LOS BAÑOS IS ANILAG’S ‘SAYAWIT’ COMPETITION CHAMPION, BAGS P2M IN GRAND PRIZE

THE municipality of Los Baños on Tuesday won the P2 million grand prize in the SAYAWIT (Sayaw at Awit) Sing and Dance Competition  held on the second day of Anilag (Ani ng Laguna) Festival Level Up 2026 celebration at the Festival Grounds of the Laguna Provincial Capitol Compound.

A total of P1 million was given to the participants while another P1 million to the local government unit.

According to Laguna Gov. Sol Aragones, the event brought music, movement, and cultural pride to the stage.

Mayors, Board members, provincial administrator attorney Nathalie Velasquez, provincial government employees, and enthusiastic supporters from different municipalities came together to witness the vibrant celebration of Laguna’s talent and heritage.

Aragones emphasized the importance of creativity and cultural expression in the province, as she highlighted the unique concept of the competition, encouraging participants to showcase their own local music.

Supporters from different towns across Laguna also filled the festival grounds to cheer for their respective municipal representatives in the competition.

“Hindi na lang sayaw, may awit pa na kasama at sabi natin hindi ang jingle ng probinsya ng ANILAG Festival Level Up ang gagamitin ninyo sa inyong SAYAWIT kundi ang sarili ninyong awitin sa bawat munisipyo at mga city ninyo,” said the governor.

She also praised the participants for elevating their performances in line with the festival’s theme. “Bakit Level Up? Dahil level up ang talento,” she added.

The competition featured a distinguished panel of judges composed of respected personalities in the field of arts and entertainment

Among the judges were Bobot Vidanes, Froilan Antonio Navalos, Stephen Ramos, Nesler Louies Almagro, Jelyn Eugenio, Direk Franny Zamora, and John Gaddy, who carefully evaluated the performances based on creativity, choreography, musicality, and cultural representation.

Representatives from the 24 municipalities of Laguna showcased their exceptional talent through vibrant productions that combined singing and dancing.

Each group highlighted the unique identity of their respective towns through carefully crafted performances, wearing dazzling costumes and using colorful props rich in symbolism and storytelling that reflected their culture and traditions.

The winners of the SAYAWIT Sing and Dance Competition were: 1st Place: Los Baños (P1 million for the participants and P1 million for the local government unit), 2nd Place: Calauan (P500,000) and 3rd Place: San Pablo City (P250,000).

The Fiesta Gas Choice Award was bagged by Calamba City; SAYAWIT Best in Costume: Santa Cruz; Best in Choreography: San Pablo City while the Isuzu San Pablo Choice Award was given to Magdalena town.

The SAYAWIT remains one of the highlights of Anilag Festival Level Up 2026, showcasing the creativity, culture, and extraordinary talent of Laguna’s municipalities and cities while strengthening the unity and pride of the Lagunense community.