PARADA NG LAHI. The Department of Education (DepEd) Antique Division school principals and teachers participate in the Parada ng Lahi of the Binirayan Festival last Dec. 28, 2019. The festival is proposed to be held during April or May to allow more Antiqueños to witness and participate. (PNA photo by Annabel Consuelo J. Petinglay)
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique -- The provincial government of Antique is mulling to move its Binirayan Festival to summer months to give an opportunity to vacationing Antiqueños to witness the grand historical and cultural presentations.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao said there had been numerous Antiqueños who came home for their vacation and asked her that the festival be held during summertime.
She said aside from Antiqueños, who come home for their summer vacation, capitol employees are also asking that the festival be held during summer when they could fully participate.
“Christmas and New Year holidays are quite busy days,” she said.
Cadiao said the Binirayan Festival held last December 15-30, 2019 was very successful.
Among the highlights were the reenactment of the Bornean datus settlement, Malay Ati competition or an Ati-ati tribe performance, Parada ng Lahi cultural presentation by the Department of Education (DepEd) Antique Division and Festival of Talents that showcased the singing and dancing talents of the locals.
In a separate interview on Monday, Antique Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said aside from transferring the date of the festival he is also proposing to have the festival be held not only in San Jose de Buenavista but also in other municipalities of the province.
“Holding the Binirayan Festival in other municipalities like in the northern towns of the province could also give chance for other people in northern Antique to participate and witness the festival,” he said.
The Binirayan Festival during the previous years is held every December in reverence to the late Governor Evelio B. Javier who started the festival.
It gave impetus to the historic event when the 10 Bornean datus first established their barangay along the riverbed of Malandog in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique’s capital town. (PNA)
