Festival Adventure with Miag-ao's: Salakayan
The much-awaited Tribe Contest is on February 2 at 8 a.m. and February 3 caps with the Coronation of the Festival Queen
In Salakayan, it is also common to find procession
of gigantes
The people of Miag-ao pay tribute to their cultural roots with the celebration of their annual Salakayan Festival. The word "salakay" is a derivative from the local dialect of our people and means "to attack." The festival is a distinct cultural tradition marked by local warriors ready to defend their land or to take vengeance the death of their people. This dance-drama presentation shows the victorious battle waged by local defenders against Muslim pirates in May 7, 1754.
Most common in this festival dance exhibits the use of equipment or hand props with varied weapons such as bolos, kris, spear, and shields as dancers move in files to the rhythmically beating of the instruments, exhibiting a mock combat dance involving leaping, turning, jumping, kicking and the rolling movements of warriors ready to defend their territory in battle. Performers, depicted by fierce Muslim pirates and the natives of Miag-ao brandish head bolos and spears together with the clashing of shields. In today's tribal presentation, these weapons are considered already part of the dance as hand or body properties are.
Tribe competition will be on February 3
In Salakayan, it is also common to find procession of gigantes. These towering figures were used to scare Muslim marauders who frequently attack the shorelines of the town and divested the people of their belongings. Gigantes commonly depict archetypes of the town, such as the bourgeois and the peasant woman, or historical figures of local relevance, such as the founder. The hollow-figured giants are several-meters tall. The upper part is that of a person with a skirt on the lower part that covers a strong man who carries a harness linked to the internal structure. These huge figures tower above the crowd as the porter shakes and turns the giant around so the crowds can them in all their glory. The parade is accompanied by small groups that beat out a rhythm on drums or to the tune of a small marching band.
The festival is so well integrated into the lives of the people of Miag-ao. For clearly, the presentation express the very beliefs and depict the activities and material culture of the Miagaowanons themselves. Furthermore, the celebrationbinds the members of the community in a stronger bond for the common good.
The celebration of the Salakayan Festival and its special events are important components of Miag-ao's tourism industry. It does not only offer its community an opportunity to celebrate whatever they wish, it also provides attractions for visitors from nearby towns and provinces.
As a whole, the Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao enhances the quality of life and embraces the unique history, heritage and culture of its people by promoting the arts, tourism while contributing to the town's economic vitality. Certainly, this eagerly awaited event is scheduled on January 27 with an Opening Salvo, Civic Float Parade and the Opening of the Food Fair; the Opening of the Trade Fair is on January 28; January 29 is the Unveiling of Salakayan Logo; the much-awaited Tribe Contest is on February 2 at 8 a.m. and February 3 caps with the Coronation of the Festival Queen.