PHOTOS BY ALLEN ANIMAS
SAOT ILONGGO folk dance competition is strengthening the transfer of Iloilo’s cultural heritage to a new generation, drawing 10 schools and cultural organizations into its third-year celebration as young dancers take an increasingly active role in preserving traditional Ilonggo folk dances.
What began as part of Iloilo City’s Charter Day celebration has evolved beyond an annual dance competition into a platform where young Ilonggos learn the stories, traditions and identity embedded in local dances — and help ensure these are not lost to succeeding generations.
For Saot Ilonggo director Ramil Huyatid, the program’s third year reflects growing interest among the youth in their own cultural heritage.
“Saot Ilonggo has grown because more young people are becoming interested in our own dances and traditions. For us, that is already a victory,” Huyatid said.
He stressed that Saot Ilonggo was established not merely to showcase performances but to keep Iloilo’s cultural traditions relevant and alive among younger generations.
“We want our young people to appreciate our culture, not just see it as something from the past. They should be able to dance it, understand it and eventually pass it on,” Huyatid added.
This year’s Saot Ilonggo Dance Competition brought together Indak Dance Company, Colegio del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus, West Visayas State University, University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas, Iloilo City National High School, St. Therese MTC Colleges, Central Philippine University, Silak Cultural Dance Troupe, Iloilo City Community College and Fort San Pedro National High School.
Panublion: UP Visayas Cultural Dance Troupe emerged champion after the performances were evaluated for movement, music, choreography and research. The group also swept the special awards for Best in Performance, Best in Choreography and Best in Research.
St. Therese MTC Colleges finished first runner-up and captured the Best in Music, Best in Staging and Best in Costume awards.
Iloilo City National High School placed second runner-up and won Best in Production.
The celebration extended beyond the competition stage through the Saot Ilonggo Costume Exhibit held from August 14 to 19 at Festive Walk Iloilo, allowing the public to take a closer look at traditional attire associated with Ilonggo folk dances.
Huyatid said the sustained participation of schools and cultural organizations demonstrates that traditional dances continue to resonate with the younger generation.
“Every year, we see new faces, new dancers and new interpretations. That tells us that our culture is still alive,” he said.
Now in its third year, Saot Ilonggo organizers are looking to expand not only participation in the program but also young Ilonggos’ appreciation and understanding of their cultural roots.
Through each performance, organizers hope the dances inherited from earlier generations will continue to be learned, understood and eventually handed down — keeping Iloilo’s heritage alive through the young people who now perform them./PN
