By Dhel Sue Cabiara
After the Silliman University (SU) Band inked a silver finish in the 2026 Sinulog Brass Band Competition, the Dumaguete City Council reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local talents through a resolution.
The band made history on its first stint outside Dumaguete City, besting other contingents from different institutions last Jan. 10 at Cebu City.
During its 26th regular session last Jan. 20, the city council recognized the band’s victory through a resolution sponsored by Councilor Antonio Remollo.
Remollo noted that the band’s win highlights the talents of local youth and stresses the importance of supporting cultural development and artistic excellence in the community.
The resolution commended and congratulated the band for winning second place in the competition, noting that the university “upheld excellence not only in academics but also in culture, music, and the arts.”
Aside from SU, the same recognition was also awarded to St. Paul University-Dumaguete Marching Band who bagged third place.
Co-sponsors of the resolution were councilors Jose Victor Imbo, Jovencio Tan Jr., Melissa Sagarbarria, Jason Patrick Lagahit, Renz Macion, Rey Lyndon Lawas, Maria Marife Cordova, and Woodtam Maquiling.
According to Asst. Prof. Joseph Albert Basa, director and conductor of SU Band Director, such support from the local government would enable them to do more competitions outside the city.
“If magka-chance [to participate] and of course ang support. If naay mo support namo, yes, why not. Exposure pod na siya. If magka-chance then why not,” he said.
When asked about the challenges they faced, Basa shared they had limited time to prepare and faced financial challenges prior to the competition.
“We had only a month so wala mi ka prepare dayon kay Christmas Break […] Challenge gyud namo was financial, because it is a big group of around 50 students,” he stated.
After relaying their concerns to the local government, the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental and City of Dumaguete provided the team with two buses for transportation and meals.
Despite the challenges, Basa said that it was the band members’ decision to join the competition that will raise morale and “make them happy.”
“Actually, the decision was from the students. Ni ask ko nila if ganahan ba sila mag join and they said ‘yes.’ They are proud of being here as a Sillimanian and as a band member,” he added.
Basa furthered that their recognition could also attract students to join the band or enroll at SU.
The competition, themed “One Beat, One Dance, One Vision,” inspired the band’s winning production with their iconic 5-minute Bruno Mars medley.
The Sinulog Brass Band Competition was recently added to the annual Sinulog Festival celebrations in 2025, aiming to revive local marching band tradition by showcasing musical skills and artistry.
