LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) — The Sarung Banggui Pastores from Sto. Domingo town in Albay province was declared as overall champion in the 2023 Bicol Pastores competition at the Albay Astrodome in Legazpi City last December 12.
The Bicol Pastores competition is a collaborative effort of the Department of Tourism Region 5 and the People’s Broadcasting Network, initiated in the 1970s to revive and preserve an ancient tradition that portrays the story of the first Christmas. It is held in the Bicol region every year.
“Pastores” is a Portuguese term that refers to people who take care of sheep or other grazing animals, commonly known as shepherds.
The Sarung Banggui Pastores received the grand prize of PP150,000. The first runner-up was awarded to Oas Pastores of Oas town in Albay with a prize of PP100,000 while the second runner-up went to Tanghal Kulturang CamNorteno-Talisay Pastores of Camarines Norte with a prize of P75,000.
In addition to these awards, there were other special awards given out. The first place for best in musicality was awarded to Sarung Banggui Dance Troupe of Sto. Domingo town in Albay province with a P10,000 cash prize. The second place was awarded to San Juan Bautista Pastores of Tabaco City in Albay with a P8,000 cash prize, and the third place was awarded to Parau Pastores of Pilar town in Sorsogon with a P5,000 cash prize.
The first place in best in costume was also awarded to Sarung Banggui Dance Troupe with a P10,000 cash prize. The second place was awarded to Oas Pastores with a P8,000 cash prize, and the third place was also awarded to Parau Pastores with a P5,000 cash prize.
The best in street dancing was awarded to Tanghal Kulturang CamNorteno-Talisay Pastores with a P10,000 cash prize. The second place was awarded to Parau Pastores with a P8,000 cash prize, and the third place was awarded to Sarung Banggui Dance Troupe with a P5,000 cash prize.
Each contingent was given P15,000 seed money for its participation.
The Bicol Pastores competition is a popular annual competition in the region during the Christmas season. Participants sing and dance to the traditional Spanish Christmas song, “Pastores a Belen” (Shepherds to Bethlehem), composed by an unknown artist.
The performers were mostly young adult females, wearing colorful costumes that included full skirts, round-necked blouses with puffed sleeves, and wide-brimmed hats. Males wore long-sleeved shirts, breast and waist bands, and decorated hats.
The performers used arches of flowers mounted on semi-circular sticks as a common prop. They gracefully danced to the tune of “Pastores a Belen,” moving the arch from left to right and incorporating variations of dance moves.
On December 12, 2023, the street dancing competition commenced with 12 participating contingent performers from the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon competing against each other. Despite the rain that occurred in the middle of the street dance competition, the performers stayed on the street and executed their performance.
The competition proper for the exhibition category began at 6 p.m. after the short program for the competition. Guests who delivered inspiring messages included Rommel Natanauan, the tourism operation officer of DOT 5 representing Regional Director Herbie Aguas, who was on official travel, and Dorothy F. Colle, the provincial tourism officer of Albay.
The criteria for the competition include mastery (30 percent), interpretation (30 perecent), authenticity (25 percent), and deportment (15 percent), for a total of 100 percent. the judges also evaluate the best in street dancing, best in costume, and best in musicality. (PIA 5/Written by Marlon Atun/Edited by Ernesto Delgado)
