Mahinog declares award-winning choreographer as adopted son

Harold B. Antallan

MAHINOG, Camiguin – Award winning choreographer Harold Beldas Antallan is now an adopted son of the municipality of Mahinog in the Province of Camiguin.

This was after the Municipal Council of Mahinog unanimously approved on Monday a resolution declaring the Lanzones Festival acclaimed choreographer from Surigao City as an adopted son of Mahinog.

The resolution which was authored by Councilor Rey Lawrence K. Tan was attested by Vice Mayor Rogerio C. Acle and approved by Mayor Alex R. Jajalla.

The move was in recognition of Antallan’s achievement for bringing the municipality of Mahinog to four champion titles and hall of Famer of Camiguin Lanzones Festival.

“For the fame and honor he brought to the municipality as trainor and choreographer to our contingents, he deserved to be declared an adopted son of the municipality,” the resolution said.

“The Municipality is very grateful for the services he extended as a choreographer of Mahinog for five years since 2008 up to the present and during these years that he trained our contingent we always won in the Lanzones Festival,” the resolution noted.

“He has made every Mahinognon really proud and happy,” the resolution added.

“Mahinog being a fourth time champion is a feat achieved by no other in the province in the 33 years of Lanzones Festival,” the resolution noted.

“Winning the Lanzones Festival this year is again the confirmation of what Mahinog is known for, the home of the champions and town of the best people,” the resolution noted.

“Giving his unwavering dedication, profound and high regard to the municipality, behooves upon us to adopt Harold Antillan as beloved son of the municipality of Mahinog,” the resolution said.

Antallan, blessed with creativity and talent, also won multiple championship titles in Paladong Festival in Hinatuan in Surigao del Norte 7^th times and in Sinulog sa Dapa in the municipality of Dapa in Surigao del Norte 5^th times.

Before he became choreographer of Mahinog in 2008, Antallan was the dance master of another Surigaonon choreographer Randel B. Ruaya when Fatima College of Camiguin dancers represented the province of Camiguin in the famed Sinulog Festival in 2006 and brought home the championship title in the free interpretation category.

Antallan, as choreographer, also became the grand prize winner for his contingents he handled in other major dance festivals like Bonok-Bonok Festival in Surigao City, Sangyaw in Tacloban, Kahimunan in Butuan City, Serong Festival in Dinagat Province, Lukaylukay Festival in Burgos, Surigao del Norte, Bakhaw Festival in del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, and many others.

In 2011 he also choreographed the Camiguin Cultural Group to the Pasundayag Northern Mindanao “Power 10” at Mall of Asia, Pasay City organized by the Department of Tourism.

Antallan finished his Bachelor of Science in Commerce major in Management and Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education at Northeastern Mindanao Colleges (Nemco), Surigao City.

Born and raised in Libuac, a barangay in Surigao City, Harold is the eight of nine children, whose family runs a fishing boat venture in their place.

In 2002 after a brief stint as high school teacher in Nemco, Harold focused on choreography. He quickly gained popularity after a contingent that he choreographed in “Banuahon Festival” in Mat-i, Surigao City won the grand prize.

“Before sa Mat-i daghan nakoy nadag-an wala lang nako na dumduman unsa to nga mga festival kay at that time nag focus paman ko sa pag skuyla,” Harold recalled.

He said he started doing choreography in 1997 when he was in college and the first contingent that he handled was his birthplace barangay Libuac in Bonokbonok Festival barangayanon category which was awarded second place, best in costume and street dancing.

With such a jump in popularity, a blogsite for Bonokbonok Marajaw Karajaw Festival described Harold Antallan as “one of Surigao's main weapon in the field of dance festival.” 
http://bonokbonokfestival.blogspot.com/2009/07/harold-antallan-next-val-lusada.html

“Murag kulba kaayo sa ako nga part kay main weapon man jud diay ko (laugh), Harold replied when asked about how did he feel being described as “Surigao’s main weapon in the field of dance festival”. 

“In short naka salalay sa ako ang mga umaabot nga kadungganan sa amo syudad in the field of arts, in my part as long as maayo pa ang lawas ug daghan pa mga maayo nga mga idea mo flash sa ako mind padayon pa gihapon ang pag hatag dungog sa ako syudad with God’s guidance,” Harold added.

Considered also as a “trend setter of festival” in Mindanao and Surigao, he said he worked under pressure just to live up to others expectations.

“Pressured sa ako part nga ang mga Surigaonon nag expect nga pag uli namo sa Surigao, we can bring home the bacon and that’s my promise to my beloved Surigaonon that we strive to bring pride and fame to our beloved city,” Harold said.

“Every year mag biyahe me paingun sa Camiguin start me sa alas dos sa kadlawon, since my house is around the city proper muagi jud me sa tunga sa syudad going to bus terminal, tulog pa tanan Surigaonon makig storya ko sa Surigao sa hunahuna nga ako e promise nga magdala me pag uli sa trophy usahay maka cry ko sa hilom while nag hunahuna,” Harold added.

Asked what is his technique of being an award-winning choreographer, Harold answered most of the important things are unity, hard work, dedication and Christ centered contingent.

He added time management is also an important thing because we have target dates to be accomplished.

“One week before the final finished na tanan… 3 am nako mag sleep while on the period of mounting the choreography para maka plan unsa napud ako e apply for the next rehearsal. Just like a teacher mag lesson plan gyud,” Harold explained.

Asked being a 4th time champion what it did for him and for the municipality as well, Harold answered:

“Speaking on a personal note, winning is always a sweet achievement and great source of pride,” he said.

“I guess same goes for the town of Mahinog, for CSMPHS and the students,” he added. He said it is because he believes that that for the past four years “our collective efforts, hard work and determination have fostered discipline, unity and friendship among all sectors involved, the local officials, the school, the community, and the trainors alike."

Antallan said Mahinog is already his second home not only because of the good response of the participants to him but also the warm support of all Mahinognons.

Harold Antallan is working with the following production assistants: Assistant Choreographer - Cyril Biasong; Dance Masters - Jayson Villarante, Lester Culdora, Jackpol Casinillo, Gino Sagrado; Musical Director - Jaymar Villarosa; Assistant Musical Director -  Dondick Taliman and Benjie Seraspe; Liaison Officer - Vergelio P Dy; Writer -  Junnar "Ybong" Garrido; Make Up Artist- Mutya Caballes.