BORONGAN, Eastern Samar – The Eastern Samar contingent of the Sinulog made it to the top five out of the 23 entries during the Sinulog festival in Cebu City Sunday.
Governor Ben Evardone, who personally went to Cebu to oversee the delegation, said that they will be receiving P100, 000 cash prize as the 5 th place winner.
The Eastern Samar contingent called Tribong Sinirangan Karasikas was the grand champion in the “Rayhak” Festival held during the 40 th Founding Day of Eastern Samar last Nov. 2005.
The Karasikas official choreographer, Jenelyn Avila, was awarded another P5,000.00
Manny Rago, one of the dance escorts, said their victory is a milestone in the province’s effort to make known its culture, customs and traditions through street dancing and festival rituals. With the 23 delegations nationwide, there is enough reason for us to be happy, Arago bragged.
Further, the Sinulog presentation features the discovery and development of the municipality of Borongan, the capital town, including its history, religion, heritage and culture.
Arago was happy to account for the provincial government’s financial and moral support. He recalled that the nearly 100 ESSU dancers were given their daily allowances and the escorts their travel allowances.
He said that Gov. Evardone, who stood by throughout the contest to witness their presentation, pledged for moral support for next year’s competition.
According to him, what made them won th e5th major award was their “relentless” practice t mastery.”
the following were the top five provincial festival winners, namely: Camiguin Island, 1 st; Iloilo, 2 nd: Iligan, 3 rd; Panglaw, Bohol, 4 th and Eastern Samar, 5 th.
Governor Evardone said that this event is worthy to be proud of by every Estehanon not only because of the victorious participation but most significantly the opportunity to showcase the culture, the richness of its tradition and promotion of talents from the eastern Visayas region, particularly the province of Eastern Samar as a newly and emerging tourist destination.
“ Eastern Samar participation in the internationally renowned festival is one of the vital components of my governance to boost the tourism industry in the region and in the national and international level,” Evardone said.
It was the first time that Eastern Samar participated in this festival in Cebu City.
