Sinadya sa Halaran & Western Visayas 2009 Tourism Assembly
Roxas City —- The Province of Capiz was host of the recent WESTERN VISAYAS 2009 TOURISM ASSEMBLY simultaneously celebrated with SINADYA SA HALARAN, Capiz province and Roxas City’s joint annual religious and cultural celebration.
The WV Tourism Assembly, spearheaded by the Department of Tourism (DOT), is the regional version of WOW Philippines showcasing festivals in the region. SINADYA SA HALARAN is a fusion of Halaran, originally the province’s yearly cultural extravaganza, and Sinadya, the merry-making aspect of the Roxas City fiesta celebrating the feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, the city’s religious patroness.
The Sinadya sa Halaran opened on the first day with a civic parade dubbed “Duag Capisnon”, a bowling tournament, thanksgiving mass, job fair (“Pangkabuhi-anan”), fiesta opening, lion dance, agricultural fair (“Hugod Capisnon”), Sinadya sa Kalye, Suzuki showtime (dance contest), food festival featuring live band, SK dance The WV 2009 Tourism Assembly, which is a 3-day meet to promote tourism, culminated on the next day with a “Sinapol”, a regional WV Development Council Regular Conference, parade of festivals, festival showdown, and opening of Western Visayas Travel Fair and Mart, Capiz Product Expo, fireworks display, and Search for Miss WV Tourism.
Eleven provinces and highly urbanized cities in Western Visayas joined the assembly and showcased their festivals. Among those festivals were: Dinagyang and Paraw Regatta of Iloilo City, Masskara of Bacolod City, Manggahan of Guimaras, Binirayan of Antique, Ati-atihan of Kalibo, Pintaflores of San Carlos City, Cannon festival of Bago City.
There were various other activities showcasing tourism products and services, business opportunities and the Capiceno culture, products, and talents during the week-long twin celebrations. The event also afforded guests to experience Capiceno hospitality, visit beautiful and historic places, savor seafood cuisine and indigenous souvenir items.
This year’s tourism assembly has its theme: “The National Tourism Act of 2009: Meeting the Challenges of Domestic Tourism” and Sinadya sa Halaran’s theme was “Kultura sang Pag-ambitanay Pasangkaron bilang Kabahin sang Kabuhing Capisnon.”
