ABOUT US AND ORIGIN
 
CELEBRATED FROM MAY 20 TO JULY 1 EVERY YEAR
 

The term “Pagsalabuk” is of ethnic origin that means “gathering” that came from the early tribal settlers called the Subanos or river people who were part of the second wave of Malay migrations to the Philippines.

At the earlier days of the festival, the presentation was not actually Subanen or ethnic,  it is  just distinct ballroom dancing, on the streets, where dancers promenade in the tune of Tango,  Samba or Swing without the use of any musical instrument except with the accompaniment of drums in any sizes with a beat creating a melody of the dances mentioned above. It was later changed into a more ethnic in nature.

Mr. Alton “John” Caermare Ratificar,  Dipolog City councilor and  founder of the festival elaborates why he uses the Subanen word “Pagsalabuk” he said “…so as to pay tribute or as a tribute to the Subanen tribe who were the original settlers of the Orchid City of Dipolog.

He further reasoned out that he wants to create a street dancing activity which is different from the others with due respect to the sponsoring body of Sinulog of Cebu.

Pagsalabuk Contingents Scrutinize Over Rewards
Pagsalabuk Chairman Ratificar, Sheds Light on Issue
 

In just a few moments of praise and joie de vivre after a very successful week-long celebration of the Pagsalabuk Festival of Dipolog City, there were still a number of unhappy parents who were not dissatisfied with how the festivity took place but with the troubling issue regarding the prizes that their children were supposed to receive for the Pagsalabuk Street Dancing Competition.

The subject slowly grew after being heard and discussed over a number of local radio stations of the city. With regards to the complaints raised by the vigilant parents, they felt that the effort exerted by their sons and daughters, practicing day and until midnight, always hungry and fatigued needs to be replenished somehow. Furthermore, more of their complaints indicated that even long before the Pagsalabuk activities started, the local government made a statement to the participating contingents that they already have P10,000.00 as consolation and would also mean as a tribute to their prompt involvement but it seems, until now, there is still no sign of the consolation prize.

As the complaints reached the office of City Councilor Alton Ratificar, Founder and Over-all Organizer of the recently concluded Pagsalabuk Festival 2003, he saw it fit to shed light upon the issue by calling in a meeting with all the Barangay Chairpersons. Ratificar candidly admitted during the meeting that the local government did made an official statement that even if they do not win, they will still receive the consolation reward. Therefore, the cash prize of P10,000.00 is already assured to any contingent even for just joining the Pagsalabuk Street Dancing Competition.

The foundation of truth of our Pagsalabuk Festival was… designed to create a pillar of culture and tradition to support the Fiesta Celebration of our beloved City of Dipolog.”

For the very reason that the other participating Barangay Contingents were so low on funding, they approached the Pagsalabuk Organizer, no other than Hon. Ratificar, and asked him if it would be possible that they could acquire in advance the P10,000.00 so that they could use it to fund their contingent. According to the majority of the Barangay Captains who attended the meeting that was assembled by Councilor Ratificar, ever since their respective dancers started practicing for the contest, they already started spending on snacks and most of all with the costumes and that made them decide to request for the advance acquisition of the consolation prize.

Councilor Ratificar disclosed to The New Nandau his concern over this seemingly customary problem whenever there is money involved that is why if anybody still has any reservations, they are advised to approach their respective Barangay Chairpersons.

“Kining atong kalihukan sa Pagsalabuk, dili ni negosyo nga dunay mo-ginansiya. Kalihukan kini sa kultura ug tradisyon dala sa mga kalingawan sa pangilin sa atong dakbayan sa Dipolog.” Translated into the English lingo, “The foundation of truth of our Pagsalabuk Festival was not built over a business standpoint where we might think we could gain something from it but rather it was carefully designed to create a pillar of culture and tradition to support the Fiesta Celebration of our beloved City of Dipolog.”

In conclusion, Ratificar humbly announced his appreciation to all those who themselves became the very pillars who supported the Pagsalabuk Festival 2003 that was successfully accomplished from May 18 to May 24. Ratificar, likewise, ended up the meeting by mentioning the augmentation force of the Dipolog PNP, the 101st Brigade, the Philippine Army and other Non-Governmental Organizations who maintained the peace and order condition in all the activities as well as the safety of the donors and sponsors of the Pagsalabuk Games.