Tumandok’05: Iloilo’s finest

By Wein P. Gadian

An influx of Ilonggos were present at Robinsons Mall Fountain area last September 12-17 to witness the Tumandok’05. The weeklong fair featured Iloilo’s finest products, festivals, beautiful spots and more. It is a fusion of Ilonggo culture and arts. The impressive activities included indoor performances of festivals like the Tultugan of Maasin, Handuraw of Leon and Binanog of Lambunao. A tribe presentation of Panaad ni San Vicente Ferrer of Leganes also explains Iloilo’s religious beliefs.

Iloilo’s best products: furniture, leather bags, native accessories, home decors and the known hand-woven textiles, ‘hablon’ were showcased in the Trade Fair. Participating municipalities in the fair were Guimbal, Passi City, Oton, Maasin, Sta. Barbara, Pandan of Antique, Pototan, Lambunao, Janiuay, Concepcion, Leon, Leganes, Tigbauan and Barotac Nuevo. And Iloilo being the best producers of ‘hablon’, especially from the municipalities of Oton, Igbaras and Miag-ao was also given emphasis in a fashion show entitled, WEAVES. The show featured the exquisite designs of John Montinola and Ian Jorda from the House of Karma. Enhancing the models Ilonggo beauty was the hair and make-up by Rene Delotavo of Suzanne’s Salon.

Highlighting the whole event was the beauty pageant and the coronation of the Festival Queen. Nine participating festival queens competed in an evening of beauty, grace and wit. Crowned as the first Tumandok Festival Queen was the festival queen of Janiuay. First and second princesses were festival queens of Leganes and Leon. Jaki Alcantara-Peñalosa, Designer/Producer created the regal evening gowns and accessories by no less than Socorro Haresco of ICHI PICHI.

Tumandok was spearheaded by Governor Niel D. Tupas, Sr. of the Iloilo Provincial Government and co-sponsored by the Iloilo Tourism Officers Association (ITOA), Central Philippine University Hotel and Restaurant and Tourism Students (CHARTS), DOT Region VI, Negros Navigation, ABS-CBN and Robinsons Mall Iloilo. Other sponsors included Robinsons Movieworld, MOR, Winners Gym and Fitness Club, Classique Video, Chowking, Biscocho Haus, Cybershots, Jaki Alcatara-Peñalosa and all the municipal officials.