Performers from the San Jose National High School danced their way to victory as they clinched the Grand Prize in the Karatong Festival held Saturday in the “Liberation Town” of Dulag, Leyte.
Six groups from different schools joined this year’s competition as the coastal town marked its 424th Foundation Day led by its mayor, Atty. Mildred Joy Que.
The Karatong Festival is an annual revelry with karatong at the center of the celebration. Karatong is a Waray term for bamboo percussion. The ancient people of Dulag used bamboos to warn the people of invaders such as pirates and tribesmen.
In this year’s competition, none of the participating schools resorted to hiring professional choreographers and musicians to develop their presentation. This as they accepted the challenge of Que to enhance Dulag’s own culture and arts.
The event coincides with the feast of the town’s patroness, Nuestra Señora del Refugio.
