A motley of triangular flags adorn the streets and an improvised stage suddenly sprouts in an intersection of the neighborhood. People know that there’s but one upcoming event heralded by these embellishments. A barangay fiesta! To add to the gaiety of the occasion, a dance contest a.k.a. “Sayaw Barangay” is usually held. It lures hordes of nocturnal people, mostly teens, to come and join in the festivities.
Dazzling lights now flood the stage in the middle of the night. The earsplitting voice of the disc jockey doing sound checks is heard kilometers away. Yes, Sayaw Barangay is about to start! A phalanx of dance fanatics and barangay residents converge around the stage. They position themselves in strategic spots for an unobstructed view of the show. Dance groups from neighboring barangays and even from far-flung towns arrive. With them are their props of different sizes and shapes, their costumes extraordinaire, and a precious compact disc.
At the backstage, dancers greet fellow contestants. Faces have become familiar, because almost the same dance groups vie with each other on different occasions and in different places. Dance routines have become predictable. In fact, the environment has become akin to previous competitions. Although novelty is gone, dancers tirelessly swarm these events, big or small. Their goal: to showcase their talent and, if worthy enough, to win a cash prize together with the much coveted trophy.
There are various reasons why these youngsters compete regularly: glory, honor, respect, fame, money, or exposure. Most of them have turned dancing into a religion and the stage a temple. But whatever aim a dancer has, almost everyone wants to enjoy the juvenile years.
The dancers are now preparing for another night of showdown. Some group members take out their costumes and props, while others examine the size and shape of the stage. Team representatives approach the registration area to enlist their group. Organizers collect the registration fees or quota. Choreographers round up members for blocking. After the warm up, dancers don their costumes, apply makeup, and style their hair. Then, they huddle up and say a short prayer. Presto! The dancers are ready for battle.
The battle begins. A diversity of dance genre is showcased: ballroom, jazz, techno, cultural, comedy, horror. The most common is hip hop. Every group does its best to impress that spectators can’t help but marvel at captivating dance acrobatics performed on such a small stage.
There are times, however, when the same music, usually a remix, is used by competing groups. Not contented with the piracy of sounds, other groups resort to bootlegging the dance routine and even the costumes of their rivals to duplicate a previous triumph. As a result, a group appears like a clone of another group. This breach of respect may trigger a commotion and can possibly turn the whole affair, aimed at promoting peace and camaraderie, into a pandemonium.
In the razzle dazzle of Sayaw Barangay, dancers done with their gig change into their street clothes and stash their costumes into their bags. Some wander around and make new friends, while others observe the performance of competing teams and assess their chances of winning. A few drop on a makeshift mattress and wait till results are announced. There are times when a contest doesn’t end until after sunrise.
Alas! The long wait is over. Scores have been tabulated. The verdict is about to be given. As the emcee attempts to create suspense, the nerves of rookie dancers are on ends. Groups that rely on the prize money to cover their transportation costs fervently pray that the results go in their favor; otherwise, it’s a long walk home. The drum rolls. Runners-up are announced. Some are contented, others are not. The champions are finally called. The jubilant winners accept their prize.
The throng disperses. The earsplitting music begins to fade. Props are loaded back into rented jeepneys. Some dancers walk a few blocks to find transportation which has become scarce.
Lights are turned off. Another “sayaw barangay” has ended.
With or without a trophy, a dancer doesn’t really go home empty handed. By being able to exercise discipline, make new friends, learn to persevere, believe in oneself, the night has definitely made each dancer a clear winner.
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