The Business and Management (B&M) department dominated the stage after competing with eight other departments in Sayawtenista ’13.
On the evening of September 9, the last night of the two-day celebration, B&M Vipers generated positive responses from the audience with their Kadayawan-themed choreography.
“Students from our department are very supportive,” said Marietoni Yap, one of the B&M Vipers dancers.
“They cheered for us, bisag daghang mali,” she added.
Robin Tongcua, president of the SAMAHAN Central Board, said that they came up with a fiesta-themed 65th Ateneo Fiesta because the idea was in line with the University’s mission and vision.
“It’s also part of promoting Filipino identity. It is in line with the celebration. Fiesta rin yung ginagawa natin, so pinagsabay nalang natin yung theme and actual celebration,” he explained.
According to the B&M dancers, Sayawtenista ’13 was supposed to be held in August, the month where Kadayawan week is celebrated. They wanted Ateneans to relate to them during their performance, so they chose the festival closest to the hearts of Davaoeños.
The Accountancy Department ranked first runner-up as they danced along Mambukal’s Mud Pack-inspired choreography, while the creative presentation of Lubi-Lubi festival-inspired dance gave the second runner-up spot to the School of Nursing (SoN).
Other performances helped strengthen Filipino identity by making the audiences become more familiar with other different Philippine festivals such as the Aswang Festival in Capiz, Sinulog in Cebu, Panagbenga in Baguio, Ibalong in Albay, Pintados in Tacloban, and MassKara Festival in Bacolod.