Pointblank
Calinog's Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival going stronger
Last Sunday I was in Calinog, Iloilo to attend the highlight of this year's Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival. It was my first time to witness the Hirinugyaw tribes contest and I was impressed with the performances shown by the six contesting tribes. Actually, their performance could be likened to the tribes we see in the much popular Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City. I even wondered why Calinog did not participate either in the Kasadyahan or the Ati-ati contest of the recently concluded Dinagyang Festival. Had they participated they could have been included among the top winners if not the champion.
In general, the success of Calinog's Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival could be attributed to their hardworking mayor Alex Centena (who is on his last term) and the rest of the local government officials. Unlike the other town festivals that died a natural death after a year or two of presentation, the Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay has survived and continues to become stronger. Year after year new attractions are being added to the festival to ensure that the Calinognons and the visiting tourists will enjoy.
Also noteworthy to mention is the cooperation of the barangay officials and the community in making the activity successful. I was told that each contesting tribe was supported by the ten barangays of Calinog. The town's business sector also helped, one way or another, by sponsoring the different tribes. I even saw one tribe sponsored by a funeral parlor which is why after the competition we saw the tribe members dancing and enjoying inside the compound of the funeral parlor.
It's good that Mayor Centena does not let go of the holding of the festival every year. We understand that holding an activity like the Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay entails a lot of hard work and also sufficient funding. Well, knowing Mayor Centena it is no longer surprising that the Hirinugyaw-Suguidadonay Festival continues to thrive.
Speaking of the mayor's qualities as a leader could also lead us to understand why Calinog has constantly bagged the cleanest and greenest municipality award in the province of Iloilo. In fact, in the recent search conducted by the province Calinog was no longer included as it already landed in the hall of fame category, a fete no other town has achieved.
Not too long ago I was able to tour Calinog's public market and town plaza and I myself could say that indeed the town deserves to be called the cleanest and the greenest. At the public market you could not see even a single candy wrapper or a cigarette butt on the floor. I learned that throwing even the smallest rubbish anywhere is a mortal sin in Calinog town. I really admire the cooperation and participation of the Calinognons in whatever endeavor the local government implements. If only the same discipline could be replicated by the residents of Iloilo City.