On the Dot
By Atty. Helen J. Camarista

WV's top 3 major festivals

The Bureau of Domestic Tourism Promotion of the Department of Tourism–Manila is coming up with a print ad that will showcase the major festival or event for each region of the Philippines . This is in view of the upcoming celebration of the National Arts Month that is February 2005 and also in preparation of the summer months.

In line with this, the DOT Region VI submitted the following festivals/events as Western Visayas ' top 3 for the months of February, March, April and May 2005:

February  

•  Iloilo Paraw Regatta, February 19-20, 2005 ( and every 3 rd weekend of February thereafter), Iloilo City   - an exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras and Iloilo City .

•  Feast of Our Lady of Candles , February 2, 2005 (every February 2 of   each year), Iloilo City- the biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas . The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, Nuestra Señora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her court.

•  Salakayan, First week of February, 2005,   Miag-ao, Iloilo- a weeklong event with the Salakayan   contest , a street drama and dancing depicting the victorious battle of the local defenders against the moro marauders who, in olden days, frequently attacked the shorelines of Miag-ao and divested the people of their belongings.   

March

•  Pagtaltal sa Guimaras, March 25, 2005 (every Good Friday of the each year), Jordan, Guimaras – a Lenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan town in the island province of Guimaras with locals as actors; has been attracting locals and tourists whose visit usually begins or culminates in the trek to Balaan Bukid (holy mountain).

•  Pintados de Pasi, March 13, 2005 (every second Sunday of March) Passi City , Iloilo - a colorful celebration of how Passi got its name . It also coincides with the foundation day of the Passi as a component city.

•  Bantayan Festival, last week of March, 2005, Guimbal, Iloilo – celebration of the birth of a new history and culture of the people of Guimbal as a tribute and reverence to the triumphant struggle of its ancestors for meaningful existence. The magic of the gimba (drum) and bantayan   (watchtower) are the major features of the festival.

April

•  Panaad sa Negros , April 9-17, 2005 , Bacolod City – a grand celebration that brings together all the 10 cities and 22 municipalities of Negros Occidental in a showcase of local festivals, trade, tourism, arts and culture. Each festival is featured in a colorful and jubilant street dance around the Panaad Park .

•  Binirayan Festival, April 26-27, 2005 , San Jose , Antique – commemorates the landing of the 10 Malay datus in Malandog, Hamtic, Antique in mid-13 th century to set up the first Malayan settlement or barangay in this country.

•  Tampisaw Festival, April 20-22, 2005 , Island Barangay Tambaliza, Concepcion, Iloilo – got its name from an Ilonggo term which means to frolick or playfully wade in the water; an annual 3-day festivity to celebrate Earth Day. Features fluvial parade, boat races, swimfest, foodfest, game fishing fest and many more exciting activities.

May

•  Manggahan sa Guimaras , May 22, 2005 (every 22 nd day of May), Guimaras – a commemorative celebration of the anniversary of Guimaras as a province and showcases the premier produce of the province (mango) and the various local attractions. Highlighted by street dancing, technology fair, cultural presentations, painting and many more.

•  Carabao-Carroza Festival , May 3, 2005 (every May 3 of each year), Pavia , Iloilo – participated in by 18 barangays (villages) of the towns of Pavia , gaily-decorated native carrozas (bamboo sleds) each one with a muse on board and   decked with flowers and agricultural produce of the town are paraded by carabaos around the town proper. Another exciting feature is the Carabao-Carroza Race.

•  Pasalamat Festival , Sunday nearest the 1 st of May 2005, La Carlota City - based on an age-old practice of offering thanksgiving to the god of agriculture living inside Kanlaon Volcano. Its highlight is a street dance competition with “tribes” dressed in indigenous materials and swaying to the beat of Sambita.