Tubungan's Tubong-tubong Festival

By Wein P. Gadian

Tubungan, a town situated on the southcentral part of Iloilo, will be celebrating its Tubong-tubong Festival this Sunday, May 1.

The festival is a collection of socio-cultural activities that would showcase the Tubunganon's ability and talents.

The annual celebration is capped by the Tribal Drama competition. Various tribes from the barangays depict the diverse beliefs, customs and traditions of Tubunganons.

Street dancing follows the tribes contest.

This year's festival focuses on the theme, "Kasugpon sang Kahapon... Masanag nga Palaabuton."

The Festival hopes to unify and consolidate the identity of Tubungangons.

The organizers have lined up different activities.

There will be a civic parade, food festival, an agri-fair showcasing the town's products, flower show featuring cutflowers, and a one-stop shop. All these will be at the town plaza.

The town's Philippine National Police has also organized a beauty contest, dubbed PNP Babes, which will be held tonight (April 29) beginning 7 p.m.

On Saturday, there will be a marathon, a Bicycle Drag Race and several other sports activities.

Showcase of civic spirit

Tubungan is a town showcasing the Filipino tradition of bayanihan.

It derived its name from the word 'tubong,' a term used in gambling or in games, meaning 'addition,' 'contribution' or 'chip-in' to original bet.

It was formally founded in 1768 through the efforts of Tan Mangon in Barrio Tin-an, which now forms part of the present town site, and through the "contribution"or "tubong" of people who settled in from Barangay Nahapay in Guimbal and from the neighboring towns of Igbaras, Leon and Tigbauan.

It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Leon, on the south by the municipality of Guimbal, on the east by the municipality of Tigbauan and on the west by the municipality of Igbaras.

The town was once a part of the Municipality of Guimbal.

President Manuel L. Quezon's issuance of the Executive Order No. 143 declared it as an independent municipality on May 1, 1938.

It is 45 kilometers from Iloilo City, about an hour's travel.

There are 48 barangays including three zones in the poblacion.

Tubungan is a fifth class municipality with a total land area of 8,518 hectares, mostly rolling hills and mountains and limited plains blending its uniqueness.

It produces rice, root crops, fruits, legumes and corn.

Owing to its topography, the town has waterfalls.

Situated about 11 kms. from the town is the Bato Sumpit in Brgy. Igtuble and the Indug Bato in Brgy. Molina.

A must see is the uniquely shaped-mountain Pinihakan Daraga also at Brgy. Igtuble.

Other areas to visit is the Cruz sa Balabago, a spanish landmark in Brgy. Batga, about 5 kms. from the town.

At the town proper is the oldest kalachuchi in the province. The tree, approximately 200 years old, stands at the St. Anthony's Parish Church.Even the church itself if a tourist attraction. It was built during the Spanish regime.

Then there's also the children's park.