The Pasalamat Festival, Pagadian City’s colorful annual event culminates in an exciting street dancing showdown which was contested by various Barangays and Secondary schools in the city on January 18, 2009.

Topping this year’s theme, “Kalinaw… Pinaagi sa Pagsinabtanay, Panaghiusa ug Kaangayan sa Katawhan” (Peace…Through Understanding, Unity and Equality among the People”) was indeed a great upshot to suit the festival’s blazing image. The much anticipated street dancing showdown captures the highlight of the most colorful and vibrant part of the festival.

Last sunday, the surge for Cebu’s most awaited celebration was on peak and for the same reason the City of Pagadian was also on thrill for the main event of the year. Despite the heat of a 1 o’clock sunny afternoon, people were starting to fill the main streets of the city. Different contingents from distinct Barangays and Secondary schools floored their amusing costumes and awed the onlookers.

The participating Barangays were Brgy. Napolan, Brgy. Balangasan, Brgy. San Pedro, Brgy. Tuburan, Brgy. San Jose, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Brgy. Dao, Brgy. Balintawak, Brgy. Santiago, Brgy. Tiguma, Brgy. Bulatok, Brgy. Sta. Maria, Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Dumagoc and Brgy. Lumbia. While for the secondary schools there were only 5 namely: Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Main Campus, Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Sta. Lucia Annex, Pagadian City National High School, Pagadian City Comprehensive National High School and Zamboanga del Sur National High School – San Pedro.

The dancers danced their soul and were finally judged at the City Gymnasium. There was a separate pricing for winners.

For the Barangay Category: 1st prize – Php 20,000 and a project worth of Php 200, 000; 2nd prize – Php 15, 000 and a project worth of Php 150, 000 and lastly 3rd prize – Php 10,000 and a Php 100, 000 worth of projects.

For the Secondary category: 1st prize – Php 30, 000; 2nd prize – Php 20, 000 and 3rd prize Php 10, 000.

Both non-winners of different categories have their consolation prizes sponsored by the Local Government.

And the winners are …

For the Barangay category:

• 1st – Barangay Napolan
• 2nd – Barangay San Pedro
• 3rd – Barangay Bulatok

For the Secondary School category:

• 1st – Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Main Campus
• 2nd – Zamboanga del Sur National High School – Sta. Lucia Annex
• 3rd – Pagadian City National High School

Usually the Pasalamat Festival is a 10-day gaiety that crowns the Feast of Sto.Niño. The Feast of Sto. Niño is celebrated on the third Sunday of January every year among Catholics but gained its popularity that most people celebrated with it.

From its liberation of being a Sinulog-based festival, Pasalamat Festival is again unfolding another chapter of its long line tradition this year; from its ubiquitous beginnings to its now-profound flair. It truly signifies the transformation of a city once covered by obscurity and gloom. Now shines!

Indeed, it was a successful celebration for the city and was a great leap for Mayor Co. “And for next year’s Pasalamat Festival activities, Our Street Dance Competition will be open not only for groups from Pagadian but we will also invite participants from other cities to join,” Mayor Co stated. (Article and photos by Jboy Ababon)