Katutubo of the north (l-r) Lyzzelle, Connie, Ino, Lorna & Mario

Thank you for all those who celebrated Coco Beach’s 23rd Anniversary! 23 years on and Coco Beach and our Family is still going strong. Our little celebration is really a thanksgiving for all the blessings and all the friends who has continued to support us.

The Ethnic Flair started with a Katutubo Cocktails at the beach where everyone was treated to local wines and pica-pica. The guests were pleasantly surprised to see all the colorful and interesting costumes of the staff that they were constantly taking pictures of everyone. Those who thought that they’ve seen the most was proven wrong as soon as the dance contest started.

From Mindanao - Maranao and T'boli Tribes

Those who can bare it all!

Ethnic music lured everyone to the Heritage Hall for the main party. After being welcomed by Lyzzelle (HR Manager), the hostess for the night and a short but sincere speech from Connie (Big Boss), it was time for a sumptuous dinner prepared by Chef Noel.

Each of the courses was served in their own small huts to continue with the Filipino theme. But, even with all the good food, some of the dancers didn’t get to eat as much due to their nervousness for their performance! Everyone was anticipating the highlight of the night - the Ethnic Dance Competition. It wasn’t just the cash prize that got the staff going, it was the bragging rights of being the champion! Their competitive spirits and creativity was in full swing as the competition began.

The Service Mamas from the Manobo Tribe

First up is the Service Family represented by the Service Mamas was the first to perform that night. They performed a dance from the Manobo tribe which depicts the life of the women and highlights their rice planting activities. The Service Mamas had a beautiful costumes on - skirts made of malong with traditional prints, colorful beads that were consistent to their tribe and baskets that the women used in the field. It was another good performance from the Service Mamas. Representatives are Delia, Angie, Joy, Lalay, Belen, Anna, Estella, Jessica, Cherry, Maribel and Emma with storytelling by Rona Mae and JR.

Manila Team's performance where the princess dances while balancing on 2 bamboo poles

Following that act was the Manila Team with their Singkil dance from the Maranao Tribe. As with the Service Mamas, this tribe comes from Mindanao. The word Maranao, also spelled Maranaw, means "People of the Lake", referring to the indigenous people who inhabited the lands around Lake Lanao whose principal town is Marawi City. The Maranaos are part of the wider Moro ethnic group, who constitute the sixth largest Filipino ethnic group. Manila representatives are Aileene, Myra, Leah, Dendel, Che, Raffy, Rodolfo, Bong, Carlo and Ed.

Zeneivic, Vina and Venus are show stealers on this performance

The third act hails from Kalinga Apayao by the Dining composed of waiters and bartenders. The two biggest occasions for a ragragsakan (merriment) in a Kalinga village are for the homecoming of successful head takers and the culmination of peace-pact between warring tribes. The maidens are Vina, Venus and Zeneivic while the warriors are Ricky, Welbert, Leo, Elto and Ferdie.

Dinnuy-a as performed by the Shopping Arcade girls

Also from the same region is the Shopping Arcade’s dance of Dinnuy-a. It is a slow paced dance performed in most festivities that requires the mambab and munhib-at. Composing another Ifugao tribe are Doc Ariel, George, Klark, Glen, Cris, Layah, Jinky, Ilynn, Lorna, Cathy, Moner and Joe.

Almost bare. The Services men are not afraid to dance and give it their best

The last Ifugao dance for the night comes from the Services department. The Uya-uy dance is performed to the beat of gongs during wedding to attain a higher level in society This is the only dance where all of the performers are men, just like in our 20th anniversary competition of Cheering. Ifugao dancers are Warlito, Orlando, Charlie, Raymond, Art and Vergel.

After their dance, the Kitchen department turns to singing and video presentation

Headed by our chef, the Kitchen represents the T’boli Tribe of Mindanao in the province of South Cotabato around Lake Sebu. The T'boli distinguish themselves from other Tribal Groups by their colorful clothes, bracelets and earrings, this tribe is famous for their complicated beadwork, wonderful woven fabrics and beautiful brass ornaments. After the dance performance, they also had a short video of the Coco Beach Family. T’boli tribe are Noel, Rosemarie, Lito, Rowena, Inday, Onyong, Arnold, Christopher, Christian, Edwin, Chito, Addie, Jun A. and Danilo.

