TABUK CITY, Kalinga – The Sabangan Cultural Performers captured the hearts of the crowd and the judges as they showcased their rich heritage and artistry during the recent Enhanced Street Dancing Competition held on June 18 at Tabuk City National High School.
With vibrant costumes, synchronized movements, and a powerful cultural narrative, the group emerged victorious, turning months of hard work and dedication into a resounding triumph.
The group showcased the Ub-ubo Festival, a cherished cultural practice in Sabangan and other parts of the Cordillera region.
Their presentation, entitled “Ug-ugbo di Hapon di Béy” (A Communal Act of Building a Home), served as a moving tribute to the spirit of binnadang, a traditional Cordilleran value of unity, cooperation, and mutual aid.
The performance reenacted a beloved community ritual where families and neighbors come together to help build a home. It begins with a heartfelt plea for assistance. In response, men, women, youth, and children from the community emerge, bringing with them tools, food, time, strength, and goodwill.
Men construct the house, women prepare food to nourish the workers, youth help with chores like pounding rice, and children observe and assist learning by example that ug-ugbo is a legacy passed down through generations.
Featured cultural elements in the performance include Hapon di Béy collective house-building, Men-gapas rice harvesting, Men-bayo communal rice pounding, and Basabas offering prayers and blessings to Kabunyan, the Supreme Deity
More than a laborious task, each ug-ugbo is a celebration, an expression of gratitude, faith, and communal spirit.
Through the re-enactment, the performers honored the tradition and the values it upholds: unity, generosity, hard work, and spirituality.
The group, composed of around 85 members spanning from grandparents to grandchildren, exemplified bayanihan, the Filipino spirit of communal unity and cooperation.
Though they are seasoned cultural performers, most are humble farmers in their community. They have previously been invited to perform in various cultural dance competitions across different locations.
Despite facing financial constraints, the group received support from the Sabangan municipal government, through the tourism office and local officials, Mountain Province State University and the community of Mt. Province migrants in Tabuk City
Their performance, though raw and rooted in authenticity, was thoughtfully enhanced to appeal to both the audience and the judges.
Their hard work and dedication paid off, they proudly brought home a cash prize of ₱150,000.
According to Sabangan Tourism Officer Warden Taltala, the prize money will be used to purchase materials and equipment for future competitions.
Looking ahead, the group is eager to participate again if invited, continuing their mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Cordillera. By IJMA
