Paghida-et raring for Aliwan

Members of Tribu Paghida-et parade their championship trophy Monday afternoon. (Photo by Tara Yap)

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

TRIBU Paghida-et, the 2009 Dinagyang Ati-ati dance champion, of the LaPaz National High School (LPNHS) is raring to represent Iloilo City to the annual Aliwan Festival.

 

Paghida-et choreographer Ramil Huyatid said Aliwan is one of the most prestigious competitions where they can showcase the country’s best tourism event.

 

The Aliwan, which is mounted by the Manila Broadcasting Corp., is considered the “festival of festivals” in the country.

 

Huyatid, who won the best choreographer award in the last two Dinagyang festivals, said they are willing to join the Aliwan with the support of the City government and other sectors.

 

“It would be a dream come true for us and the city if we win the Aliwan championship,” Huyatid said.

 

Huyatid also thanked the LPNHS Parent-Teachers Association, sponsors and dancers for retaining the Dinagyang tiara this year.

 

He also congratulated other tribes for mounting impressive performances during the Ati-ati competition which further elevated the status of Dinagyang.

 

Azucena Falales, LPNHS principal and Paghida-et manager, said even the parents of their dancers stayed up late at night during their practice.

 

“It was the cooperation of everybody from the teachers, dancers, parents and the LaPaz community that inspired us to do our best and retain the crown,” Falales said.

 

Huyatid said their performance could have been better if the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation did not reduce the number of dancers in each participating tribe.   

 

“Our style this year suited a tribe with more dancers. But we did our best even if we only practiced for a month,” he added.

 

Huyatid said he continues to study and train in seminars to improve his craft “just like other choreographers before us.” 

 

Members and sponsors of Paghida-et held a motorcade around Iloilo City Monday afternoon to celebrate their victory this year.

Paghida-et retains Dinagyang crown

STILL THE CHAMP The colorful and energetic Tribu Paghida-et of LaPaz National High School is still the best in this year’s Dinagyang Festival. The tribe is supported by The Daily Guardian. (Photo by Tara Yap)

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

TRIBU Paghida-et of LaPaz National High School (LPNHS) retained the championship in the 2009 Dinagyang dance competition held January 25 during the awarding and closing rites capped by fireworks display and circus performances.

 

Paghida-et romped with the special awards for best in head dress and costume and the minor awards for best in costume during performance, music, performance, choreography.

 

Ramil Huyatid of Paghida-et won the best choreographer award.

 

Paghida-et is managed by Azucena Falales, LPNHS principal. The champion tribe will represent the Dinagyang festival to the Aliwan festival in Metro Manila later this year.

 

Returning Tribu Bola-Bola of Iloilo National High School settled for the first runner-up honors aside from winning the best in street dancing award.

 

The 2^nd runner-up is Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial High School in Lapuz, Iloilo City while 3^rd runner-up went to Tribu Silak of Iloilo City National High School

 

The 4^th runner-up honors went to first timer Tribu Himal-us of Guimaras.

 

Tribu Kasag of Banate, Iloilo won the championship in the Kasadyahan festival. It also garnered the special awards for best in production design, choreography and performance. 

 

Tribu Sa-ad of Leganes, Iloilo got first runner-up honors aside from winning the best in street dancing special awards.

 

Second runner-up is Tribu Madya-as of Mandurriao National High School. Tribu Bayluhay of San Joquin won third runner-up honors and the best theme concept award.

 

The fourth runner-up honors went to Tribu Tultugan of Maasin, Iloilo.

 

DSS Fireworks from the Dumaguete City retained the crown in the “Luces in the Sky” Dinagyang pyrolympics held Janaury 23-24.

 

Iloilo City’s Scorpion Fireworks won first runner-up honors while the entry of Laguna province won second runner-up honors.

 

In the drum, bugle and lyre contest, Alibango Elementary School of Alimodian, Iloilo won first place, Arevalo Elementary School landed on second place while Baluarte Elementary School won third place 

 

In the sponsors Mardi Gras held in the afternoon of January 24, Colegio de San Jose cornered the best in costume, street dancing and discipline plums.

 

M. Lhuliller pawnshop won the best float award.

Gonzalez appeals IBP suspension

 

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

 

DEPARTMENT of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. will appeal the recommendation of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ (IBP) Board of Governor to the Supreme Court to suspend the former from the bar for one year.

 

Gonzalez will also file a disbarment case against Elly Pamatong, a perennial presidential candidate, who filed a complaint with the IBP resulting in the recommendation.

 

The IBP recommended the suspension of Gonzalez for allegedly distributing money to help in the campaign of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s allies during the May 2007 elections.

 

The IBP’s commission on bar discipline approved the “suspension from the practice of law for obstruction of the electoral process for his reprehensible conduct of openly and publicly offering P10,000 to any barrio captain in his area of political influence who can give a 12-0 vote in favor of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s senatorial candidates and taking into consideration his previous professional misconduct.”

 

Gonzalez’s said the P10,000 to each punong barangay in Iloilo City was an incentive for them to encourage their constituents to vote for administration’s senatorial bets.

 

The money came from his own pocket, he added.

 

The justice department chief downplayed the new IBP ruling and referred to Pamatong as “the complainant here is a nut.”

 

“The IBP resolution is not executory. It is only recommendatory. The final say belongs to the SC. I’m not worried about these things. Anyway, the complainant here is a nut. The things he does borders on him being either a genius or a nut,” he said.

 

Gonzalez slammed the leaking of the IBP resolution saying disbarment cases are confidential.