An all out performance by the Info/Activity/Divers

Last but definitely not the least group to perform in the Frontdesk/Activity/Coco Divers with their Mangyan Dance. Headed and choreographed by Mangyan Guide Edwin, the group demonstrates the life of the Mangyan around Kaingin or slash and burn farming. However, the Mangyan’s focus is on regenerating trees on their land that has been affected by deforestation. From the Iraya Mangyan tribe of Puerto Galera are Edwin, Elian, Jojo, Darwin, Carding, Ging, Melody, Joan, Medy, Rosie, Allan, Derrik, Darwin Magsino and Fely Flores.

Some of th judges Celine, Matthew, Jingle and Eric

The panel of judges for the dance competition are special guests Eric Boroy from Baron Trave, Jingle Mendoza from Annset, Matthew Thierry and Celine Quidart from Intas Travel, Vangie Wienemann from Tanawin Bay Resort, Happy Ferraren from LivingAsia.net, Elna Jagape and Ching Dorado from Travel Plus Magazine, Honey Alesna from Summit Media.

And the judges concluded that 3rd place goes to Dining for their version of the Ifugao dance. The authentic Iraya Mangyan dance of the Info/Activity/Divers bags the 2nd place trophy. And with just a .1 lead from the Mangyan is the Singkil dance by the Manila Team. The colorful Maranao clothes and dancing on top of 2 bamboo poles got them that slight advantage. Congratulations to all!

Wish you could have seen them perform? Here are the link to our uploaded videos on YouTube and posted also on our FaceBook accounts. Click on the group names or their respective photos above and it will direct you to the videos. All the photos are also on our FaceBook account.
Service Mamas, Manila Team, Dining, Arcade, Services, Kitchen & Info/Activity.

The Katutubo finalists: Dr. Ariel, Rudy, Clarissa, Aileene, Matthew & Celine

Aside from the impressive dances, those who were fabolous on ethnic clothes were also noticed. The finalists are Dr. Ariel, Rudy from the Services, Clarissa and Aileene from the Manila Team, Matthew and Celine from Annset. It was a very tough competition which was decided by applause. Dr. Ariel with his body paint - we can hardly see him that night, Princess Clarissa (her husband Chef made sure she had most of the applause and noise to win) and a tie between Matthew and Celine for the Katutubo of the Night - Male, Female and Special Guest, respectively.

Also presented that night are the result of the Coco Sports Fest 2009. For the Volleyball Division: 2nd Place - Yellow Team (Kris Villaruel, Zenievic Masungca, Nena Rentura, Emma Dizon, Rose Belmonte , Venus Caguete, Belen Onde). 1st place - Blue Team (Lyzzelle Ceralde, Belen Gabayno, Layah Belmonte, Estella Tadle, Vina Dris, Ana Cabico). Champion - Pink Team (Margarita Manalo - MVP, Joy Frane, Jessica Alfonso, Joanne Rayos , Melody Osorio, Medy Montoya)

Basketball Division: 2nd Place - Green Team (Carding Senit, Vergel Lumibao, Bobby Tubio, Jomel Maranan, Roy Boncato, Basil Ramirez, Ernani Maranan, Arturo Alminiana, Chuckie Castillo, Jhun Dorero, Jerome Docayo). 1st place - Pink Team (Butch Hidalgo, Benrie Cepillo, Welbert Bacay, Balong Belmonte, John Paul Nicasio, Willy Caguete , Arnel Blancaflor, Elto Manal, Danny Capit, Jason Alminiana, Poldo Camo). Champion - Blue Team (Vergel Paderna - MVP, Erwin Castillo, Dominique Garcia, Warlito Aniag, Arnold Castillo, Edgar Flores, Oliver Agustino, Cris Almorade, Nelson Madrilleno, Jun Abenojar)

As it is a thanksgiving party, the management of Coco Beach gave thanks to travel agencies who has been consistently promoting us through the years. The Loyalty Awardees are C&C Travel, Asia Venture, Intas Destination, Mosconi Tours, H & P Family Travel, Jysk Rejsebureau, Asia Travel, Sun + Fun Travel and Yeson Travel.

As the night ends to even more dancing, the year to having stronger relationships, let us all thank you for all the support. Salamat at mabuhay!