Binirayan '08 to sail out to Antique's towns -- BFI
Two weeks before its launching in April 13, 2008, all is set for this year's Binirayan Festival. This is according to Alex C. Delos Santos, Executive Director of the Binirayan Foundation Inc.
The Foundation is promising a bigger and better festival for the Antiqueños and their guests as committees and coordinators are now set with their preparations for the various activities planned for the celebration. With the theme "Manggad nga Antiqueño, Paranubliu-un kang Filipino (Antique's wealth is a Philippine Heritage) the people of Antique is proud with its richness in culture, arts and history as their contribution into the diverse and colorful heritage of the Philippines as a nation.
Significantly, the activities for this year's Binirayan is centered not only in the capital town of San Jose, and its neighbor Hamtic, but will also be brought out to the different towns of Antique. This concept is anchored with the premise that Binirayan is a people's festival and that the people of Antique from north to south will be given a chance to be part of this merrymaking.
After its scheduled kick-off on April 13, a series of cultural caravans will be held in other towns. Tukib talento in Barbaza Public Plaza on April 16, Senior Citizen's Night in Patnongon on April 19, Children's Festival in Hamtic on April 21 and Komedya Valderrama at EBJ Freedom Park on April 22.
The search for Lin-ay kang Antique has also its twist as the Talent Night will be held in Bugasong Public Plaza on April 20, preliminary competition in Pandan on April 23 and the pageant night will be on April 26 at the EBJ Gym. For the first time the Search for Mr. Antique will be held at CAP auditorium on April 18.
The opening of the Pasundayag (trade fair/exhibit) and the food festival will be on April 24 featuring the Antique-Thailand Friendship Exhibit at the EBJ Freedom Park.
The three-day highlight of the festivity will commence on April 25 with the Biray kang Barangay at Malandog Beach at 8:00-11:00 a.m., Torch Parade at 5:00 p.m. to be followed by Employees Night and Fashion show at 7:00 p.m. and the Binirayan Ball at The Pinnacle Suites at 7:00 p.m.
Activities on April 26 includes the 2nd Binirayan Confab, Dog Show, OKM concert and the Search for Lin-ay kang Antique. Highlight of activities for April 27 are the Parada kang Lahi, Malay-ati competition and the Bugal kang Antique Awards.
The idea of celebrating Binirayan was pioneered by then Governor Evelio B. Javier. Under his leadership, the Antiqueños felt the need to get together to celebrate their history as a people. The festival has paved the way for the Antiqueños scattered in the different part of the country and the world to journey back to their past and trace their noble roots. Literally means, "where they landed”, recalls the story of the ten Bornean datus led by Datu Puti and Datu Sumakwel who fled from the oppressive rule of Sultan Makatunaw and their subsequent settlement in Panay in the early 15th century. This episode in the history of our race is re-enacted through a pageant on the beaches of Malandog, Hamtic.