2nd Karay-a Arts Festival goes regional
SAN JOSE, Antique – The 2nd Karay-a Arts Festival (KAF 2) slated in San Jose, Antique on October 24-26 will be a regional festival with more participants coming from Iloilo and Bacolod City.
Opening the festival on October 24 is Laua-an's Pahinis de Laua-an, champion in the Malay-Ati competition during the Binirayan Festival last April. Pahinis de Laua-an has recently been awarded the Best Municipal Festival by the Department of tourism and is lauded as one of the top five festivals in Western Visayas.
University of San Agustin's Little Theater will perform the dance-drama "Tarangban" in the evening of October 24. "Tarangban" is another stage version of the Panayon epics based on the adventures of Karay-a epic heroes Humadapnon and Labawdonggon. It is created by one of Iloilo's top directors Edward Divinagracia. Chanting will be performed by actress Tata Glemer, an authemtic Bukidnon.
Featured Performers on October 25 are Gawad Manlilikha ng Bayan awardee Federico Caballero and his School of Living Traditions from Calinog Iloilo and West Negros University's Kalingaw: Ang Teatro Hiligaynon directed by Ismael Java. Other performances are by the Ati of Tina, Hamtic, St. Anthony's College, and Hamtic Children's Rondalla, while arts workshops will be conducted by Paranubliun Antique and Bacolod-based Dagway Negros
Six theater groups will compete in the Dula-Saot competition which was dominated by the Municipality of Bugasong. This year's entries are from Libertad National Vocational School, Valderrama National High School, Pangpang National High School (Sibalom), Aureliana National High School (Patnongon), Teatro Damisag (Hamtic) and St. Anthony's College. The trophies for this year's competition are designed by internationally-trained ceramics artist Alan Cabalfin, who is from Leon.
Other highlights of the KAF 2 are the launch of Kinaray-a Bible Translation project by the Translator Association of the Philippines, book launching of Alex delos Santos's latest book UGSAD KANG KINARAY-A, presentation of the karaoke version of Noel Alamis's hit single "Probinsiyana Gwapa" and Photography exhibit by Susan Marie Liao. The festival will also feature an arts and crafts fair, and a kinaray-a cuisine cooking competition.
The 2nd Karay-a Arts Festival is sponsored by Governor Sally Perez and the Province of Antique, Barbaza Multi-purpose Cooperative, Susie Stars Tours, Mang Inasal, Deco's, Chowking, Coca-Cola and San Miguel Beer. For details, call Binirayan Foundation, Inc. at 036-5407343 or email at birayfest@yahoo.com.ph. (PIA)