CITY OF MALOLOS- Showcasing Bulacan’s etymological names “bulak” (cotton) and (bulaklak), flowers, won on Saturday for San Ildefonso town this year’s “Indakan sa Kalye” dance festival competition in the 19th Sining Kalinangan ng Bulacan (Singkaban) Festival, in the province that highlights and promotes Bulacan’s rich heritage, culture, history and tradition.
San Ildefonso, a vast agricultural town known also as the vegetable basket of Bulacan was previously called “Bulak” because of cotton (kapok) trees that abound in most of its 37 villages. Kapok trees still grow today in the town but have diminished over the years.
San Ildefonso produces tons and tons of “pakbet” vegetables like okra, eggplant, tomatoes, squash including string beans that are marketed to Balintawak, Divisoria and Bulacan.
Eliseo dela Cruz, Bulacan provincial agriculture officer said the ingenuity, grace, color, vibrance and liveliness of the students of San Ildefonso National High School bagged for them the first place award in the street dance. Bulak dance festival is an annual and distinct dance festival of San Ildefonso.
The Bulak Festival also showcases the beautiful flowers in the province, another etymological meaning of the name of the province from the root word, “bulaklak,” or flowers.
The Sto. Nino de Malolos of City of Malolos and the Kapistahan ng Sta. Maria for Sta. Maria town took the second and third places respectively.
According to Dela Cruz, other than San Ildefonso, City of Malolos and Sta. Maria, six municipalities and cities—Kakanin Festival of Marilao, Angel Festival of San Rafael, Kawayang Ginto Festival of City of Meycauayan, Pagoda Festival of Bocaue, Minasa Festival of Bustos town and Libad Festival of Calumpit which are also celebrated annually in different occasions, also participated in this year’s Indakan sa Kalye.
The street parade, in the tune of ‘Makulay na Bulakenyo’, kicked off from the Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral and Minor Basilica at 1:00 pm in Malolos proper and passed through Paseo del Congreso up to Malolos Crossing, and ended in front of the Provincial Capitol building.
Gov. Daniel Fernando said that more than a competition, the Indakan sa Kalye is a testament of Bulacan’s unwavering spirit and commitment to preserve its cultural heritage.
He said the groups competed for the best showcase of the stories of their localities’ respective celebrations through beautiful dances and native music.
“Bilang ang Singkaban Festival ang tinaguriang Mother of All Fiestas ng ating lalawigan, marapat lamang na itampok natin sa pagdiriwang na ito ang iba’t ibang kapistahan ng ating mga bayan at lungsod. Sa pamamagitan nito, at sa pakikipagtulungan ninyo, makakaasa tayo na mapapanatili nating buhay ang mayamang kultura ng mga Bulakenyo,” (Because Singkaban Festival is the Mother of all Festivals in our province, we should really highlight and promote the respective feasts in our towns and cities. Because of your cooperation and support, we can assure the vibrant activeness of our province rich culture), the governor said.
Also on Saturday, the eve of the last day of the weeklong Sept 9-15 Singkaban Festival, the Festival of Floats rolled in this city and in front of the Capitol. Thirty one municipalities and cities and other government offices including private groups participated. The municipality of Pandi won first place in the competing category.
Pandi’s design of tiny crystals of water splashes from its numerous wave pools bagged the top award.
Guiguinto town was hailed with the Hall of Fame award for winning in three straight years the Indakan sa Kalye competition in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Winners of the competition were given P120,000, P80,000, and P50,000 for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places respectively; while the three consolation prizes, Best in Street Dancing, and Best in Costume received P20,000 each.
Singkaban also highlighted theatrical shows and programs, Sineliksik documentary competition, Hari at Reynaldo, Cultural Costume Competition, Tourism and Trade Fair, Kasalan at Okasyon, Bulacan Gay Ride, Veterinary Medical Mission, Musical Fiesta Band “Mosiko” competition and the culminating 126th year anniversary of the Malolos Congress and the Dangal ng Lipi celebration on Sunday, Sept. 15.
