Dinagsa Ati-Atihan - Cadiz City

On a road trip  65 kilometers north of  Negros Occidental , the sun began to shine along the way. I then remembered little Aimee saying ‘Mom we’re not going to have flood here tomorrow’ as she watched news on tv the night before.

Indeed this is a bright sunny day here in Cadiz City , oooohhh the smell of dried fish welcomes us. You should not miss to buy one when in this part of Negros Occidental.

It’s the 29^th of January, and today they have a dance parade and showcase of seven festival dances in the province. We were so excited with Bashty, Cecile and Julie –on the job trainees  in the office with good friend photographer RJ Baldonado. We took shots of each group, first was the Manlambus Festival of Escalante with Tourism Officer Vermont and Tinabuay Festival of Murcia with Stella and Mike,  then we met Genevieve Lyn of Manapla for the Mana Pula Festival, and we also met the Sag-ahan Festival group of Toboso with Rob Kanke , along the main street of the city was a group of festival dancers with brown body paints and white designs, I just love the white painted hair and tattooed faces of this group, they had actually two groups of drum beaters with them and to my surprise no less than Himamaylan City Mayor ‘Tinto’ Bascon and  City Tourism Officer  Roselyn Toreta came to support the Himayaan Festival Dancers . 

It really feels good to see our Mayors come and support the festivals of other cities.  Bago City’s Babaylan festival also joined the parade with Mr. Clem del Castillo,  when the dancers with body paints of skeletons, witches and ghosts,  performed the dance of  the dearly departed  to the tune of the Tigkalalag Festival of Isabela,

which is actually celebrated every all souls  day, children, young and old enjoyed --this was a treat for the people of Cadiz.

The Tukib Arts group  painted  faces and legs in whatever design you want for P30.00 each, just cant miss this part when Lamhitanay is part of the game.

Ms. Juanily Pedrosa together with her staff  Nelia, Evelyn, Charito and Ernalie with the rest of the City Tourism Office gave us a warm welcome even to the extent of sharing their place for us to stay overnight with all the accommodation facilities booked.

We chanced upon a visit to the newest resort in town Little Jungle Resort, it’s a 4-hectare property with tall trees and about 15 open-cottages with facilities for barbecue and a clubhouse. Each cottage rental is priced @ P200-P500 depending on the size. Entrance fee for now is P50.00 to include use of swimming pool  @ 3.75 – 6.5 feet deep. This is located one kilometer away from Faraon Institute located at the border for Sagay and Cadiz.   

Dinner followed at the residence of Negros Occidental’s Best City Tourism Officer-Juanily Pedrosa with the Cadiz Tourism staff. After a sumptuous meal, we walked along the streets of the city and went to the City Hall area.

The main street fronting the public plaza and the city hall was closed in the evening as a huge balloon of globe communications was placed in the middle of the street, there were kiosk on the side street and tables and chairs  along the road for revelers to have fun , sing and drink beer and have some barbecue or peanuts, this was the night for Rock Steady band and  Sagay City’s Kahoneros  who entertained the crowd of no less than 1,000 standing and jamming along’ as friend Junine one of the lead vocalist  performed his rendition of I gotta feeling…hoooh hoooh…and Hot and Cold  ‘co’z you’re hot and you’re cold – you’re yes and you’re no- you’re in and you’re out, you’re up and you’re down’… sure  this reminded me of our Wow Philippines days in Intramuros when Junine was our contestant for the singing competition per province…he sure bagged the  first prize and went home with a magic sing microphone.

Second Day…

The day is cool, our first stop is Terrace Garden with fellow judges Ver Pacete, Kenneth Benignos , Hernane Cabahaga of NONESCOST and Ms  Jago of the College of Arts and Science, USLS with   friends, breakfast was a blend of mangoes with danggit or corned beef, naturally , dried fish would be our first choice being in the City that produces dried fish in the province.

We came for the 37^th Dinagsa Ati-Atihan Festival.

Dinagsa refers to the Hiligaynon word ‘dagsa’  which means to come in groups, it  is a phenomenon that happened May 5, 1967 when whales were stranded in its shores each measuring forty feet long and eight feet in height followed by ten more whales five days after, it’s called whale stranding which may be caused by pods of whales refusing to abandon one sick or injured whale and follow them in shallow water- studies shows that pilot and sperm whales are most likely to get stranded than  orcas .AtiAtihan – also refers to dark brown skinned  natives (ATI) dancing in celebration of the feast of Sto. Nino.   That’s how the Dinagsa AtiAtihan was named.

As a member of the Board of Judges in this year’s Ati-Atihan competition for the Dinagsa Festival we were stationed at the last performing area at the plaza fronting the Sto. Nino Church. After the mass, Mayor Patrick Escalante held on to the statue of Sr. Sto Nino on board a hammer driven by Vice Mayor Mirhan as the motorcade went around the city, signifying the start of the Ati-Atihan Dance Festival.

