TABUK CITY, Kalinga – In a dazzling display of culture, artistry, and creativity, the 2025 Bodong Street Dance Competition brought together six schools from various municipalities and Tabuk City, each vying for the championship title. Held on February 13, 2024, at the Kalinga Sports Center, the competition showcased the rich traditions of Kalinga while integrating modern innovations in dance and performance.
The event was a celebration of cultural pride and artistic expression, highlighting Kalinga’s diverse traditions while embracing contemporary storytelling. This year’s theme reflected the LUMIN-AWA Kalinga development thrust, a movement aimed at uplifting YKalinga communities by promoting sustainable development and environmental consciousness.
Each participating school crafted performances inspired by their hometowns, bringing unique stories to life through movement, music, and colorful costumes. Tabuk City’s New Tanglag National High School showcased the Matagoan Festival, symbolizing the city’s reputation as the “City of Life”, a place where prosperity and community thrive. Other municipalities paid tribute to their respective histories, traditions, and aspirations, making the competition a vibrant and emotional spectacle.
After an intense showcase of skill and passion, the Lubuagan National High School Poblacion Extension and Senior High School, representing the Lubuagan municipality, was crowned champion, taking home the grand prize of ₱100,000. Their performance captivated both the audience and judges, seamlessly blending traditional Kalinga dance, storytelling, and contemporary choreography to deliver a moving tribute to their heritage.
Coming in at second place, Balbalan municipality represented by Eastern Balbalan National High School and Balbalan National High School, won ₱90,000, while Pasil’s Batong Buhay National High School secured third place with a prize of ₱80,000.
Meanwhile, Tabuk City (New Tanglag National High School), Tanudan (BIGA National High School), and Tinglayan (Sumadel National High School) each received ₱50,000 in consolation prizes.
Beyond the competition, all participants were honored with special awards and tokens from sponsors, recognizing their dedication to preserving Kalinga’s culture and promoting artistic excellence.
The Bodong Street Dance Competition remains a highly anticipated event, celebrating the resilience, creativity, and unity of the Kalinga people. With each performance, the festival reinforces the importance of heritage, innovation, and community spirit, ensuring that the traditions of Kalinga continue to flourish for generations to come. By Edward Joseph Gacuya
