20/05/2026
๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐
The Untold Struggles of Kagasangan Performers
Sweat, pressure, exhaustion, and uncertainty became part of every performerโs journey in Kagasangan. Loud cheer echoed across the stage while exhausted performers silently caught their breath backstage. Beneath the colorful costumes and synchronized movements were stories of sacrifices, pressure, and perseverance that the audience never saw.
Every May 15 and 16, the town of Moalboal comes alive for the Kagasangan Festival in honor of its patron saint, San Juan Nepomuceno. Derived from the local word kagasangan, meaning โcorals,โ the festival celebrates the townโs rich marine life, world-renowned diving spots, and the iconic sardine run. Yet beyond its colorful presentation lies a deeper story of discipline, endurance, and unity.
For Marcialyn A. Sabanal, joining Kagasangan was not new. Having participated in similar performances before, she was already familiar with the intense environment. Still, familiarity did not make the journey easier.
Very tiring drills, demanding warm-ups, and strict discipline tested both physical strength and mental endurance. There were days when practices stretched for hours, and even a single mistake meant repeating entire sequences. Water breaks came only after long periods of effort.
โAng mga drills namo, warm-ups, and workouts before magsugod, then ug makasala mi, naa gyud consequences. Dugay pa kaayo mi maka-inom og tubig. Mao to ang mga struggles nga akong na-face,โ she recalled.
Despite the exhaustion, what she felt before stepping on stage was not fear but excitement.
โBefore the performance, excitement rajud akong na-feel. Wala koy kulba. Then after, relief kay finally nahuman najud. Itโs just a nice experience jud nga moapil ug in ana, full of memories,โ she shared.
While experienced performers like Sabanal had already adjusted to the demands, first-time dancer Janina Kate Borja faced an entirely different battle. For her, Kagasangan was both a challenge and a revelation.
There were moments when fatigue and pressure made giving up tempting. Rehearsals were physically draining, and expectations were high. Still, she chose to stay.
โYes, there was a moment when I wanted to give up, especially when the challenges became difficult and tiring, but I chose to continue,โ Borja said.
More than mastering steps, she learned to understand the sacrifices of those who danced before her.
โAbi kog sayon ra ilang gibuhat, pero pag na-experience na nako as a first timer, na-realize nako nga dili diay lalim ang ilang kaagi,โ she admitted.
Through the long practices and shared struggles, her respect for her fellow dancers deepened. The experience taught her perseverance and strengthened friendships built on shared hardship.
โMas ni-grow akong respect nila kay despite sa kakapoy, padayon gihapon sila og hatag sa ilang best para sa team og sa culture,โ she added.
Beyond the spotlight, the propsmen carried their own silent burden. For Heinz Namoco, handling heavy props required endurance, precision, and constant coordination. A single misplaced item could disrupt the entire performance.
โAng kakapoy ug kabug-at sa props maoy pinaka-struggle. Mag sige og balik-balik tungod kay bisan usa ra ka props ang masayop, guba dayun ang tibuok performance,โ he explained.
Their efforts often went unnoticed.
โAng props mamatikdan ra kung sayop. Kung sakto, murag natural ra tan-awon,โ he added.
Unlike rehearsals where mistakes could still be corrected, the final performance demanded perfect timing. Once the music started, there were no retakesโonly trust in one another.
For ritual performer Denzel Rain Beรฑalet, the role required more than movement. It required emotion.
โExpression and emotion are everything for my role. It serves as the language of the ritual,โ Beรฑalet said.
Through the ritual, she felt a deeper connection to the culture and meaning behind every step. It reminded her that Kagasangan was not only about performance, but about honoring tradition and faith.
In the end, Kagasangan is more than a festival. It is a story of sacrifice behind celebration, of tired bodies choosing to continue, of doubts replaced by determination, and of strangers becoming family through shared struggle.
When the final music fades and the applause settles, what remains are not just memories of a performance, but lessons in perseverance, respect, teamwork, and friendshipโlessons carried long after the stage lights dim.
Written by Villa Fe Aรฑora
Layout by Raphael Ryan Sencil
