Installation of 'Outdoor Museum' kicks off Antique's Binirayan festival
San Jose, Antique -- Breathing life into its slogan of "Retracing our roots, celebrating our greatness', this year's Binirayan festival kicks off with the launching of a historical trail that would make Antique as one of the pioneering provinces to establish an "outdoor museum' in the country.
Initially, the historical trail covers the provincial plazuela and five streets surrounding it, all of which were named after past Governors of the province: A life size bust of each of these governors will be mounted in their respective streets. At tomorrow's launching, these streets will be re-dedicated in their honor in simple ceremonies that would bring Antiquenos and guests a breeze of the past.
The historical trail starts off with Gen Fullon street named after General Leandro Fullon, Amtique's local hero who led the 1896 revolution in Panay against Spain, resisted Japanese invaders, the last general to surrender to the American forces and subsequently became the first civil governor of Antique (1901).
The trail moves on to the other streets named after: Governor Tobias Fornier (1941-1945); Governor Alberto Arcega Villavert (1946- 1951); Governor Calixto O. Zaldivar (1951- 1955); and Governor Josue Lacson Cadiao (1955- 1959. Brief accolades of their contribution to Antique and the country will be inscripted in their respective mounts. The trail commences at the provincial plazuela or the EBJ Freedom Park named after Governor Evelio B. Javier (1972-1980).
"The concept of an outdoor museum is still evolving in the country but it is a very good medium to learn history, it is an extension of the traditional museum we see inside buildings." says Alex delos Santos, executive director of Binirayan Foundation Inc (BFI) the lead organization for the annual Binirayan festival.
"We pass by these streets everyday but we tend to forget who and why these streets were so named." says Delos Santos "The historical trail is a reminder to all that the streets were not just named after individuals but that these are people who made great contributions to Antique and that they are part and parcel of our own story." he explained.
Aside from the historical trail, this year's Binirayan festival will also see the grand opening of the Museo Antiqueno, the convening of a Binirayan Summit and the comedya festival. It also includes the annual festival activities such as the street dancing contest, parada ng lahi, sports and musical contests, food fest, trade fair and the Lin-ay kag \Antique.
An exhibit-sale of handwoven products coming from Antique and Thailand will also be set up at the Provincial Capitol lobby from April 23-28. The exhibit-sale is co- sponsored by the Srinakharinwirot University of Bangkok, Thailand. Proceeds of this project will go to the Museo Antiqueno and the Antique Provincial Library.
The festival runs from April 13 to April 30 with the theme "Taking Pride of Antiques vari-colored cultures". Interested parties can call the festival secretariat at (036)540-7343.