There were eight  Ati-Atihan warriors with more than 50 performers. Most improved guest performer was Tribu ni Bading---the term bading  reminds us of the nickname of former Mayor Salvador Escalante, and the other referring to gays and recognizing their being part of the community  without any discrimination. There were about 40 gay warriors with bodies painted, wearing long blond wigs each with crowns and high heels gracefully dancing with two older gays spitting fire to the amusement of the audience.

All warriors danced to the beat of the drums wearing costumes dominantly made of indigenous materials, the choreography of the dance clearly showed the presence of Antonio Cabahug who brought the Sto. Nino to Cadiz, a dance drama on the villagers rejection of Christianity , and the scene when pirates invaded Cadiz, the apparition of Sto. Nino at the shoreline preventing pirates to move forward, showing the Sto. Nino as savior and next scene-  natives embraces Christianity followed by the merry making as a form of celebration.

The Dinagsa AtiAtihan was judged based on performance, costume, choreography and props, sound which included timing , rhythm, vibration and the groups discipline was important as well. Hitalon Tribe was overall champion, and was also awarded as the Best Performing Group and Best in Sounds followed by Bulawanon Tribe who also got the award for Best Costume, Discipline and Choreography  with  Bobucad Tribe as third place.

we belong

Hitalon Warrior

Merry making went on until night time and Lamhitanay was what made the whole Cadiz more festive. Water based paints in containers like the ones used for Mc Donalds or Jollibee for gravy were sold at P5.00 each and   were used to paint revelers faces. We realized that wearing white shirts would be more fun as you see hand prints all over their shirts, even our van and cars were part of the ‘Lamhitanay’ .

and this van saved as from lamhitanay heheheeh

with Cadiz Tourism Staff

The 37^th Dinagsa Ati-Atihan was indeed fun and full of entertainment. The City’s  festival  was  awarded  Second Place in the Best Tourism Event-City  Festival Category in 2010 by the ATOP and DOT for the Best Tourism Practices National Awards.

Hats off to the organizers and the People of Cadiz!

 Viva Senor Sto. Nino de Cadiz!

Mabinay...its a heartbeat away

Today marks the Dance  on Camera Festival,  Budapest Festival Orchestra, Pongal Harvest Festival of India, Saint Dwyndwens Day “Welsh Valentines day” in Wales and the Burns Night (Scotland and Scottish community) Earliest day on which the first day of Carnival of Cádiz can fall, Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran churches, which concludes the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity),Tatiana Day (Russia),The last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Christian ecumenism) and National Voters' Day in India.  

Here in the Philippines, Vigan gets to celebrate the Binatbat Festival,  Cauayan Town in the south celebrates Lubay-Lubay  Festival. However for 2011,  I got an invite from no less than good friend, school mate, like a brother to me -  Mayor Ernie ‘Jango’ Uy  of Mabinay to be a judge in the Festival of Caves which is now on its 5^th year as conceptualized by my dear good friend as well in 2007.

Governor Roel Degamo with Myla Avellana, Mayor Jango Uy and Me

Mabinay is the Cave Capital of the Philippines with more than 400 caves lying beneath the mountainous surface. I had the chance to go caving as well years back with Travel Time host Ms. Susan Calo Medina. A natural heritage site , Mabinay caves cater to young and old an experience of a lifetime where adventurous can explore, it’s a place where you get to see stalactites (The term "stalactite" was coined in the 17th century by the Danish Physician Ole Worm^{[citation needed]} who created the word from the Greek root stalasso, (σταλάσσω), "to drip".) and stalagmites in their natural color , you can even swim inside crystal water caverns. At times when you move deep down there it would feel like your on a steam bath, and sweat out as you move on , there are also caves where you feel so fresh and cold coz they can be as large as a cathedral down there. But of course, you have to wear the right gear and be with the trained guides the town provides.

LANGUB FESTIVAL

Langub Festival

two crazy buddies

Mabinay Spring

The Langub Festival street dance started at  two in the afternoon at the Mabinay Spring- this is also a beautiful place where one should try in this part of the island, they have new cottages, and a kayak for rent for those who would like to see nature at its best.

friendly staff

There were five judging areas, and nine contingents, the whole production crew just did their job right coupled with their charm and grace. Probably the only festival where you see everyone so relax and in order. Kudos to Hon. Ed Solon and Mr. Prodi Sirilan and of course to the Langub Festival Committee with  Gary Caceres  and the whole tourism staff.

Showdown followed on time at the public market area, with no less than Governor Roel Degamo and Vice Governor Jun Arnaiz  leading the officials and guests as they sprinkled ‘guano’ (bats manure ) on the offering as a ‘palihi’ for prosperity , peace and good harvest.

