has improved the
living conditions of many local residents today.
Runners-up
were Pagudpud’s Kangayedan Festival, Adams' Ginginubat Festival, Sarrat's Binakol
Festival, Banna’s Abuos Festival and Vintar’s Siwawer Festival.
Other special
awards given were Best Video Design won by Badoc; Best Female Performer, Judalea
Pucan of Batac; and Best Male Performer, Christian Dave Cainglit of Badoc.
Contingents
were judged according to theme or concept, choreography, performance, costume
and props, and originality.
The panel of
judges was composed of experts or authorities in dance, festivals, indigenous
culture, theater production and visual arts, tourism, and cinematography.
Theater
veteran and film director Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso chaired the Board of Judges. He
was elected president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2017,
after serving seven years in the Board of Trustees.
Alongside
Mr. Lizaso in ranking each performance were Marie Venus Tan, chief operating
officer of the Tourism Promotions Board; Rev. Fr. Harold Rentoria, commissioner
for cultural heritage at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts
(NCCA); and Childe Libertad, president of the Philippine Folk Dance Society
Region I.
Also
joining them were Mr. Rommel Serrano of the Kalilayan Folkloric Group; Mr. Lyle
Eymard Villahermosa and Mr. Jhunnard Jhordan Cruz of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric
Group; Mr. Japhet Mari Cabling of the UP Dance Company; and Mr. Armando Sta.
Ana and Ms. Allenmarie Alejo, tourism officers of Malolos City and San Juan
City, respectively.
Kyle
Jennerman, the Canadian travel blogger behind “Becoming Filipino,” also sat
among the “Tan-ok” judges.
The
eighth “Tan-ok” highlights the 201st Foundation Anniversary of the
Province of Ilocos Norte. (With reports from
Mizpah Grace G. Castro and Blessing
Angel V. Agliam)
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