In line with the fiesta celebration of Dumaguete City, the City Tourism Office is now accepting participants for the Atong Kabilin Harana contest set on Nov. 21 at 7pm at the Quezon Park Kiwanis stage.
The harana is a serenade of lyrical slow-tempo courtship songs, typically sang by a man with the help of his close friends, by the window of the lady he is trying to woo.The tradition, mostly practiced in rural areas and small towns, dates back to the Spanish period.
Jessica Layumas, coordinator of the activity, said the contest is open to male bona fide residents of Dumaguete City at least 18 years old and above, with a certification of residence from their respective barangay captains.
The first 10 group- contestants to sign up will be qualified to compete, Layumas said.
Each group-contestant is required to sing two old Visayan love songs. Only guitars or ukuleles are allowed; percussion instruments such as drums, cymbals, xylophones, gongs, bells, and rattles are not allowed.
The entire harana performance must not exceed six minutes; or one point is deducted for every minute beyond the required maximum.
Other guidelines: the choice of songs must be wholesome and pleasing, whose lyrics are not vulgar or sexually suggestive; contestants must be in native Filipino attire; City Hall employees are disqualified to joining the competition organized by the City government.
The criteria include: Singing ability (50%), Stage presence and showmanship (20%), Over-all performance (20%), audience appeal (10%).
Aside from trophies, the winners will receive P3,000 for the 1st prize, P2000 for the 2nd prize, and P1,000 for the 3rd prize P1,000. The seven non-winning groups will each receive P500 as consolation prizes.
The harana contest is aimed to re-introduce the tradition to our elders and provide them the time to “walk down memory lane”, and of course, for the young generation to know that this Filipino custom of courtship is something that must never die, according to City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr.
