BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Tribu Siglat-Tinungbo Festival of Pugo, La Union won the Festival Dance category, while the Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps topped the Elementary Drum and Lyre category, after the showdown competition of the grand street dancing competition of the 30th Panagbenga Festival held at the Melvin Jones Football ground, Baguio City, on February 28.
Apart from the performance of the Tribu Siglat, the audience was also impressed by the participation of a female short stature dancer who did not lag behind in her energetic performance in the street dancing parade and showdown competition.
Their dance performance showcased the rich culture of the Bago Tribe through traditional dances such as Manmanok, Sadong, and Tadek, accompanied by gongs and bamboo instruments—elements that reflect their origins and beliefs.
Aside from their colorful traditions, an important part of their lives is farming and fishing, known as Panagkammel. Their livelihood is based on agriculture—growing rice, vegetables, and other crops—as well as the abundant natural resources of their environment.
Panagkammel is not only a livelihood but also a symbol of their hard work, cooperation, and deep connection with nature and they also maintain customs such as Tinungbo, cooking food inside bamboo, which shows their creativity and environmentalism.
Tribu Siglat will receive a P200,000 cash prize as 1st place; Tribu Kanluran Jones, of Jones, Isabela, 2nd place, with a prize of P100,000 and Tribu Balitok a Pagey, of Malasiqui, Pangasinan, 3rd Place with a prize of P70,000.
Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps won 1st Place in the Elementary Drum and Lyre category, with a prize of P150,000; second place went to El Tribu d Lucban, of Lucan Elementary School with a prize of P100,000 and third place went to Tuba Central School, Tuba, Benguet with a prize of P70,000.
Aside from the cash prizes received, the participants will be given P100,000 each as a subsidiary for their participation in the competition. (By Zaldy Comanda)
