Capiz all set for 2nd One Visayas celebration
ROXAS CITY – It’s all systems go for the 2nd One Visayas, One People, One Destiny celebration to be hosted by the province of Capiz this coming March 11-14, 2010 at the Villareal Stadium here.
Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Edwin Trompeta said in a press conference held yesterday morning at the pool side of the Villareal Stadium, that the six provinces in Visayas have already signified to participate in the affair.
Capiz Provincial Police Office (CPPO) director Senior Supt. Josephus Angan, on the other hand, assured that they have made preparations for the maintenance of peace and order and the safety of visitors.
Angan said cops from different municipalities will augment during the four-day affair adding that the barangay officials and Civilian Volunteer Organizations (CVOs) will also help maintain peace and order.
One Visayas with the theme “Heroes and Nationalism” will be a showcase of Visayan culture, arts, heritage, products and festival.
Capiz Governor Victor Tanco, Sr. said that he is glad to know that all sectors are cooperating to make the event successful.
Tanco said that the success of Capiz as host province of One Visayas is a success of Western Visayas.
“One Visayas, was successful in Cebu last year and we want to replicate it here,” Tanco said.
Mr. Al Tesoro, provincial tourism officer, said that the province expects 2,000 delegates to include cultural performers and others coming from participating provinces.
A grand opening rites will formally kick off the celebration on March 11 at the Capiz Gym in Villareal Stadium here.
The ceremonies dubbed “Pang-abi-abi kag Panabi-tabi” will have a cutting of ribbons at the stadium’s main entrance and on the special booths of the different exhibit areas of the festival’s participating provinces from Regions 6, 7 and 8.
“The cutting of ribbons will be followed by an opening program inside the Capiz Gym,” said a One Visayas schedule briefer.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is expected to grace the activity.
Tesoro said that the festival is expected to create awareness among Capiceños and the Visayan people of the rich Visayan cultural heritage.
“It is also expected to strengthen the network of practicing artists in the Visayas,” he stressed.
The four-day festival, hosted by the Capiz provincial government in cooperation with the Regional Development Councils of Eastern, Central and Western Visayas, will gather artists and craftsmen from the seven art disciplines such as music, dance, theater, literature, culinary art, visual arts and architecture.
“They will be sharing their works, experiences and expertise through performances, exhibits, workshops, and fora to supplement development and appreciation of cultural, artistic, innovative and trendsetting endeavors towards the promotion of tourism in Visayas.
The opening program will be followed in the afternoon by a parade of festivals to be participated in by world-renowned Visayan festivals.
A fiesta atmosphere will mark the parade of festivals as colorful and popular festivals will perform from Roxas City plaza to the stadium. (with reports from PIA Capiz)