Pintaflores 2012 says bye to glitz and glam

What will Pintaflores Festival 2012 be like?

This year's Pintaflores Festival no longer carries a huge price tag since it was agreed that there will no longer be cash prizes only trophies.

As per the Pintaflores workshop conducted recently, the five high school contingents and four of five elementary schools have agreed that the budget for the prizes will be divided equally among them to serve as additional allotment.
The P 300,000 worth of cash prizes for the high school category will be divided among the five to augment their meager budget of P 250,000 each. For Pintaflores-Bata, the total 
P 155,000 worth of prizes will augment the P 150,000 allotment per contingent. 
Joe Recalix Alingasa, City Tourism Officer, said this was reached in response to the challenge of National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) that Philippine festivals should be "bongga" in the sense that they are deeply rooted in the people's culture but need not be a burden on their pockets. 
Moreover, Department of Education-Division of San Carlos Superintendent Cynthia Demavivas sternly implements Education Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro's "no collection" policy. Alingasa pointed that no more collection from parents will be allowed and all contingents must stick to their budget.
In sync, the guidelines were also altered to help reduce expenses and gigantic risers are now prohibited. Set props are not to exceed 10 meters high. A contingent's band is now limited to 15 to 20 instrumentalists. 
The controversial ball gowns are now limited to three special casts of the 60-dancer troop to emphasize the  dancer’s hand-painted white or cream body suits. Sequins cloth are no longer allowed.
The best in costume award is also omitted while the best in cat suit and headdress awards are retained.
Alingasa added that visually, Pintaflores will be less grand but performance-wise it is going to be at par. 
Mark Cui, Association Barangay Councils President and Pintaflores Committee president, simply said, "Let's wait and see," when asked about what this year's festival is going to be like.