Street Dancing Winners of Caracol 2017

Street Dancers from different elementary , high school and barangay levels capped this year’s Caracol festival 2017 which was held at the Circuit Mall within Makati City . This year’s marked the 31st year that the festival is celebrated .

Circuit Mall

There are 12 competing groups this year, three in the elementary category, three in high school, and six from the barangay clusters, three for each district.

Each dance group will have 30 to 40 members excluding musicians and props-men. Elementary schools which competed includes General Pio del Pilar -Main and Pembo Elementary . High School are from San Isidro High School , Makati and Bangkal High Schools.

The festival used to be held on the feast day of Saint Ildefonsus around late January but eventually moved to late February and the usual street dancing is held in the morning but the festivities moved to Circuit Mall few years ago. The participants paraded on Hippodromo street and culminated with dance competition held at the activity area of Circuit Mall.

This year’s board of judges includes Engineer Vizmina Osorio , Mrs. Sylvia Lichauco de Leon , Ms.  Ms. Misha Quimpo , Mr. Gener Caringal , Ms. Ellen Fullido and Ms. Gemma Cruz- Araneta ( serving as board )

Pembo Elementary School

Winners

The winners in each category received a trophy and cash prizes of Php 120,000 for the first prize, Php 100,000 second prize and Php 80,000 for third prize.

Cash Prizes was given to the winners of special awards : Best In Costume , Php 40,000 and Best in Choreography ,Php 40,000

Elementary Category : 3rd Place – Pio Del Pilar Elementary , 2nd Place – Makati Elementary School , 1st Place – Pembo Elementary School

High School Category : 3rd Place – Bangkal High School , 2nd Place- Makati High School , 1st Place- San Isidro High Sschool

Barangay Category : 3rd Place- Cluster 1 , 2nd Place -Cluster 2 , 1st Place- Cluster 4

 

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Caracol Parade 2017 set on Circuit Mall

Caracol 2017 through its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office, will stage the 31st Caracol Festival on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Globe Circuit Events Grounds in Barangay Olympia, Makati City.

The grand street parade will be held this coming SUNDAY February 26 and a grand parade and street dancing will be held at around past 4:00pm and will start at the Circuit Mall ( formerly known as Santa Ana Racing Circuit ) .

Origins

The unique festival was conceptualized around 1986 and  was supposed to combine three of the Philippines’ major ethnic festivals, but eventually evolved into a unique cultural event in its own right.

The origin of the name was derived from the  Spanish word, caracol means “snail.” It’s hard to say whether the Caracol Festival was named because of its associations with nature, or because it cycles every year like the ridges on a snail’s shell.

Now , it is known to present the beauty of environment , mother nature and awareness.  There will over 5,000 participants at the annual festival from elementary, high school and youth category.

There will be 12 competing groups this year, three in the elementary category, three in high school, and six from the barangay clusters, three for each district. Each dance group will have 30 to 40 members excluding musicians and props-men.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay Message

Makati Mayor Abby Binay said everyone is invited to join the Caracol Festival, Makati’s version of Mardi Gras, which showcases the city’s advocacy for environmental protection and preservation.

“We are inviting residents, tourists and the general public to come and join us in one of the most colorful and exciting events in the city, dedicated to promoting a deeper sense of appreciation and caring for the gifts of Mother Nature, especially among the youth,” Binay said.

Advisory

MCAO officer in charge May Santillan said the festival will start at 4:00 p.m. with a parade of around 5,000 performers along A.P. Reyes Avenue going to the Globe Circuit Grounds. The assembly area will be at Hippodromo Street in Barangay Olympia, Makati City .

There are some streets that might be closed to vehicular traffic , once the parade had started .

Santillan also said the highlight of the festivity is a dance competition where participants are dressed up in colorful, nature-inspired costumes like flowers, insects, and rare animals.

The will be judged based on costume originality, beauty and creativity, and performance level of their dance. Special awards will be given for the best costume and best choreography.