ILOILO CITY -- Best drum and bugle corps from the province and City of Iloilo will gather on January 26 for the ‘‘Tambor Trumpa Martsa Musika” (Drum/Lyre (Glockenspiel) showdown that will kick off the three-day highlights of the 50th Dinagyang Festival.
Clarissa G. Zamora, officer-in-charge at the office of the Iloilo City Schools Division Superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd), said “enhancements” have been introduced this year.
Add-on instruments like recorders and tambourine are now allowed for the elementary category.
Participating groups are also allowed to use brass instrument but limited to not more than five trumpets, as stated in her Memorandum Order No. 1.
“This competition fosters unity, sense of community and that the talent and skills of our young people will be developed,” Zamora said.
The competition, she said, is important because it adds “glitter and joy” to the celebration.
The performance will only be limited at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
The competition has two categories -- elementary and high school. During their close to nine-minute performance, they have to perform to the tune of one Ilonggo folk song and another free choice medley composition.
For the elementary category, the competing groups are: San Joaquin Elementary School, Banate Elementary School; Sambag Elementary School; Jaro 1 Elementary School; Arevalo Elementary School; Feleciana Java Kelly Elementary School; La Paz I Elementary School; Iloilo Central Elementary School; Mandurriao Elementary School; Rizal Elementary School; A. Montes 1 Elementary School; and San Matias Elementary School.
Five best majorettes or a total of 120 performers, have been chosen from each of the competing groups to join the production number.
“We prepared a surprise music in relation to the 50th year of the Dinagyang,” said Freddie C. Gallardo, education program supervisor and co-chair of the competition.
For the secondary level, the participants are the Ramon Avanceña National High School, Ajuy National High School and Dingle National High School.
For the elementary category, a total of PHP78,000 has been allotted for the five major prizes while non-winning groups will receive PHP5,000 each.
Meanwhile, the secondary level has allotted PHP75,000 for the winners.
Special awards will include Best in Performance, Costume, Music and Discipline.
Winners of major and special awards will each receive a trophy.
They will be judged based on two criteria -- drill formation/performance with 40 percent and music which is 60 percent. (PNA)
