On the Dot
By Helen J. Camarista

Younger festivals should give way to older/bigger ones

Last issue, On the Dot headlined 140 festivals and counting and pointed out that Western Visayas may aptly be called " Region of Festivals" with the quantity and quality of festivals found in this region. We can say without fear of contradiction that the best and the grandest festivals in the Philippines are found in Western Visayas. The results of the recently-concluded Aliwan Fiesta in Manila with Pintados de Pasi, Kahilwayan Festival and Tribu Silak-Dinagyang Festival as Grand Champion, 2 nd Place and 3 rd Place winners, respectively, attest to the supremacy of regional capital Iloilo in the Philippines' festival department. Congratulations to the winners. We are very proud of all of you. Keep the Ilonggo banner up. To all Western Visayans, let's keep supporting our festivals materially and through our prayers.

Summer months are festival months in Western Visayas as in other parts of the Philippines. For the month of May, this region is loaded with festivals most of them included in the Department of Tourism's Calendar of Festivals and Events. A close look and this calendar would show that there are 2 or more festivals sharing the same date. May 1, 2005 - this Sunday- is shared by four festivals, namely, Sinaot Festival of President Roxas, Capiz, Ugyonan Festival of E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, Tubong-Tubong Festival, and Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.

Pavia, Oton and Dumangas towns in Iloilo share May 3 with Carabao-Carroza, Katagman (Ogtonganon) and Pahaw-as festivals, respectively. Manggahan sa Guimaras , the identity festival of the Province of Guimaras shares May 22 with Tagbuan Festival of Pilar, Capiz.

The Western Visayas Calendar of Festivals and Events would be more than just a chronological arrangement of the dates of festivals and events in this region if they are not held altogether in certain days with a lot of empty dates in between. For one thing, our festivals need not compete with one another in terms of attendance and publicity. Festivals, aside from their religious, historical or cultural significance, are basically economic activities dependent on their crowd drawing power for success. Western Visayans, domestic and foreign tourists cannot divide themselves in halves or in quarters to be in more than one festival/event in a day. If they decide to go to one, they forego attendance in the other/s.

This concern should be addressed by the provinces where the festivals/events are located if they want their own municipal/ city festivals to progress. Except for festivals that fall on the LGUs' foundation day, younger festivals should give way to older/bigger ones in terms of their dates. Why give way to an older festival? The reason is obvious. Older festivals have established their respective identities already. They are already in the guide books, brochures and internet. Younger festivals that want to graduate from the status of "just a local event" should choose a date that is not yet occupied by another preexisting festival.

This way, they can be given the publicity, attendance, attention and focus that they deserve.