La Castellana, a town severely impacted by the eruption of Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Occidental, celebrated a significant victory as its dance group, Tribu Bailes de Luces, clinched the top spot at the 2025 Dinagyang Festival’s Ilomination in Iloilo City. The group’s win was announced during the festival’s closing ceremony on January 26, 2025, marking a moment of joy amidst ongoing challenges.
The eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9 led to the cancellation of La Castellana’s annual Bailes de Luces Festival, which typically occurs between late December and early January. The disaster displaced thousands of residents, with around 4,000 still residing in evacuation centers as the volcano remains at Alert Level 3.
Mayor Rhummyla Nicor-Mangilimutan expressed her pride in the dancers on social media, celebrating their achievement as a bright spot for the community. The Ilomination Streetdance Competition, held on the penultimate night of the festival, showcased various groups in dazzling costumes and performances.
Tribu Bailes de Luces not only won the championship but also secured several special awards, including Best in Choreography, Best in Lighted Costume, Best in Lighted Production, Best in Light Design, Bingo Plus Best in Costume, and PowerMac Center’s Choice, along with a cash prize of PHP500,000. The dancers’ use of LED lights as props, integrated into their vibrant costumes, added a unique flair to their performance.
Remuel Seladan Lajo, the municipal information officer, highlighted the community’s resilience in the face of adversity. He emphasized the group’s intention to continue promoting the Bailes de Luces Festival across the Philippines, hoping to raise awareness and garner support for those affected by the volcanic unrest.
The dance group has a history of international success, having been named Senior Champion-Dance Group at the 2024 World Champions of Performing Arts in California, USA. They also received the Best Foreign Performer Excellence Award at the 2022 Chungjang Recollection Festival in Gwangju City, South Korea, and won in the foreign category at the 2019 Wonju Dynamic Dancing Carnival in Wonju City, South Korea.