New Capiz festival like 'rain in summer'
Roxas City – Department of Tourism (DOT) Supervising Tourism Operations Officer lawyer Helen J. Camarista likened to a rain in summer Capiz's new festivity dubbed "Capiztahan" for breathing fresh air into the local tourism program.
Organized by the provincial government to mark the 107th foundation anniversary of the creation of its local government unit on April 15, 1901, Capiztahan has departed from the existing festivals of the province by focusing on the various facets of the cultural heritage of the Capiceños without the other revelry-type of activities.
Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. has said earlier that the modification or shift is in line with the one of the development thrusts of the provincial government to make Capiz as an eco-cultural tourism hub in the Central Philippines Super Region, which had been identified by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the country's tourism belt.
The province has a joint festival with the city, Sinadya sa Halaran, the premier local cultural and religious festival staged every first week of December and depicts the Capiceños' traditions of giving and sharing and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
It has been recognized by the DOT as one of Western Visayas's major tourism-oriented festivals and has obtained support from the agency.
Speaking at the festival opening, April 11, Camarista, who pitched in for DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, said that since Capiztahan emphasizes the cultural heritage of Capiz, it ought to make Capiceños proud of their noble cultural heritage.
There are more indigenous activities and presentations lined up for the festival which will culminate April 15, the date of the establishment of the provincial government in 1901 by virtue of Commonwealth Act 115, such as interactive exhibits, products showcase, heritage tour, native games, pag-ulikid or outreach services, concert of Capiznon songs, and tribute presentation for President Roxas entitled "Manoling," among others.
April 15 this year also marks the 60th death anniversary of President Manuel A. Roxas, the first President of the Republic of the Philippines. The nearest Friday to it, April 19, is a special non-working holiday here by virtue of Republic Act No. 9217 to give due honor to Capiz's most illustrious son.
Camarista also enjoined Capiceños to promote tourism activities that would not violate the environment and lead to the exploitation of the people. The DOT Regional Office in Iloilo City has extended support to the ongoing celebration with the theme, "Gintugyan nga Panublion: Handumanan kag Manggad sang Capiznon." (PIA-JSC)