CHO to tribe managers: Don't use children as performers
Iloilo City -- The chair of the committee on health of the 2006 Iloilo Dinagyang appealed to all tribe leaders to refrain from using children in their performances for the ati tribes competition.
Dr. Urminico Baronda, City Health Officer observed that the children are usually awaken as early as 3 in the morning and were already painted as part of their preparation for their performance. "They should pity the children as they might collapse during the performance," said Baronda adding, "It is strenuous for the children."
Baronda also discouraged the children from doing dangerous dance steps as their heads might hit the cemented floor.
One mistake will ruin the entire performance of the tribe, Baronda said.
Baronda also discouraged the use of firecrackers in the tribes' performances. He said it might create another problem as what happened in previous years.
He also urged the spectators to eat and drink their medicines before watching the event. There are cases where the spectators collapse because they have not eaten anything before going to the city and there are also people who forget to drink their medicines.
Baronda also noted that in previous years there were more cases involving the spectators than the performers. The common problems among the performers are blisters on their feet, said Baronda.