CamSur bags best festival showdown award in Bicolandia street dance match

By Keren Anne Bernadas

CAMARINES SUR delegates won the best festival showdown award in the first ever Fiesta Bicolandia street dance feat launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region V along Quezon Avenue, Legazpi City on Nov. 6, Sunday.

The street parade and showdown featured the largest celebrations of each province all over the region.

A presentation of colorful ornaments and Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia being the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Philippines depicted Camarines Sur’ Kaogma Festival. Kaogma also translates to having a “good and happy time” in the local dialect.

From the island province of Catanduanes came the Hilwag dancers and Catandungan Cultural Troupe who performed for its Abaca Festival. They were also recognized as the most disciplined contingent.

Representatives from Mandaon, Masbate brought the Pamasayan Festival experience during the event. Pamasayan is way of production of “pasayan” which means “shrimp.” They were hailed as the best in concept and thematic interpretation.

The Bicol University Magayon dancers executed in a street dance the iconic love story between Daragang Magayon and Panganuron inspired by its Magayon Festival. They bagged the best in musicality award.

The best in street dancing award went to the Sorsoganons for their artistic and playful steps portraying its Kasanggayahan Festival. Kasanggayahan pertains to prosperity from its agricultural harvest.

Coming from indigenous materials and authentic headdresses, Camarines Norte won as the best in costume for its Bantayog Festival and dance illustration of its rich culture and history.

The street dance presentation is part of the DOT’s three-day Fiesta Bicolandia 2022 which aimed to promote Bicol tourism as it bounces back through COVID-19 pandemic. (PIA5/Camarines Sur)