Makati readies for Caracol Festival on Feb. 22

Makati City is now preparing to stage this year's Caracol Festival—a Philippine version of Mardi Gras—on Sunday, Feb. 22.

The city government said the festival will start at 4 p.m. at the Globe Events Ground in Circuit Makati on Hippodromo St. in Barangay Carmona.

According to the city government, Caracol is a "major showcase of the city’s sustained advocacy for environmental protection and preservation."

The 29th Caracol Festival will start with a parade of 1,000 performers sporting the colors of nature and dancing to vibrant music.

Highlighting the event will be the dance competition for elementary, high school, and youth categories, the city Museum and Cultural Affairs Office said.

For this year, MCAO head Rosalinda Cervantes said, there will be 10 competing groups. In the elementary category, three groups from Comembo, Nemesio Yabut and La Paz elementary schools will show off their talents in ballroom dancing while dressed in marine life costumes.

Three more groups will compete in the high school category, from San Isidro, Benigno Aquino and Gen. Pio del Pilar high schools. They will perform with either retro or pop music, donning costumes depicting endangered species, except aquatic plants and animals.

Meanwhile, participants in the youth category—replacing the barangay category—will dance to either ballet or waltz dressed in flower and insect-inspired costumes.

The winners will get P75,000, while runners-up will receive P62,500 (second place) or P50,000 (third place). The overall champion will get an additional P75,000.

Cash prizes will also be given to the winners of special awards: P25,000 for the "Most Original in Costume" and P25,000 for the "Best in Choreography." — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News