City girds for grandiose Fil-Hispanic Week celeb

 By Janice E. Esmane

Iloilo City is proud to host the Fil-Hispanic Week on June 29-30, 2005. It is a grand nationwide celebration held every year in different areas of the country which play an important role in the history of the Spanish conquest.

The event is quite phenomenal in a sense that it digs up the Hispanic legacy of Iloilo which has a big contribution in shaping the Ilonggo culture and heritage. The theme of the celebration is “Tracing Our Spanish Legacy, Strengthening Ilonggo-Spanish Connection”.

The activities involved in this occasion are the photo exhibit, Feria Española , heritage tour, tertulia y tapas , film showing and lectures, fashion show, gala night and street party along Calle Real where our Spanish heritage is remarkably manifested.

There will be a photo exhibit which depicts Spanish related events and architectural structures not only in Iloilo but also in the other parts of the nation. The photo exhibit will be mounted in Museo Iloilo by the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC). There will also be an exhibit of Spanish garments called ternos in Sarabia Manor Hotel and an exhibit of Spanish literature called Palimpsesto. The lecture will be delivered by the representatives from Instituto Cervantes and a film viewing will follow to show the moving picture of the Spanish experience in the Philippines particularly in Iloilo.

The Feria Española is a sort of trade fare participated in by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry which aims to find distributors and buyers and promote Spanish products in Iloilo City. There will also be a workshop on Spanish dancing and Spanish cooking as well as wine tasting and appreciation. Likewise, a tertulia y tapas is described as an easy afternoon smorgasbord of poetry reading, singing, guitar playing, etc. with tapas . In other words it is an easy afternoon delight.

Tapas are plates of authentic foods served up in Spanish wine bars. These are small portions of foods, both hot and cold, served in bars, bodegas and tascas to accompany a copa of fino (dry Spanish Sherry or draught beer). It is literally translated in Filipino as pulutan or sumsuman in Hiligaynon. However, the latter connotes a more informal setting wherein a group of friends shares a bottle of liquor or beer in a street-like venue.

Representatives from the Spanish Embassy, Spanish Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Instituto Cervantes will be coming to Iloilo to share with the Ilonggos the warm celebration of Filipino-Spanish friendship week and savor the Filipino way of commemorating a significant segment of history.

On the last week of June, together we are going to take a taste of Spain as we celebrate the Fil-Hispanic Week with all Spanish ambience and music.

iViva España!