On the Dot
Sinadya sa Halaran 2005
Capiceños, guests and tourists look forward with much excitement to this year's Sinadya sa Halaran Festival that unfolds the attractions and heritage of the Province of Capiz and City of Roxas on December 7-11, 2005 in Roxas City, Capiz. The theme for this year's celebration Pag-uswag Maagom Kon May Paghiliusa ans Banwa speaks of how the Capiz community values unity as its foundation for proress. The schedule of activities shared with this writer by Bo Bediones, the indefatigable Provincial Tourism Officer of Capiz is loaded with showcases of community unity as the locals worship, play and relive their glorious past together.
December 7, opening day, is devoted to the Capizeño faith. There is going to be a thanksgiving mass, raising of flags of the City of Roxas, Capiz Province and the different municipalities of the province and an opening and blessing each of the Tourist Information Center at the Roxas City Plaza, Capiz Trade Fair 2005 beside the Provincial Capitol and the Tourist Information Center at the Roxas City airport.In the afternoon there's theProsesyon sang mga Patron sa Barangay (Procession of Patron Saints of the Villages), switch-on of Culasi-Baybay-Dumulog streetlights and simultaneous switch-on of lights at the public plaza, Roxas City Hall and Capiz Provincial Capitol. It is also the opening of the Seafood Festival and the Talent Night for the Mutya sang Sinadya sa Halaran.
The main highlight of the festival is the Tribal Competition on December 10 at 1:30-6:00 pm at the Roxas City Plaza followed by the Coronasyon sang Reyna. The grand Festival Parade is on December 11 in the streets of Roxas City.
Sinadya sa Halaran is merrymaking in thanksgiving for a bountiful year, for the many blessings we received despite the hard times, for life itself. Join the faith. Relish the fun and the seafood. Go to Capiz for the festival and see for yourself why Capiz claims to be the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.
Sinadya sa Halaran draws attention to the other tourist attractions of Capiz It is after all blessed be both natural, cultural and historical gems. The two-storey hardwood and stone house where the First President of the Philippine Republic was born is located in Roxas City Proper is now a historical shrine. The Moro towers in Sitio Nipa, Barangay Culasi, Roxas City buit in 1814 in order to repel invading Moros and Portuguese colonizers. Though half-torn, this stone structure is a reminder of the bravery of the Capizeño and his love for freedom.
The old imposing Roxas City Bridge (formerly Capiz Bridge),built in 1910, remains firm and strong overlooking the Panay River. The bridge is a silent witness of the various changes that ushered in progress and development in Roxas City. Equally alluring is the huge stretch of Panay River that traverses the very heart of the city, thus. earning for itself the sobriquet, 'Venice of the Visayas'. Capiz National High School, formerly known as Capiz High School was established and completely organized in 1914. One of the pioneering educational institutions in the province of Capiz, it has an imposing structure and top-of-a hill location.
Ang Panubli-on, the Roxas City Museum was built in 1910 as a water tank. It now houses the memorabilia of illustrious sons and daughters of Roxas City, collections of religious icons, artifacts and artworks.
The natural attractions of Capiz include beaches, caves, coral reef islets. The province also has religious, manmade, special interest attractions and emerging festivals, among others.