TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) – Twenty-two local photographers had their day of fun and shoot to help boost local tourism through the Sinuog Estokada photography contest and documentation, which released its winners recently.
Sinuog Estokada, or the local festival in Jagna which recounts the story of the epic battle between St. Michael the archangel and the devil depicted in measured dance and colorful contrasting costume, is Jagna’s top street dancing every Sept. 29, the feast day of St. Michael.
Introduced to the locals sometime in the era when the Augustinian Recollects administered the faith, the story of the epic battle also explores the popular Christian tales under the theme of the triumph of good over evil.
In Jagna, Mayor Joseph Rañola has been pushing for tourism as one of the town’s initiatives.
“Instead of commissioning professional photographers to help in documenting this year’s Sinuog Estokada, we succeeded in convincing local authorities in empowering the community and local photographers to show talent,” said Rañola.
Sherwin Sapong, who was tapped by the local government unit (LGU) to help organize the photo contest on Sept. 29, said they tapped local talents to immortalize the event through photos.
“While the LGU would be spending for tourism collateral development, we allowed local artists to showcase the richness of the culture and the vibrant heritage of the town, immortalized in pictures,” said Sapong.
“We released the contest guidelines and posted entry forms to get an inventory of participating local artists in case of local projects, and on September 29, during the street-dancing parade and the ritual showdown, we did not expect such talents,” he added.
“We could use their photo contest outputs for tourism promotions. Besides, those who joined in the contest can also help spread the good news of the vibrant culture , even as plans are in place to revert to the original Sinuog with dialogs between the Christians and the marauders, which could make this festival unique from other festivals,” said Jagna tourism officer designate Love Acebes.
Awarded as winners were 1st, Angel Baldapan Jr.; 2nd, Gerald James Cabal; 3rd, Alfe Boloron; 4th, Angel Baldapan Jr.; 5th, Angel Baldapan Jr.; 6th, Bryan Jay Bagaipo; 7th, Angel Bandapan Jr.; 8th, Gerald James Cabal; 9th, Angel Baldapan Jr; 10th, Leah Carmel Regatuna; 11th, Maxigne Lou Delusa; 12th, Angel Baldapan Jr.; 13th, Gerald James Cabal; 14th, Angel Baldapan Jr.; 15th, Bryan Jay Bagaipo; 16th, Harold Edulan; 17th, Christian Bongcawil; 18th, Maxigne Lou Delusa; 19th, Angel Baldapan Jr.; and 20th, Bryan Jay Bagaipo.
The winning photographs are now on exhibit at the Jagna Municipal Hall, after which these would comprise the campaign materials for Sinuog Estokada tourism collateral. (RAHC/PIA Bohol)
