Tribu Mahalilum wins first Bugana Festival tilt in Bago

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Tribu Mahalilum bagged the championship title in the first-ever Bugana Festival Street Dance and Stage Competition in Bago City, Negros Occidental, on Feb. 19.

The festival coincided with the 60th charter anniversary of the city, themed “Better, Brighter Bago @ 60.”

Tribu Mahalilum represented Barangays Ma-ao, Ilijan, Binubuhan and Mailum. Dennis Gonzaga Caguan, choreographer of Tribu Mahalilum, said they did not expect to win but expressed his gratitude to those who supported and believed in them.

He said that despite financial challenges, they were able to pull off a good production. He said their concept was based on a real story about Super Typhoon Tino, which also affected the city and neighboring localities in the south.

“We showed through our performance that despite the challenges from the typhoon, people did not lose hope and instead kept moving forward,” Caguan said.

The group also won the Best in Choreography, Best in Costume, Best in Music and Best in Street Dance awards.

First runner-up was Tribu Duta-Ati covering Barangays Abuanan, Atipuluan, Taloc and Tabunan, while second runner-up was Tribu Buglas representing Barangays Lag-asan, Poblacion, Pacol and Bagroy. Third runner-up was Tribu Hublag representing Barangays Don Jorge Araneta, Malingin, Alianza and Caridad.

The awarding ceremony was held at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center.

In her message, Mayor Mayette Javellana said that every beat of a drum represents the journey, while the powerful steps and graceful turns of the dancers share the stories of sacrifice, dreams and victories of the city in every challenge.

She emphasized that the diamond milestone is more than just a chronological marker. She described the city’s 60-year history as one defined by “courage, sacrifice, and unwavering love for this land we proudly call home.”

This year, the city celebrates the abundance of harvest, culture and faith, as well as an “abundance of hope and love that flows from the hard work and strong spirit of every Bagonhon.”

“60 shining years of growth, resilience, and becoming a true diamond. We are shaped by pressure, strengthened by challenges, and refined by time because of our people,” she said. “This occasion is more meaningful because it’s our thanksgiving to God for all the blessings showered upon us and will be received in the coming years,” she added.

“We celebrate not just who we are, but who we are becoming after 60 remarkable years. Let’s continue striving for a better and brighter Bago City,” she said.

The 60th charter anniversary celebration will continue with various activities until Feb. 27.

Bago City, located about 24 kilometers south of Bacolod, was converted from a municipality into a chartered city on Feb. 19, 1966, under Republic Act No. 4382. The Bugana Festival, derived from the Hiligaynon word meaning “abundance,” is the city’s newest cultural showcase, celebrating the bounty of its agricultural heritage and the resilience of its people.