ILOILO – At least 36 students collapsed during the street dance competition of the Panaad Festival in San Dionisio town yesterday.
According to Police Captain Edward Villanis, chief of the San Dionisio Municipal Police Station, the incident happened shortly after 6 a.m. as the performers began their route from San Dionisio Elementary School.
Nine students first collapsed near the starting point, followed by more fainting spells near Judging Area No. 3, Villanis said.
Initial reports suggest that the combination of extreme heat, lack of sleep, and possibly skipping breakfast of some contributed to the mass collapse.
Seven of the students were rushed to the hospital but have since been discharged. The remaining students were treated on-site by medical teams and festival responders.
This year’s incident has reignited concerns over the safety and preparedness of youth participants during summer festivities, especially in physically demanding events like street dancing.
It can be recalled that last year, a similar case occurred during the same festival where around 28 students also fainted under similar conditions, prompting calls for better health protocols and contingency plans./PN