Capiceños count blessings thru Sinadya sa Halaran
ROXAS CITY – Capiceños will rekindle their two most-cherished values – sharing and thanksgiving – when they celebrate Sinadya sa Halaran, Capiz's premier festival, this coming December 4-8.
This is aptly borne by the theme of this year's celebration, "Bugay nga Naagum, Ikalipay kag Ipaambit nga Mapinasalamaton" which can mean "celebrating and sharing with thanksgiving the blessings or bounty received."
The provincial and city governments headed by Gov. Victor Tanco and Mayor Vicente Bermejo, respectively, have held a series of meetings to draw up the preparations and activities that will highlight the festival.
The preparations are spearheaded by provincial tourism officer Al Tesoro and city tourism officer Rodolfo Maestro, Jr.
Senator Mar Roxas will lead Capiceños in celebrating the festival which fused the Sinadya fiesta celebration of Roxas City and Halaran cultural festival of the province.
The festival is an embodiment of the Capiceños' religiosity and their veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mother as their Patroness Lady of the Immaculate Conception and their tradition for sharing and thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest from the farm and the sea.
Capiz is a surplus producer of palay and seafood, its two major products. The province, which lies along the strong nautical highway in the country's western seaboard, has been recognized as the seafood capital of the country.
The nautical or roll-on, roll-off highway is in support to the program of President Arroyo that designates Central Philippines including Capiz as the country's tourism belt.
The festival is one of Capiz's main tourist attractions. One of the country's oldest Spanish settlements, the province is also home to one of the world's biggest bells that are found in Sta. Monica Parish Church in Panay town.
It also has beautiful beaches and scenic inland destinations including caves and waterfalls. Capiz gave the country Manuel Acuña Roxas, the first president of the Philippine Republic. (PIA-JSC)