Wankette 21: The Song and Dance

The elections also put a toll on the various festivals in the country.
Many of the dancers who used to grace these festivals are making bigger money as dancers of politicians during this campaign.
Copying the style of Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson who had his "Chavit Angels" who have been campaigning with him since 2004, many of the politicians here also made their own "angels."
In Agoo, La union, for example, mayoral candidate Tess Dumpit has her "Tess Dumpit Girls" in skimpy shorts to while away the long speeches while her brother also has her own "Butch Tak Tak Girls" for his congressional bid.
The Binanbatan Festival here, which features streetdancers wearing the colorful inabel (Ilocos weave), attracted 10,000 tourists and residents who lined up the cobble-stoned streets amid the sun.
The problem was that there were fewer participants this year because of the rigors of campaign season.
Vigan Mayor Ferdinand Medina said that they had about 14 participants who said they woudl participant, up from 12 last year.
"Then as the weeks passed by, the number went down to seven," said Medina of the 15-year-old Viva Vigan Festival which is being sponsored by Smart Telecommunications.
"They said that their local government units have no money left for their appearance or that the dancers were used for the elections," he said.
Medina said that their activity anyway is politics-free and the campaigning politicians were shooed away from the event.
The lack of participants, however, was compensated by the better quality presented this year.
"Many of the participants have made it their pledge to join every year despite the cost," he said.
The University of Northern Philippines romped off with the grand prize with their colorful gypsy rendition of the binatbatan or the dance made from the traditional cotton ginning (removal of seeds).
Medina said that attending the invitational streetdancing cost money and some towns decided to forego extra expenses during the campaign season.