“We must look back in order for us to know who we are today” – VG Alex Castro

CITY OF MALOLOS – “We must look back in order for us to know who we are today. We won’t be able to discover who we are if we are not aware of our roots. And this art and culture that you are showing today is the soul of all of us that reflects us being Filipinos and Bulakenyos.”

This was Vice Governor Alexis C. Castro’s message to the Bulakenyo youth who participated at the KBS Rewaynd spearheaded by the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office as part of the weeklong celebration of Singkaban Festival 2022 held at the Tanghalan ng Sining at Kultura, Mini Forest, Antonio S. Bautista, Bulacan Capitol Compound here yesterday.

With the theme “Patuloy na Pagsikhay Tungo sa Tagumpay”, the participants reinvigorated the singing Kundiman and folk dancing, showing off the skills and talent inherent in Bulakenyos.

Among the 16 contenders, Jayson B. Dimasayao from Aguinaldo J. Santos National High School, was hailed as the champion for the singing category who performed the Kundiman song ‘Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig” and took home cash prize worth P10,000 along with a trophy and plaque of recognition.

On the other hand, the Indak Guiguinteño folkloric dance group from Sta. Cruz, Guiguinto also won against six other dance groups and emerged as the victor for the folk dance category who took home P20,000 cash prize, plaque of recognition and a trophy.

In an interview, Ruzzel Valenzuela, adviser and choreographer of the champion group Indak Guiguinteño, encouraged Bulakenyo youth to pursue their passion in folk dancing.

“Sa lahat ng mga kabataan na patuloy na nililinang ang kanilang talento sa larangan ng katutubong pagsayaw, huwag na huwag kayong susuko at huwag kayong mapapagod dahil hindi ito burden sa atin, ito ay nakakatulong sa buhay natin. Sa mga kabataang Bulakenyo, linangin pa natin at huwag natin kalimutan kung para saan ba ang katutubong sayaw,” Valenzuela said.

PHACTO Head Dr. Eliseo S. Dela Cruz also urged Bulakenyos to further enrich the arts and culture of Bulacan and show what the province can offer.

“Ipakita po natin na ang lalawigan ng Bulacan ay tunay na ipinagmamalaki; na ang ating lalawigan ay tunay na mayaman hindi lamang po sa mga bayani, kung hindi bagkus ay sa mga anak ng sining; kung bakit tayo po ngayon ay may nililingon, tayo po ay hitik sa mabubungang mga pamana ng ating mga bayani. Kaya po para sa pagkakataong ito, huwag po natin silang biguin at ipagmalaki po natin na ang Lalawigan ng Bulacan ay tunay na babalik-balikan; na ang Lalawigan ng Bulacan ay tunay na pipiliin. Pagyamanin natin ang kultura; ang kultura ng katutubong sayaw, ang kultura ng kundiman,” Dela Cruz said. ###