Dumaguete's
Kabulakan Festival

The Dumaguete Tourism Council recently spearheaded the holding of the first ever "Kabulakan Festival," instead of the traditional Santa Cruzan Festival, in Dumagute, the "City of Gentle People." The crowd lined up the streets to cheer for the streetdancing entries, and to see Ms. Dumaguete Shekina Lasola, Ms. Tourism Eri Kajikawa and Ms. Sandurot Queen Eden Girasol escorted by teen stars Gerald Anderson, Joaqui Mendoza, Fred Payawan, and John Wayne Sace.

Judges for the festival contest were Vince Escario of the Cebu Sinulog Foundation, Rudy Reveche - Mambukal Mudpack Festival, Honey Jarque-Loop of the Philippine Star and Freeman Cebu, Evelyn Balang of the DepEd-Cebu, and yours truly.

Impressively decorated floats paraded in the main thoroughfares of the city. Delegations from five barangays showcased their talent, art and skill in the streetdancing contest. Each entry chose a flower common in the city and interpreted its legend in intricately choreographed dance number and colorful costumes.

Adjudged overall champion was "Cadena de Amor" with its dance story rendition, musical scoring and thematic fireworks display as climax.

Second and third placers were the "Water Lily" and "Calachuchi," respectively.