As seen by a spectator who has come so close to the action she has even become part of it
By Georgene Rhena Papal Quilaton
The humid air reverberates with drumbeats. Streets are crowded with colors. Bodies project erratic movements. Faces are painted with flowers. This is the festival which has brought festive sounds, vibrant colors, jovial motion, and a remarkable traditional practice on the streets of San Carlos City for 16 years now. This is Pintaflores.
It has been two years since I was given the opportunity to experience it like no other spectator can. For two years, I have carefully taken notice of detail changes which I dub Pintaflores Evolution.
Covering the streetdancing competition for the Information and Publications Office of the San Carlos City Hall has brought me so close to the action that one time I even got to dance with the San Carlos City contingent, a non-competing group in the open invitational competition.
Indeed I have become so close that I cannot hold back emotions which I relate to some of my observations as the Pintaflores Evolution unfolds right before my eyes.
Last year, the City invited festivals from different cities and municipalities all over the Negros Island to join Pintaflores as competitors. Whatever was the true intention behind that move, it was the spark-plug which enabled Pintaflores to catch the attention of the media world. This year, I have noticed that camera lenses are on Pintaflores. After 16 long years, my dream of our festival getting featured by various television networks and becoming the subject of photographic exhibitions has come true.
During the first run of the open invitational category, I was practically blank; as in, I did not know what to expect, nor did I understand the essence of other festivals coming to San Carlos. The idea of joining the Pintaflores concept with the concept of another festival seemed very far out. Although I appreciated the huge effort of last year’s contingents, I have noticed that they too were at a loss, too.
This year, the whole picture has illumined. We may have had fewer contingents but we have seen much more. The 2008 contingents no longer tried to force the union of their respective festival’s concept with that of Pintaflores. Although they have abided with the rules and technical requirements, they have honestly showcased their own story, tradition and culture with their performances. With that we have become oriented with the uniqueness of the culture and beliefs of other people who also thrive in the same island as we do.
There is no use doubting the fact that every year Pintaflores is becoming grander, bigger and more glamorous particularly the Pintaflores Bata Competition. During my elementary days, Pintabata was just an appetizer to the main dish held usually days before the celebration proper which is from November 3-5.
Now, the children have become worthy performers. The performances have added spicy, hot flavor to the competition. And, the category itself has served as training ground for future dancers worthy of opportunities in competitions outside our boundaries.
Pintabata costumes have brought sparkle and elegance to the plethora of outfits on the streets. The creativity of the routines show that Pintaflores still has a lot more to show its spectators in the years to come.
Under the scorching sun, everything has to come to an end but it has been a very explosive ending. I have felt like journeying through time. Yes, the streetdancing competition has been a colorful, loud, and happy journey.
At the end of it, I have come to the beginning of Pintaflores. The San Carlos City contingent, still an exhibition group, has shown what Pintaflores really is. No glittering ball gowns, no excessive beads, but just tight fitting, skin toned, jump suits which resemble bare human skin. Flower and abstract patterns have been painted on the suits to show the real idea of Pintaflores—that is human skin painted with flowers.
Bodies covered only with suits have executed pure movements, true dancing prowess, grace and the reality of the past, long before the Pintaflores Evolution has begun. I have feasted by eyes by allowing my camera to capture the moment. I have expressed my awe by enjoying the spectacle passing right under my nose. And, while I have been trying to hold on to my reverie, everything has passed and ended.
Pintaflores is a year-in-year-out event in the jargon of journalists. But every year, there is some things intriguing, delightful, and scornful to it. These things make it worth our observations, criticisms, appreciations and praises.
Like all the other years, the parade has come only to pass but this time the spectacle has been captured by still shots and preserved by camera reels for the entire world to see.
Georgene is in her senior year as a BA Broadcast Communication student at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas, Miagao, Iloilo.
