Tribu Kasag of Banate in Kasadyahan 2010

Magsinadya kita! That’s what we do during Dinagyang. Sadya is a Hiligaynon term meaning “happy, joy or fun.” The Dinagyang Festival street dancing starts not on the Ati-Ati competition but with the Kasadyahan Festival. Held on a Saturday before the Ati-Atihan highlight of Dinagyang, it is a cultural dance parade, contest and showcase of Iloilo’s kabanwahanan or towns and several institutions within the city and the province (and I heard it is also open to all towns in Panay Island as well!) You don’t get to see soot-covered Ati warriors dancing during Kasadyahan like what most of us know about Dinagyang though. By the beat of the music and interpretative dance, the contingents showcase a myriad of cultural topics that is incorporated in every Ilonggo, from history to current events.

Tribu Manurriaonon of Mandurriao Iloilo City

Because of its success in recent years, Kasadyahan became distinct from Dinagyang. With the increasing number of kabanwahanan contingents joining Kasadyahan, it has become a “festival of Iloilo’s festivals.” This year, it would be the last Kasadyahan to be held on a Saturday before Dinagyang…as it will be moved to a new schedule, perhaps coinciding Iloilo province’s foundation week or Semana sang Iloilo. And with its exit with Dinagyang, the contingents showcased their best through dance drama.

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

Most contingents this year interpreted in dance drama…nope, not your usual interpretative dance. But dance with drama…with music (pwedeng live or “canned”). Street dancing is still persistent in their presentation…they have executed their moves in swift and sometimes unpredictable dance. Anyway, this year’s performers were the most vibrant among I’ve seen in recent years. There was intense energy and emotions outpouring each and every presentation…and I guess four tribes were able to exhibit such anguish in their work that they may be put into a Broadway musical!

There were 9 tribes that joined in this year’s Kasadyahan and most of them are from the provincial towns of Iloilo.

Tribu Mandurriaonon featured the bounties and harvesting bananas.

Tribu Mandurriaonon

Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy and NIPSC featured the struggle of the Ajuynons during the marauding pirate raids and the use of tambobo or weaved container. Surprisingly, Captain Jack Sparrow was there!

Tribu Tambobo of Ajuy

Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena was reminiscent of the historical Kahilwayan of Santa Barbara…the fight for freedom against the Spanish colonialists and the series of events that lead to the “Cry of Jelucuon,” supposedly the first outbreak of Ilonggo revolt in 1898.

Tribu Jimanban of New Lucena

Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan meanwhile was more of a dramatic case of a disaster striking a community and its eventual recovery and displaying faith for the Almighty.

Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan

Tribu Kasag of Banate depicts more on marine bounty most especially the town’s most famed product, the blue crab or kasag. By the way, they were the defending winner (and is still now).

Tribu Kasag of Banate

Tribu Pantat of Zarraga showcases its town’s main product, the pantat or catfish…from harvesting to the skewers over hot ember.

Tribu Pantat of Zarraga

Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo celebrates bountiful harvests of the Barotacnons.

Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan proudly displays their famed recipe, tinu-om nga manok (chicken tinu-om) from preparation to cooking and serving.

Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras depict the life of the Igbarasnons together with their culture along the River Tangyan and their struggle against a menacing snake . They have also showcased Iloilo’s very own weaving of patadyong…the gold mine way before the sugar industry came in this side of the country.

Tribu Tangyan of Igbaras

Joining the festivities were non-competing contingents:

Tribu Hubon Palayag of Buenavista, Guimaras – depicting the link between the Guimarasnons and the seafaring culture and the bounties of the sea. The group also presented the vestige of Moro-Moro play that was prevalent in the Visayas during the Spanish colonial era.

Tribu Hubon Palayag of Buenavista Guimaras

Tribu Binanog (?) of Lambunao displayed and performed in full cultural regalia of the Panay-Bukidnon indigenous people of Central Panay and its famed sugidanon and the tradition of binukot. They also performed a traditional dance of the Panay Bukidnon  called binanog, a dance depicting two eagles court each other in the sky and mate.

Tribu Binanog of Lambunao

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The winners for 2010 Kasadyahan Festival were:

For the minor awards, Tribu Kasag swept almost all of the awards including best in choreography and performance. Here’s the complete list:

• Best in Street Dancing – Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo
• Best in Costume – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Music – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Choreography – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• Best in Performance – Tribu Kasag of Banate

Major awards:

• Champion – Tribu Kasag of Banate
• 1st Runner-up – Tribu Tubong-Tubong of Tubungan
• 2nd Runner-up – Tribu Patubas of Barotac Viejo
• 3rd Runner-up – Tribu Pantat of Zarraga
• 4th Runner-up – Tribu Mandurriaonon of Mandurriao District, Iloilo City
• Consolation prize – Tribu Tinu-om of Cabatuan

More photos of Kasadyahan here: