“Hadang san Pagtubas” Carries San Joaquin NHS to Street Dancing Victory

CALBAYOG CITY — San Joaquin National High School danced its way to the top of the Hadang Ritual Street Dancing Competition 2026 with its compelling performance of “Hadang san Pagtubas,” clinching the P150,000 grand prize at the Calbayog City Sports Center on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

The school completed a double victory on the night, also capturing the P20,000 Best in Costume award.

Barangay Rawis secured 2nd place with “Hadang Pagsalikway,” taking home P100,000 along with the P20,000 Best Street Dancing Performance title. San Policarpo National High School placed 3rd with “Hadang Pagsalbar,” earning P75,000.

The high-energy competition kicked off at 2:00 PM in the city proper. Contingents assembled along Rosales Boulevard before moving through a parade route that passed Magsaysay Boulevard and Sen. Pres. Jose Avelino Avenue, performing before designated judging stations near Super Metro and in front of City Hall. Major city roads were closed to vehicular traffic as crowds lined the route, with motorists rerouted to the diversion road.

The celebration culminated in a thrilling indoor showdown at the Calbayog City Sports Center, where groups presented full production numbers combining intricate choreography, vibrant costuming, and traditional theatrical ritual.

This year's competition featured six competing contingents, each bringing a unique narrative interpretation of the age-old ritual:

• San Joaquin National High School: “Hadang san Pagtubas” (Grand Winner & Best in Costume)

• San Policarpo National High School: “Hadang Pagsalbar” (3rd Place)

• Tarabucan National High School: “Hadang Paturig-on” (Making its competition debut)

• La Milagrosa Academy, Inc.: “Hadang Kontra Panulay sa Baybay”

• Oquendo National High School: “Panarit: Hadang sa Salog”

The street dancing competition remains one of the premier highlights of the annual Hadang Festival. The performances draw inspiration from “hadang,” an ancient Waray ritual of ceremonial offerings in calling nature spirits to implore Sprotection, divine healing, or a bountiful harvest.

Calbayog's street dancing tradition holds regional acclaim: the city's official contingent is a three-time champion of Samar's prestigious Tandaya Festival of Festivals, winning back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024, and sharing the overall championship with Catbalogan's Manaragat Festival in 2025.

Celebrated every September, the Hadang Festival serves as the cultural prelude to the Calbayog City Fiesta on September 8, in honor of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (CJ/ABL)