Laguna hosted Palarong Pambansa 2014 heats up

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna (PNA) -– Adding to the summer “heat” are the host province Laguna’s “best of the best” musical and dance extravaganza and entertain shows to treat game officials, athletes and spectators which staged the first nightly show Monday evening until May 10 in front of the food plaza beside the Laguna Sports Complex basketball court and the Media Center here.

Host Laguna Governor Jeorge ER Ejercito Estregan has been very visible these days in the sports venues and game sites and took time out to welcome, greet athletes, sports officials, local officials, visitors and tourists as well as pose for photo sessions and selfies.

Gov. ER has stated “the conduct of the national athletic meet in Laguna is more than a milestone for us, a fulfillment of our aspirations of becoming the “Sports Development Capital” besides its national tag as the “Resort Capital, Detroit and Silicon Valley” of the country.

To provide a breather from the rigors of sports, Gov. Estregan directed the Laguna Tourism Culture, Arts and Trade (LTCATO) through its provincial government department head Delto A. Abarquez Jr for the nightly musical and dance extravaganzas starting Monday.

Entertainment Committee Chairperson Peter Jaynul V. Uckung and Elma L. Besabe with program coordinator Arnold David have lined up the best and award-winning among nightly performers and Laguna’s homegrown talents.

The entertainment package and nightly shows according to the Laguna host organizers are in line with Governor ER’s goal of making the weeklong national games “a week of sporting fun and excitement as one for the books.”

Gov. Estregan underscored “let us not forget the real essence of conducting these games, which is to promote the culture of discipline, sportsmanship, camaraderie, goodwill, development of a humble but strong character with a positive attitude and creating unity among all the athletes in our country.”

Host Palaro entertainment organizers disclosed to PNA here that as Laguna prides itself as the “Land of Enchantring Wonders, Refreshing Waters” they also lined up shows that will showcase the Laguneses’ wealth of talents in the performing arts.

They presented the list of performers’ profiles and success in their crafts and unique talent in singing, hiphop, dance sport, dance drama, impersonator-theatrical arts, fire dance, chorale, ensemble, rap, acoustic band, musical instrument, cultural shows, puppetry and magical tricks.

The game spectators, visitors and tourists had dazzling experience for the show opener with the “Showtime” weekly finalist and talented fire dancers of the Magdalena Ikatlong Lahi Organization (MILO) who proved their fire-dancing acrobatics and jaw-dropping skills on “fire-eating” and the hula-hoop of torches.

The Philippine Women’s University (PWU) Ensemble Chorale conducted by Bernard Jose Elasique Jr. also brought the Palarong Pambansa 2014 message through their choral rendition of the theme song “Seasons of Love” from the Broadway film “Rent.”

The PWU ensemble chorused “It’s time now, to sing out, Though the story never ends. Let’s celebrate, remember a year, In the life of friends.”

But, the E-Crew dancers who won in the TV Party on 5 Weekly Championship, Showtime Season 1 Grand Finalist and 2009 Anilag Fest Hiphop Dance grand champion wowed the crowd with their funny sci-fi dance steps.

Garbed in the famous space suit costumes and signature mask and laser lights and smoke effects, the E-Crew performed as the “Star Wars” fictional character “Darth Vader” and his coterie of galactic warriors who were not into laser saber duels but engaged in funny dance moves.

The 2009 Laguna Pop Idol Grand Champion and 2008 Videoke Idol Nationwide Search 2nd Runner-up Eloisa G. Walles belted the pop song “Roar” popularized by Katy Perry.

Walles and the “Da Girlfriends” also showcased their terpsichorean talents in song and dance presentations.

“Da Girlfriends” is the 2014 Pagsanjan “Bangkero” Festival Dance Revolution Grand Champion and has won championship tiltls in the 2014 Dan Summer Showdown Sunstar Mall in Santa Cruz and the Ginuman Fest Dan Showdown.

The pair of 10 year-old siblings “The Brothers” who won “Lumban’s Got Talent” also enthralled the crowd with their dance acrobatics, splits and bends.

Kim Tenorio, 2011 Pilipinas Got Talent grand finalists and 2012 Talentadong Lagunense 1st Runner Up also proved the pair of puppets dancing to the world top chart song “Gangnam Style” could energize the crowd with children and teenagers especially stomping their feet to the rhythm.

Edwin Rodriguez, Laguna’s April Boy Regino Look-A-Like grand champion, D’ Shadow and Showtime DarkDreamer roused the crowd as they joined in the signature chorus “Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin” and “Ye Ye Bonel.”

Not to be outdone was Jennifer Hudson’s impersonator and lip-sync performer Joel Espiritu alias Vanessa who belted out “And I Am Telling You.”

Talented rap singers Mark Joseph Macalalad, Rogem Agana, Ed Gilberto and JM Gienan of “Versikulo Dos” from Kalayaan, Laguna also displayed their outstanding rap performance while provincial government employee Gerard Mancilla, 3rd place at the Civil Service Commission (CSC) 2013 provincial singing competition also shared his singing talent during the show.

Laguna’s homegrown dance group champions and “Showtime” and “Talentado” weekly and monthly finalists such as the Nazty Boys, Plus Factor and Hy KJardinalz performed their award-winning dance repertoire. (PNA) FPV/SEP/UTB