Polibiz
'Katagman' in Oton
Like any other town in Iloilo celebrating its annual festivity, the municipality of Oton also has its own, initially dubbed as Ogtonganon Festival in 2002. The following year, however, in 2003, it was named as Katagman Festival.
Still in its infancy, Katagman became a byword, slowly metamorphosed into what it is today. Various changes in its performances are being adapted every year without compromising the noble intention of the festival -- to explore the rich cultural heritage of Oton in the past.
Mayor Carina Veloso Flores, meanwhile, has exerted extra efforts to improve her town by showcasing cultural activities other than its massive campaign in collecting local taxes with efficiency.
Participating tribes from different barangays in Oton are partly supported by the local government, with the cooperation of the private sectors, for their costumes, props and other contingencies during the rehearsal period. In addition, attractive cash incentives are at stake to the winning tribes in the said competition.
Students from elementary and high school levels are tapped to perform in the competition; even out-of-school youths are encouraged as well.
A much bigger crowd is expected to flock this festival as artistic innovations are being integrated to the full satisfaction of the visiting local tourists, Ogtonganons and residents from its neighboring towns. Balikbayans who will come purposely for the occasion as part of their nostalgic journey to the roots of their origin will surely be amazed by the improvement of their town.
Only about 15-minute drive going southbound from the City Proper, the town of Oton is unofficially having the most number of provincial voters as a result of various private residential subdivisions sprouting like mushrooms.
Hence, Oton is now considered investment-friendly to potential investors for agricultural and industrial business establishments.
The full blast ongoing construction of the New Iloilo Airport of national standard in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan will soon pave for the economic progress of Oton, already a highly urbanized town. Not to mention, the coastal road construction from Brgy. Alegre to Oton Public market to commence this year or early next year will further boost the town's economic development.
The Katagman festival serves as a reminder for the Ogtonganons to constantly preserve their rich cultural heritage and involvement in history; keep their own identity as a people.
To appreciate the Katagman festivity on May 3, a brief history of Oton is appropriately helpful why such cultural presentation is necessary: “Katagman was the ancient name of the nose-shaped islet that was surrounded by the Batiano River. Because of its shape, the island was later called “Irong-Irong before it officially became “Iloilo.”
Katagman (now Brgy. San Antonio) was the set of the Madia-as Confederation (Katiringban et Madia-as) in Panay under Datu Paiburong until 1226 A.D. It is one of the few places in Panay where civilization first started and the Batiano River, then a flourishing Malay Port, was where the trading among the Malays, the natives, and the Chinese merchants took place. Fray Martin de Rada, a famous cosmographer and one of the five religious in the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, preached the Christian doctrine along the Batiano River, hence, Katagman also became the gateway of Christianity.
In May 3, 1572, Fray Martin de Rada officially signed the acceptance of Oton as Pueblo and the seat of mission. It became the third in the country after Manila and Cebu. It was a big pueblo which then included the present towns of Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel and part of Cabatuan. In the same year, the pueblo was made capital of the Province of Oton (La Alcadia de Oton) which covered the islands of Panay, Tablas, Sibuyan, Guimaras, Romblon, and Western part of Negros" (Source: MIO)
Katagman is on the go!