PIA Press Release
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Lanao Norte contingent undeterred by latest Sinulog result

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte, Jan. 18 -– Although this year’s performance by Lanao del Norte ‘The Land of Beauty and Bounty’ was not enough to get the judges’ approval, officials from this fast-rising province remain committed to the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City.

“Our main objective in joining the festival is to promote Lanao del Norte as a peaceful and beautiful province where Muslims and Christians live harmoniously with one another. On that goal, I can say - mission accomplished,” Governor Khalid Dimaporo remarked.

This is the first loss of the province since 2009 when it first competed in the Free Interpretation category of the biggest cultural festival in the country.

Last year, ‘The Land of Beauty and Bounty’ won second place in the Street dancing category after going against 49 contingents including veteran powerhouses like Tangub’s Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe, Tribu Himag-Ulaw of Placer, Masbate, and Tribu Buyoganon of Abuyog, Leyte.

“This year’s result inspires us all the more to put on the biggest and grandest performance our province has ever produce come Sinulog 2013. Everyone should not miss it,” Information Officer Lyndon Calica said.

The 2011 Ms. Lanao del Norte, Angel Lou Pates, gave the contingent its sole victory as she grabbed the fourth runner-up crown in the Search for Sinulog Festival Queen.

“The annual entry of ‘The Land of Beauty and Bounty’ contingent is also the province’s way of thanking Cebu City for the solid trade partnership it has enjoyed through the years as well as our unique way of contributing to the pageantry and color of the Sinulog Festival,” Calica added.

The top 5 winners in the Free Interpretation were Lingganay Festival of Alang-alang, Leyte (1st place); Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate (2nd place); Karatong Festival of Dulag, Leyte (3rd place); while Lumad Basakanon of Barangay Basak-San Nicolas in Cebu City and Toledo National High Vocational School of Toledo City, Cebu won the fourth and fifth place, respectively.

The Alang-Alang, Leyte contingent also won the special awards for Best Musicality (Festival Music) and Best in Festival Costume.

In the street dancing category, Carcar City won first place, while Tangub City and Placer, Masbate took second and third place.

This year’s Sinulog festival saw 50 contingents battled for the top prizes in last Sunday’s Grand Parade – 23 in the Sinulog-based category and 27 in Free Interpretation. (PIO-LDN/PIA-10)