January 15, 2006, Cebu City. The ESSU Karasikas Cultural Group bagged the 5 th Place in the Free Interpretation Category of the 22 nd Sinulog Festival participated in by 23 contingents coming from the different provinces of the Visayas and Mindanao winning One Hundred Thousand Pesos cash prize, a trophy and Five Thousand Pesos cash prize for Ginalyn A. Avila, the group’s choreographer.

A Sinulog Festival first-timers, the Sinirangan Karasikas (its registered entry name) won the hearts of the people and certainly the nod of the judges with their tour-de-force performance which was applauded fro start to finish despite the slight drizzle of the rains which caused some dancers to slide on stage of the jam packed Cebu City Sports Complex. The Karasikas dancers wowed the audience with their unique moves, colorful costumes and props, and their stirring interpretation of the Senor Sto. Nino storyline of the Sinulog Festival.

Being the sole representative of Region 8 this year, the Karasikas made a major breakthrough in the history of the Sinulog by being the first contingent from region 8 to have won the 5 th top honor because other groups from both Leyte and Samar have competed in the past but were unfortunate enough to bring home a slot in the top five.

Despite being a Sinulog neophyte, the Karasikas has proved itself as a group to reckon with survived a grueling nine-hour dance parade along the streets of Cebu City and the pressures of more experienced and veterans group performers who competed in this year’s Sinulog Festival. The group plans to further widen their winning territory and plans to join in the Aliwan Festival in Manila this summer.

The Sinirangan Karasikas’ participation in Sinulog festival 2006 was made possible through the efforts of the Provincial Government of Eastern Samar headed by the Honorable Governor Ben P. Evardone, Provincial Environment Tourism Office (ETO) and Provincial Administrator Allan Limbauan. The Karasikas, dubbed as the most awarded cultural group in the province, won the grand prize in the Festival of Festivals last November 9, 2005 in the Foundation Day celebration of the Province of Eastern Samar.

ESSU President Dr. Reynaldo A. Lumbrio, along with Vice Presidents Dr. Jose V. Palada and Dr. Teresita B. Caharop and Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Norma V. Lomrio and some Faculty members, was with the group in Cebu City to lend assistance and moral support.