04/05/2026
| Maytime Festivities Yield Artisty, Dedication, and Triumph
ANTIPOLO CITY — A festival of dance and striking float parade marked the Maytime celebration in Antipolo City yesterday, May 2, commenced at 4:00 pm.
Light ambiance and mix emotions filled the atmosphere of the memorable celebration, while the crowd anticipated the performance of the seven dance troupes—which took great efforts for each of them to prepare their costumes and props.
Seven dance troupes sparked the streets: Ani ng Haring Sining Dance Troupe from Antipolo National High School, Balintataw Dance Troupe of Sapinit Elementary School, Bukluran Dance Troupe under San Isidro National High School, Pilgrims Dance Troupe representing Dela Paz National High School, Talindak Dance Troupe of Mayamot National High School, Sayaw Kultura - Salinlahi Dance Troupe from San Roque National High School, and lastly the Maharlika Dance Troupe under San Jose National High School.
The event continued at the Ynares Center at 6:40 pm which attended by the beauty queens of Antipolo; then a heartwarming speech from the Kapuso casts of Born to Shine.
Moreover, the event proceeded with a prayer followed by the National Anthem song, and Rizal Governor Nina Ynares began her introductory speech.
Furthermore, Kapuso Sparkle artists, Lee Victor, Allen Ansai, and Sophia Pablo anticipated the crowd with their performance and picture taking.
The Final Salvo of seven dance troupes graced the dance floor which the Ani ng Haring Sining from Antipolo National High School began at early 8:00 pm, followed by others in chronological manner listed earlier, then ended with the performance of Maharlika Dance Troupe from San Jose National High School.
The awarding ceremony started from the announcement of winners in the baranggay float parade competition:
Champion (Php 300,000) - Brgy. Mambugan
1st runner up (Php 250,000) - Brgy. San Isidro
2nd runner up (Php 200,000) - Brgy. Sta. Cruz
3rd runner up (Php 150,000) - Brgy. San Luis
4th runner up (Php 120,000) -Brgy. San Jose
Afterwards, each three (3) dance troupes were hailed in every special awards, Best in Costume, Best in Street Dancing, and two dance troupes in Best Festival Queen, respectively:
Best in Costume:
1st Place (Php 20,000) - Maharlika Dance Troupe (San Jose NHS)
2nd Place (Php 15,000) - Ani ng Haring Sining Dance Troupe (Antipolo NHS)
3rd Place (Php 10,000) - Bukluran Dance Troupe (San Isidro NHS)
Best in Street Dancing:
1st Place (Php 20,000) - Maharlika Dance Troupe (San Jose National High School)
2nd Place (Php 15,000) - Sayaw Kultura - Salinlahi Dance Troupe (San Roque National High School)
3rd Place (Php 10,000) - Ani ng Haring Sining (Antipolo National High School)
Best Festival Queen:
1st Runner Up (Php 10,000) - Doreen Ann Rodriguez from Bukluran Dance Troupe (San Isidro National High School)
2nd Runner Up (Php 5,000) - Alexie Manalo under Sayaw Kultura - Salinlahi Dance Troupe (San Roque National High School)
For this year's Festival Queen bagging 15,000 Pesos - Mychaila Gentica of Maharlika Dance Troupe from San Jose National High School
Final Salvo Runner-ups:
2nd Runner-Up (Php 150,000) - San Isidro National High School
1st Runner-Up (Php 200,000) - San Jose National High School
The Ani ng Haring Sining Dance Troupe from Antipolo National High School is hailed as the Grand Champion for the Final Salvo this year earning 250,000 Pesos.
In interviews, participants shared the challenges they faced during preparation. Bea Quintos from Sapinit said their group trained for nearly two months and faced challenges such as exhaustion and incomplete attendance during practices.
“We faced challenges like exhaustion and practicing with incomplete members,” Quintos said.
Meanwhile, John Marvin Peña of Dela Paz Dance Troupe shared that their group began preparations as early as December 2025. He added that they struggled with executing complex dance routines, managing prop transitions, and maintaining high energy throughout their performance.
“Yung challenge po na hinarap namin throughout is yung hirap po ng ex*****on ng dance at paano po namin imamanipulate ‘yung transition ng props, at paano po namin ma-maintain yung energy na dapat mabigay namin sa taong nanonood at mapakita po namin kung gaano kami naghirap,” Peña said.
Audience members also expressed their support, Amiel John Lagaza, a student of Antipolo National High School, said his main motivation for attending the Maytime Festival was to show support for his school.
He shared that being part of the institution made the experience more meaningful, as he wanted to witness and cheer for the performances of his fellow students.
Alfonso Manuel Albino, an alumnus of Antipolo National High School, attended the event to see how his alma mater would perform against other competing schools, he also added that he was also eager to observe the different presentations prepared by each group.
"I'm not new into this type of situation or type of event, mainly my experience would be very ecstatic and I know that every school will have their own thing to present, and that really gives us a very exciting time." Albino said.
Antipolo Maytime Fest 2026 has finally wrapped up by the meticulous craftsmanship of the baranggay float parade featuring adorable themes; as well as the incredible talent and dedication of all the dance troupes participated, who flaunted the rich culture, history, and religion of Antipolo.
Lastly, the unity, dedication, resources, and efforts by the people—parents, students, baranggay officials, and more—to came up with this festivities exhibited the pride of Antipolo despite the scorching heat, it was not only about which garnered awards, but also the shared triumph of all the participants.
| Via Santina Mascardo
Photo Courtesy of: Lei Galvez, Althea Peterson