Pagadians street dancing, ritual competitions cancelled

By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN CITY, Jan. 13 (PIA) Visitors and residents will miss the chance
to witness this years much-awaited, breathtaking street dancing and ritual
competitions, as Mayor Romeo Pulmones announced the cancellation of the
event over the weekend.
Mayor Pulmones told the members of Zamboanga del Sur-Pagadian City
Press Club, Inc. during a press conference that the street dancing and ritual
competitions would no longer push through.
I regret to inform the public that this years street dancing and ritual
competitions will no longer push through due to security reasons, Pulmones
said.
When asked what specific threat does the city encounter, Pulmones
answered he could not divulge the details to protect the informant.
What is important is that we are exerting all efforts to maintain peace and
security especially in the perimeters of Sto. Nino Cathedral, Pulmones
explained.
Pulmones said the activities of Pangadyian Festival (formerly Pasalamat
Fetival) were held in different locations: the street dancing competition is
held in major streets and ritual dancing will be at the city gymnasium, the
regatta and fluvial procession at wharf area, and the daily Novena Mass at
Sto. Nino Cathedral.
Pulmones further said the law enforcers would have the difficulty in securing
the people since the events are not concentrated in one area. The Philippine
National Police (PNP) has a total strength of 169, which is insufficient to
secure the 217,000 residents. With the current police personnel we have,
the PNP is very much undermanned, Pulmones said adding the ratio of 1
policeman is equivalent to 1,000 residents.
Pulmones, however, disclosed that the Pangadyian Sayaw Festival would be
held after the Novena Mass at the vicinity of Sto. Nino Cathedral where nine
groups of contingents - majority of whom are high school students - will
perform a ritual dancing.
On the other hand, the mayor informed the Pangadyian Festival contingents,
which include the performers, teachers and choreographers that they are
going to present their dances during the opening program of Private Schools

Athletic Association (PRISAA) regional meet to be held here in Pagadian City

on Feb. 22.
Akong gipasaligan ang mga performers nga ipadayon ang ilang
performance sa opening program sa PRISAA Regional Meet. Ako usab nga
gihatag kanila ang subsidy sa city government ug ang mga premyo intact,
Pulmones said
(I have made my promise to the performers to continue with their
presentation during the opening program PRISAA regional meet. I have
given also to them the governments subsidy, and the prizes are all intact.)
The popular street dancing and ritual competition, which used to highlight
the annual fiesta celebration of patron saint Sr. Santo Nino, had drawn huge
numbers of local and foreign tourists to flock to the city in the past years.
(FPG/GCC/PIA-Zamboanga del Sur)