INTERMITTENT rain nearly stopped the Higalaay Street dance competition, one of the core events leading to the celebration of St. Agustine, the patron saint of Cagayan de Oro on Sunday night, August 27.
The rain, however, stopped later for performing teams from ten Cagayan de Oro barangays from participating in the street dance and tableau presentations.
Residents who sought cover in restaurants came out again and lined along the two-kilometer route from Rotunda to the Pelaez Center in Cagayan de Oro.
At the Pelaez Sports Center, some 5,000 people who braved the rains applauded when the performing teams from ten city barangays entered the 54-year-old complex.
The sports complex which has a 5,000-rated seating capacity was filled to the rafters.
Councilor Joyleen Mercedes 'Girlie' Balaba said the street dance competition is divided into two parts—street dance and the tableau presentation at the sports complex.
Three judges which included renowned playwright Frank Rivera witnessed the performers in the street dance and tableau presentation.
“It's not simply that they know how to dance. They must be able to present their story clearly,” Rivera said.
Rivera said the winning team should be able to present the history of Cagayan de Oro in both the street dance and tableau presentation.
Dressed in yellow costumes, dancers from Barangay Gusa, won the P300,000 grand prize in the Higalaay street dance competition. Barangay Carmen bagged the second prize and P200,000 prize money. Third place, Barangay Puerto got the P100,000.
This is the first time the Higalaay Street dance competition made a comeback after strict quarantine measures during the Covid-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 forced the city government to cancel the event.
