The MPSPC Student Cultural Arts Group (SCAG) emerged as the champion in the Street dancing and Cultural presentation which highlighted the celebration of the 15th Am-among Festival on September 16, 2019.
The MPSPC-SCAG represented the four central barangays of Bontoc comprised of barangays Poblacion, Samoki, Caluttit and Bontoc Ili. The group won a cash prize of P30, 000 and shall also represent the municipality of Bontoc to the cultural competition during the Lang-ay Festival in April 2020.
Adhering to the motif and the guidelines of the competition, the SCAG showcased an adaptation of the legend of Lumawig, an Igorot god who came down to earth to choose a bride in the character of Fhukan, a fair Bontoc maiden.
Dr. Julie Grace K. Mi-ing, adviser and coach of the MPSPC – SCAG emphasized that the reviews and comments from the community and the viewers disclosed that the group displayed synchronization in their movements, smooth flow and transitions, creative use of props and relevance to the theme of the Am-among festival which is “One community, One History, One People.” These qualities provided the edge for the group, besting the other three entries.
She added that the winning MPSPC group was comprised of 38 students of the college who are mostly neophyte members. She further disclosed that the group agreed to use the cash prize to purchase an important piece of a gong called arwas. This missing piece could enhance the quality of sound produced by gongs during the group’s future performances.
Based on the observations during the Am-among Festival street dancing competitions, the sixteen barangays of Bontoc were clustered into four groups that represented their respective clusters. The three other clusters were Riverside (Bayyo, Caneo, Talubin, and Tocucan) represented by Barangay Can-eo; Albago (Alab Oriente, Alab Proper, Balili, and Gonogon) represented by Barangay Balili; and Upland (Dalican, Mainit, Maligcong, and Guina-ang) represented by Barangay Guina-ang.