All the groups performed well with their dance steps and movements like the ‘Birig’ an adaptation of courtship or mating action as flying creatures in the caves (reminded me of the Ibaloy courtship dance I did one time in Itogon, Benguet), followed by the ‘Lupad’ to  fly like birds, they had the ‘Hapulas’ or to touch, caress in a manner wherein both arms are raised and slowly brought down with palms open, ‘INATA’ is another movement which imitates monkey like walk or strut with knees bent outward , and in every cultural dance  there is always what we call the ‘Panayam’ or hunting in a form of dance movements and  ends with ‘Pasalamat’ a gesture of thanksgiving with arms raised as the body sways with twist and turns showing a kneeling position ---these added color and jubilation as a celebration as well of the feast of Sto. Nino.

Fiestas in the Philippines will not be complete without the famous roasted pig ‘LECHON’ hmmm yummy, this was a double celebration for the town fiesta of Mabinay and Negros Island’s Senior Tourism Operations Officers birthdays - Myla and Me.

DOT7, Me, Mayor Jango Uy , Myla and the whole SINATO Family

The whole Sidlakang Negros Association of Tourism Officers came with Mr. Rafael Duhaylungsod of St. Pauls University  and my festival buddies- festival dance icons  Maeng and Rudy with my ever faithful and loving staff Normel and Lemuel…we had fun visiting tourist attractions and of course the Sto. Nino Parish  in Mabinay.

a pedicab ride cost P6.00 and it can take you around town

MABINAY IS A GO GREEN AND SMOKE FREE TOWN...WOW!

As a true blooded Negros Islander…Mabinay is just a heartbeat away...it feels good to be one as an island and unified as Negrenses.

***

Happy Birthday to my dearest mommy Lourdita, friend Teacher Rex and God Bless the soul of our Past President Corazon Aquino who somewhere somehow celebrates this day with me.

 STO. NINO

beside the church

Morning Glory...at high noon when all is asleep...this one blooms

Langub Festival Dancers

in two years time a terminal complex will rise and the town will develop

at the town plaza

Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental

Last December I had the chance to attend the  Annual Cultural Tour of Negros Occidental (ACTNO) for the third time in 15 years, the longest-running cultural tour in the world now on its 38th year. Originally a one-shot deal as part of Ramon H. Hofilena's art promotions, public demand has made an institution. A sincere public service, passengers are charged at cost without profit. Its itinerary is slightly changed annually, and each tour introduces new attraction.

with my  Heritage Tourism class

Tourist and Tourism Students taking up  Tour Guiding and Heritage Class were able to experience a visit to  museums, heritage houses, religious places of interest in  Northern Negros.

The guide is Mr. Ramon Hofilena, @ 77 he may be the oldest  tour guide in the country, yet he is one of the respected guides who has made a difference for  Cultural Tours in the Province of Negros Occidental. This year mark it in your calendars, every Saturday of December 2011 come and join the up coming 39th  Annual Cultural Tour of Negros..

Mr. Ramon Hofilena

Heritage Tourism Class of LCC

at the Bernardino Jalandoni Museum  ( Pink Museum)

the statue of Blessed Lorenzo Ruiz covered with shells by Leticia Ledesma

at  the baptistry, St. Joseph the Worker Church

St. Joseph the Worker Church, VICMICO

with my  Heritage Tourism class

vamos a bailar en la castellana

This is one of the days when you wish you had more time...its the last working day for 2010, everyone comes to the office with smiles, the festive mood of the season shows, most of us had a touch of red...red shoes, red shirt, red clips, red head bands, red  ribbons, red blouses , red cardigans and of course red lips...so many foreign tourist visited the office on  a cool Thursday in December...most of them wants to climb the highest peak in the Visayas- Mount Kanlaon. In fact, the next group of mountaineers just have to wait until the 5th of January to be able to climb - after all this is what they came for.

Negros Occidental is a province which is basically agricultural, known to be the sweetest province in the Philippines. We produce sugar with more than eight sugar mills in the island. For the steam locomotive enthusiast , one can still see or better yet, take a ride on an iron dinosaur at La Carlota Sugar Central  in La Carlota City at the foot of Mount Kanlaon or  Hawaiian Sugar Central in Silay City. The island is so blessed with natural attractions we have the beaches...and the sands'  colors vary just like the types of sugar we produce...there is brown sand , light brown sand like wash sugar, or white sandy beaches as fine as refined sugar, dive sites, waterfalls, caves and springs, heritage houses, sports facilities that cater to national and international  competitions,  bike trails for the adventurous mountain bikers.

The island is also known to celebrate festivals the whole year round. . .sweet loving Negrenses love to dance and off we drove to the town of La Castellana on this cold December night for the Bailes de Luces (festival of lights and dancing) . I practically come to this part of the province every year and the costumes, dance moves, the production of lights just gets better . About ten groups performed with their  muses dancing  on the floats during the parade. Every 5th of January is the arena competition at the plaza, various groups dance playing with lights from head to toe, to the beat of the music as the song goes 'Vamos a bailar en La Castellana'. So beautiful is the play of lights and dancing that many have attempted to copy but never outdone.

So what are you waiting for, lets celebrate Negros Occidentals first festival for 2011 -------------BAILES DE LUCES.