by Keats Ronquilllo of CCAD
Kasadya during Christmas captures the joy and hope that Boholanos feel during this season.
Kasadya is also a way for Boholanos to reconnect with our rich heritage especially when celebrating the Yuletide season.
The provincial government, in an effort to continue the Christmas tradition and heritage of the Boholanos, started two contests where the towns compete for the best In Dayegon and the best Belen display.
Kasadya 2020 is a combination of 2 contests, the Dayegon and Belen contests aiming to promote the province as a Christmas destination featuring traditional carols and the Nativity scene, rendered with a unique Boholano touch.
The Kasadya 2020 is backed by the Provincial Government of Bohol, the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism, in partnership with Globe Telecoms and TM.
Kasadya 2020 is an local government unit (LGU)-based Belen display and Christmas caroling contests that are focused on the real reason in celebrating Christmas. (See the related advertisement on page 4 and 5 of the Trending section)
The biggest Bohol Christmas-themed contests are out to prove, that the Christmas spirit was bigger than the gloom of 2020 caused by the pandemic.
BELEN CONTEST
The towns were invited to create Belens as entry to the contest. The entry should be faithful to the story of the birth of Child Jesus as told in the Holy Bible.
The town of Guindulman captured the first prize in the Belen contest.
The winning belen from Guindulman was a display of craftsmanship and artistry.
The second placer in the Belen contest was the Municipality of Loon. Loon’s belen used clever landscaping to capture the eyes of observers even from a distance.
Tagbilaran City took second runner-up honors, for its native approach to the Nativity scene. The artisans from the city used native materials and coupled it with excellent craftsmanship to create an artistic magnum opus rendering of the Nativity scene.
The town of Jagna deserves an honorable mention after capturing several minor awards such as
Kakugi, Kabilin, and Katahum awards.
DAYEGON CONTEST
On the other hand, the Dayegon contest focused on songs that carried elements of faith, the Christmas story, and Boholano Christmas traditions.
Tagbilaran City’s entry ruled the contest. The city’s contingent also bagged the prize for Best in Choreography.
The lone city of Bohol delivered a vocal tour de force, without relying much on instruments.
Likewise, the Municipality of Jagna lands in second place in the Dayegon contest.
The ensemble from Jagna was Spanish-inspired and revived memory of the colonial past of Bohol
Landing on third place was the Municipality of Maribojoc.
The singers’ costumes were bright and lively evoking images of the traditional Boholano fiesta.
The awarding of prizes took place on Dec. 18, 2020 with Gov. Arthur Yap leading the awarding rites.
Aside from the major prizes, sponsors Globe Telecom and TM also awarded minor prizes to their choice of winners.
In the Dayegon contest, Globe/ TM awarded minor prizes to Tagbilaran City, winning ₱10,000, Jagna bagging ₱ 3,000 cash prize, and Maribojoc earning a ₱2,000 prize.
Meanwhile, in the Belen contest the Globe/TM choices are champion, Loon town, winning ₱10,000, with the second prize going to Guindulman and bagging the ₱3,000 cash prize and the third placer was Jagna earning the ₱2,000 cash prize.
No doubt, Kasadya 2020 brought out the best traits of the Boholanos as they display their shared heritage. The Boholano
Christmas is always focused on the real reason of the season, and this will set us apart from other people’s celebration.