CEBU CITY, Philippines – The PxD Dance Ensemble emerged as the grand champion in this year’s Cordova Dinagat Festival Ritual Showdown held in the town’s Centennial Road on Sunday evening, August 9.

The stellar performance from the clustered group of Barangays Pilipog and Dapitan earned them the grand champion title and a ₱400,000 cash prize.

The group outperformed six other contingents in the competition.

Ibabao Dance Ensemble placed first runner-up and bagged the ₱300,000 prize. Tribu La Isla Catarcion clinched second runner-up honors and secured the ₱200,000 prize.

Capitol increases Cordova Dinagat Festival prizes

Cordova Mayor Cesar “Didoy” Suan thanked all the contingents for their wonderful performances and support for the competition.

“Ika-upat ni nakong tan-aw og Dinagat Festival (isip mayor sa Cordova), murag nindot to sauna, pero karon na-shock ko sa kanindot,” Suan said. (This is my fourth time to witness the Dinagat Festival as mayor of Cordova. I thought it was good before, but now I am shocked by how good it has become.)

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro also graced the activity.

During the competition, Mayor Suan announced that the prizes for the winners were ₱100,000 for the grand champion, ₱70,000 for the first runner-up, and ₱50,000 for the second runner-up.

However, Governor Baricuatro announced that the provincial government will donate ₱1 million to add to the competition’s prizes.

Ariela Rose Menguito, representing Barangay Pilipog and Dapitan, was crowned as Festival Queen during the event.