2006 DINAGYANG UPDATE
3 tribes back out from Kasadyahan contest
Iloilo City -- For lack of substantial budget, three of the 10 tribes in this year's Kasadyahan withdrew from joining the competition slated on January 28, 2006.
Dr. Eden Deriada, chair of the Kasadyahan contest, said the tribes from the towns of Tigbauan, San Joaquin and St. Therese/MTC will not join in the contest. Last year, there were eight competing tribes.
The remaining competiting tribes are: Tultugan of Maasin; Kamunuan of Gen. Leandro Fullon National High School in Hamtic, Antique; Manduriaonon (Mandurriao National High School); Camando ( Buga National High School); Paghidaet ( Lapaz National High School); Bana-ag (Anilao) and Manoggama (Maasin).
Deriada said the primary reason of the tribes' withdrawal is the lack of budget as they could not rely on the subsidy given by the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI). Each group has to have 90 participants.
She added that the town of San Joaquin wanted the committee to wait on what group should compete on the 28th as they are still going to have a contest in their town on January 20, 2006. The group which is going to win will compete in the Kasadyahan.
Deriada said the time table of the committee will be affected if they are going to wait until January 20.
"By this time, all records are already prepared and we could not wait for them," Deriada said. The choreographer also fails to communicate with the committee.
The tribe of St. Therese was stricken from the list of competing tribes. Instead, they will join as non-competing tribe, said Deriada.