22 photographers compete

in Jagna’s Estokada contest

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol Oct 19 (PIA)—Twenty-two local photographers had their day of fun and shoot with the newfound motivation to help boost local tourism through the Sinuog Estokada photography contest and documentation, which released its winners recently.

Sinuog Estokada, or the local festival in Jagna which recounts the story of the epic battle between Saint Michael the archangel and the devil, depicted in measured dance and colorful contrasting costume, is Jagna’s top street-dancing offer spilling to the town’s main thoroughfare every September 29, feastday of Saint Michael.

Introduced to the locals sometime in the era when the Augustinian Recollects administered the faith, the story of the epic battle also explores the popular Christian tales under the theme of the triumph of the good over evil.

In Jagna, locals have seen that under Mayor Joseph Rañola, a notable push on tourism has been one of the LGU initiatives.

Instead of commissioning professional photographers to help in documenting this year’s Sinuog Estokada, we succeeded in convincing local authorities in empowering the community and local photographers to show talent.

While the LGU would be spending for tourism collaterals development, we allowed local artists to showcase the richness of the culture and the vibrant heritage of the town, immortalized in pictures, explained Sherwin Sapong, whom the LGU tapped to help organize the photo contest September 29.

We released the contest guidelines and posted entry forms to get an inventory of participating local artists in case of local projects, and on September 29, during the street-dancing parade and the ritual showdown, we did not expect such talents, Sapong said.

Awarded winners were First: Angel Baldapan Jr., Second: Gerald James Cabal, Third: Alfe Boloron, fourth: Angel Baldapan Jr., fifth: Angel Baldapan Jr., Sixth: Bryan Jay Bagaipo, Seventh: Angel Bandapan Jr., Eighth: Gerald James Cabal, Ninth: Angel Baldapan Jr,. and tenth: Leah Carmel Regatuna.

Eleventh: Maxigne Lou Delusa, 12th: Angel Baldapan Jr., 13th: Gerald James Cabal, 14th: Angel Baldapan Jr., 15th: Bryan Jay Bagaipo, 16th: Harold Edulan, 17th: Christian Bongcawil, 18th: Maxigne Lou Delusa, 19th: Angel Baldapan Jr., and 20th: Bryan Jay Bagaipo.

The winning photographs are now on exhibit at the Jagna Municipal Hall, after which these would comprise the campaign materials for Sinuog Estokada tourism collaterals, organizers said. (PIABohol)

TRUMPH OVER EVIL. Saint Michael Archangel, Jagna town’s patron saint, is celebrated here in the Sinuog Estokada which retells the story of the archangel fighting side by side with the natives to repel marauders. A photo contest was launched to capture this moment, and the winners were released this week. (PIABohol)