Besting 11 other competing tribes coming from cities and provinces of Western Visayas, Tribu Salakayan of Miag-ao Town, Iloilo defended its title by emerging champion in the Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition of the Dinagyang Festival 2013 held last January 27 at the Iloilo City Freedom Grandstand.
The tribe, which is composed of students from the Western Visayas College of Science and Technology (WVCST)-Southern Iloilo Polytechnic College (SIPC), retained its title after a spectacular performance depicting the history of Miag-ao town. In colorful costumes, props, spirited dancing, and lively music, the tribe reenacted how the Miag-ao locals were able to defeat the invading Moros with the Sto. Niño’s help during the Spanish times. The performance made the tribe romp off with the best in choreography and best in performance special awards.
As champion, the tribe won P150, 000, a trophy and additional cash prizes for the special awards during the 2013 Kasadyahan sa Dinagyang Festival Awards night.
Seventy dancers, thirty drummers/musicians and twenty props men comprise the tribe. Dr. Raul F. Muyong, WVCST-Miag-ao Campus Administrator, is the tribe manager. Its choreographer, Ramon Emmanuel, Jr., was adjudged the best choreographer of the 2013 Kasadyahan.
Other winners of this year’s Kasadyahan are Tribu Kaing of Leon, Iloilo (1st runner up); Tribu Bayluhay of San Joaquin, Iloilo (2nd runner up); Tribu Padagyaw of Dumarao, Capiz (3rd runner up); and Tribu Mandaragat of San Jose, Antique (4th runner up).
Tribu Salakayan first joined Dinagyang Festival’s Kasadyahan last year and was declared champion. The tribe represented the province and placed fifth in the 2012 Aliwan Fiesta -The Philippines' Festival of Champions where participants from different festivals in the country competed.
Having won the title this year, Tribu Salakayan will once again represent Iloilo in the Aliwan Fiesta in Manila on April 11-13, 2013.
