Neither rain nor heat was able to stop the tired but inspired Lanao del Norte contingent as they put on a stunning performance that dazzled the mammoth crowd in Cebu City Sports Center for the Sinulog grand showdown.

            The near-perfect performance was enough to give the contingent their second consecutive 4^th placed finish in the Free Interpretation Category that had 22 contingents competing.  The Land of Beauty and Bounty also won 3rd place in the street dancing competition which was participated in by all contestants in the Sinulog. 

            The showdown performance capped the 5.1 kilometer route of the Street Dancing Competition which tested the dancers’ endurance as they performed their street dancing routine in 7 judging checkpoints along the route.

            “The main reason why we’re joining the Sinulog is to be able to show to the entire country and even those watching this festival around the world that Lanao del Norte is a peaceful province. And I believe that we have been able to do that here. This win is already a big bonus for us”, Governor Khalid Dimaporo said.

               Tribu Himag-ulaw of Placer, Masbate took the 1^st place in the Free Interpretation Category while the Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe of Tangub City is starting another winning streak in the Sinulog-based category after failing to grab their 4^th straight grand prize in 2008.

            This year’s contingent is composed of students from the Kapatagan National High School who was the champion in the Municipal Festivals contest during the golden anniversary of the province. 

            The consistent high-level performance of The Land of Beauty and Bounty contingent is fast making Lanao del Norte a crowd favorite in the annual spectacle.

            “The weather really tested the endurance of the students, but I’m sure the prayers of the parents and our supporters here in Cebu and back in the province had a lot to do with our continued success in the Sinulog”, Information Officer Lyndon Calica said.

            The winners in the Free Interpretation category were: 1^st place – Tribu Himag-ulaw, Placer, Masbate; 2^nd place – Lumad Basakanon; 3^rd place – Pinta Flores, San Carlos City; 4^th place – The Land of Beauty and Bounty/Province of Lanao de Norte; 5^th place – Mabolo Elementary School.