CARCAR City’s Kabkaban Festival successfully defended its title as it won the Best in Ritual Showdown award during the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 at the Cebu City Sports Center Sunday.Not only did the city’s contingent secure the grand prize in this major category but it also placed first in the Street Dance Competition.Apart from that, Kabkaban Festival was named the Best in Jingle and placed third in the Best in Andas (bier) category.Carcar City Mayor Mario Patricio Barcenas told SunStar Cebu that they were very happy and proud to have maintained their title as champion for the ritual showdown and bagged other awards.“Dako kaayo namo’g kalipay unya despite sa mga struggles, mga pagsuway nga among natagamtaman, dako kaayo namo’g kalipay, dako namo’g dungog, garbo kaayo namo nga na-retain gyud namo ang pagka-champion,” said Barcenas during the awarding of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 winners at the Cebu City Sports Center on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022..(We’re very happy that despite the struggles, the trials we experienced, we’re very happy about the prestige. We’re very proud that we were able to retain our title as champion.)Earlier, on Friday, Carcar’s lead dancer, Mia Loureen Tamayo, also won the title of Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 Festival Queen, another back-to-back win as Carcar had also won the same title during the last staging of the Pasigarbo in 2019.The mayor said they prepared for this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo the moment Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia announced the return of the festival of festivals after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.Barcenas said they spent about P3 million for the event, including the P1 million that the Capitol gave to the city as a participating local government unit (LGU).The Capitol handed over P26 million in cash prizes for the winners of the different categories Monday.Here is the list of winners and prizes for this year’s Pasigarbo sa Sugbo:* For the ritual showdown first to 10th: Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival (P5 million, while its choreographer also receives a brand-new Skygo motorcycle), Toledo City’s Hinulawan Festival (P4 million), City of Naga’s Dagitab Festival (P3 million), Minglanilla’s Sugat-Kabanhawan (P2 million), Bantayan’s Palawod Festival (P1 million), Talisay City’s Halad Inasal Festival (P900,000), Liloan’s Rosquillos Festival (P800,000), Dalaguete’s Utanon Festival (P700,000), Consolacion’s Sarok Festival (P600,000) and Moalboal’s Kagasangan Festival (P500,000).* For the street dancing competition, Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival (P2 million), Barili’s Panumod Festival (P1.5 million), Liloan’s Rosquillos Festival (P1 million), Minglanilla’s Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival (P750,000) and Dalaguete’s Utanon Festival (P500,000).* For best in andas, Minglanilla’s Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival (P300,000), Mandaue City’s Panagtagbo Festival (P200,000), Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival and Ronda’s Humba Festival (P100,000 each).* For the best decorated van, Madridejos’ Isda Festival (P500,000), Balamban’s Lingaw-Sadya Festival (P400,000), Minglanilla’s Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival (P300,000), Consolacion’s Sarok Festival (P200,000) and Bantayan’s Palawod Festival (P100,000).* For the best in jingle, Carcar City’s Kabkaban Festival (P100,000) and Minglanilla’s Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival (P100,000).Barcenas said he still has to study and consult with the city councilors and vice mayor as to how they will spend the money, particularly for the city’s contingent who worked hard to bag the awards.The mayor expressed his gratitude towards the people behind their performance and to the constituents of Carcar City for their support.First LadyFirst Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos joined Garcia at the awarding of the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 winners at the Cebu City Sports Center on Monday.In her message, Marcos thanked the governor for inviting her to the event as she expressed excitement at witnessing the repeat performances of the winners.“Without a doubt, Cebu festivals showcased one of the best or the best of Philippine culture,” she said.In her speech, Garcia said the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2022 is one of its kind as it set records after a two-year hiatus with 50 participating and two guest contingents as well as 40 festival queens, the biggest participation since it started in 2008, whose performances were “world class.”“And it set a record for there has been no othe