BAGUIO CITY – Saint Louis University – Center for Culture and the Arts (SLU-CCA) participants filled Melvin Jones Football Grounds with shouts of joy as they bagged the championship title for the Festival Dance category under the Street Dance Parade competitions last February 22.
The group also garnered awards for Best in Music and Best in Choreography alongside 200,000 pesos prize, setting them apart from six other competing groups from various places in and outside the region. Kalinga’s Bibyun Lubuagan was awarded first runner-up with a prize of 100,000 pesos while Bacnotan, La Union’s Tawid a Balitok won second runner-up with a prize of 70,000 pesos and was also recognized with the Best in Costume award.
Other groups that participated the competition were Bitulok Tribe from Nueva Ecija, Pinsao National High School Cultural Ensamble, Amputi Layag Street Dancers from Pangasinan, and Tribu Hiraya Manawari – Linubian Festival from Rosario, La Union, who each presented stunning performances.
SLU-CCA’s concept centered on water, entitling their performing piece as “Bagbagtu”, which is a Cordilleran chant. The piece envisions a drought-stricken land and follows the story of a girl who learns a chant capable of summoning rain. By using this chant, she brings back water into the land, reviving it.
“Creating a concept is always a long journey,” SLU-CCA Choreographer Sherwin Santiago stated. “It’s about pushing beyond the usual scenery, finding ways to stand out, and working creatively with limited materials. The challenge is not just in the execution but in how you make every element – devices, techniques, and storytelling – align with your vision.”
Santiago gave importance to thorough research and discussion during their preparation, especially when facing limited resources. “I’ve always feared competing in street dance, knowing each group’s high standards and caliber. In an environment where grand visuals can elevate a performance, having limited resources can feel like a disadvantage. But, as I’ve said, limitations are also strengths.”
Elaiza Castro, a participant and senior member of SLU-CCA, reflects on the experience as her last participation in the competition. “Nakaka-proud siya kasi we did our part, our job in representing SLU, the whole Louisian Community. Nagamit namin lahat ng naging training namin to make this performance successful. When it comes to performing kasi, you will not focus on winning. The main goal is to present it to your audience how you would like [them to] imagine kapag ikaw yung nanonood. So for me, na-achieve namin yung goal na yun. Naiparating namin sa kanila yung mga gusto namin maiparating.”
This championship marks SLU-CCA’s return to the top after a one-year hiatus from the Panagbenga Street Dance Competition, for which they have always been known to champion multiple times. By Aiyra Marzan
