24/07/2026
๐ฐ๐ณ๐๐ต ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐ด๐ฎ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐น
Before the drums echoed through the streets of Gingoog City, before the colorful costumes danced beneath the July sun, and before the cheers of the crowd filled the grandstand, there were weeks of sacrifice, perseverance, and unwavering dedication.
For the contingent of Gingoog City Colleges, Grand Kaliga was never merely a competition; it was a story waiting to be told.
As Gingoog City commemorated its 66th Charter Day celebration on July 23, 2026, thousands gathered to witness the cultural spectacle that is the Grand Kaliga Festivalโ a thanksgiving celebration deeply rooted in the traditions of the Manobo and Higaonon people. More than the rhythmic beats and synchronized movements, the festival remains a living testament to the city's gratitude, prosperity, and cultural identity.
For weeks, the students of Gingoog City Colleges poured their hearts into countless hours of rehearsals. Every drop of sweat on the training grounds became an offering of dedication. Practices stretched from exhausting morning to late evenings as performers repeatedly perfected every movement, formation, and transitionโ not for individual recognition, but for the honor of representing their alma mater and preserving the cultural story they were entrusted to tell.
Their efforts bore fruit. Standing proudly among five contingents, Gingoog City Colleges emerged as the 2nd Place winnerโ a remarkable achievement made possible by the collective determination of its performers and mentors.
Behind this success is the visionary choreographer, Ruffy D. Pepito, whose artistry transformed movements into meaningful narratives. Tirelessly working alongside the performers, Pepito crafted more than just a dance pieceโ he created a masterpiece woven with symbolism, heritage, and purpose.
Every step carried meaning. Every formation spoke of identity and thanksgiving. Every prop was intentionally and carefully designed by Keith Dianne Abao, Gabriel Buque, Khaell B. Socorum and Karylle Jane D. Abao to represent fragments of Gingoog City's rich cultural tapestry.
Even the colors that adorned the performers were carefully chosen, each symbolizing values deeply rooted in the spirit of Grand Kaligaโ unity, abundance, resilience, and gratitude. And the all head of these piece, Mr. Lemuel J. Lucaban who visualized every idea.
What may appear to spectators as a beautiful cultural presentation was, in truth, the culmination of sleepless nights, aching muscles, and countless sacrifices made behind the scenes. The dancers performed not merely with their feet but with their hearts, breathing life into every beat of the drums.
Their 2nd place finish is more than a title engraved on a plaque. It is a reflection of the countless hours spent practicing. It is the reward for every stumble that became synchronization, every correction that became perfection, and every sacrifice that blossomed into triumph.
Grand Kaliga reminds Gingoognons that thanksgiving is not only found in victories but also in the journey that leads to them. For Gingoog City Colleges, the greatest achievement lies not solely in bringing home a trophy but in becoming storytellers of cultureโ honoring their roots while inspiring others through their artistry.
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๐ช๐๐๐๐๐๐: Samantha Louisse Besire
๐ท๐๐๐๐: Zach Rodriguez
