Catbalogan city: The Samar provincial tourism office has initiated a 'Kuratsa' Dance competition aimed at increasing public awareness of the traditional dance in the province. This move comes in the wake of a viral video featuring a "money showering" dance with Governor Sharee Ann Tan.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palejaro, a representative of the tourism office, explained the mechanics of the competition. Participants are required to submit a public video of their Kuratsa dance to be evaluated by judges. The ten best videos will be selected as finalists, who will then perform live on September 12 at the Samar Convention Center in Catbalogan City. Winners will receive cash prizes, with the top entry awarded PHP30,000, and the first and second runners-up receiving PHP20,000 and PHP10,000, respectively. The remaining participants will receive PHP5,000 each. The competition is open to pairs or groups of up to eight members, regardless of age or residency.

Judging criteria include adherence to traditional Kuratsa style, performance quality, and audience impact. Palejaro noted that the competition is part of the province's Creative Industry Month kickoff, not a response to the viral dance video of Governor Tan, which has sparked criticism and misleading claims online. Governor Tan clarified that the video was filmed during the Hermano Night of the Catbalogan City Fiesta, a community event where the Kuratsa is customarily performed, not during an extravagant dinner or government-related event.

Kuratsa is a traditional dance prevalent in the Leyte and Samar provinces, often performed at fiestas, family reunions, and weddings. It symbolizes a courtship ritual, with dancers imitating the courtship movements of a rooster and a hen. The dance also serves as a community fundraising activity through "gala" or "abwag," where money is offered or tossed. The funds raised from the governor's dance will contribute to the construction of churches in Catbalogan City.