KORONADAL CITY — Landan National High School captured the Madal Be’Lan category championship Saturday at the Tnalak Festival’s Street Dancing and Grand Showdown, securing 520,000 pesos in total cash prizes for a performance advocating against early marriage.
Landan National High School won the 400,000-pesos Grand Showdown prize, the 70,000-pesos Street Parade Award, and the 50,000-pesos Best in Music Award.
The winning performance, titled "Uni Falimak: The Rhythm of our Roots, The Beat of our Future," depicted the traditional early marriage culture of the Blaan community. The choreography emphasized education as a tool to transform the lives of Indigenous youth and shift community perceptions on early marriage.
"We stand with you and with IP leaders and elders in protecting the right of every young person to finish school, to grow, and to decide for themselves — free from early marriage and free from pressure," Principal Ma. Jacinta G. Tolentino said.
Following the performance's theme, Polomolok Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative Jerome Y. Ante proposed a municipal ordinance to establish local mechanisms preventing child, early, and forced marriage among local Indigenous cultural communities.
The competition formed part of South Cotabato’s 27th Tnalak Festival and 60th founding anniversary.
Other Madal Be’Lan winners included Saravia National High School, which took first runner-up and 300,000 pesos; Laconon Integrated School, second runner-up with 250,000 pesos; and Sta. Cruz Mission School Inc., which received a 200,000-pesos encouragement prize.
In the Kasadyahan sa Kapatagan category, Norala National High School won the championship and 350,000 pesos, while Tboli National High School received a 200,000-pesos encouragement prize.
Bacongco National High School topped the Kadsagayan A Lalan category, earning 400,000 pesos. Panay National High School placed first runner-up with 250,000 pesos, and Bukay Pait National High School finished second runner-up with 200,000 pesos.
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