We are in Roxas City, Province of Capiz today. Some 250 delegates from Negros Occidental are here to officially represent our province in the 2nd One Visayas Celebration (One People, One Destiny). The theme of this biggest tourism cultural event is “Heroes and Nationalism.” The participants are the regional development councils of Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, DOT – Region IV and the Provincial Government of Capiz.
The event organizer is Gov. Salvacion Perez of Antique and the host is Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. of Capiz. Other participants are the local government units, arts and heritage councils, national government agencies, producers, artists, artisans, craftsmen and representatives from the academe. The Negrenses here are composed of Silaynons headed by Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano, with Silay tourism staff, Kabataang Silay Rondalla, Silay Folkloric Group. We have also the staff from the Provincial Tourism Office. Anytime, we expect the arrival of Gov. Isidro Zayco or Board Member Patrick Lacson.
Bago group is also here to showcase the “Sigabong Sang Mga Kanyon Festival”, a Cinco de Noviembre event. The dancers of VMA – Global College, Poseidon, are also here to join the other artists from Iloilo for a choreographed presentation about our heroes. The Negros Booth is in a form of a steam locomotive (sugar and more) featuring our products, visual arts, heroes and talents.
At 9am, we will all be at the Capiz Gym of the Villareal Stadium for the opening program, “Pang Abi-Abi / Panabitabi”. Each province will be offering an icon for the ritual. The Association of Tourism Officers of Negros Occidental (ATONO) and the Provincial Tourism Office have prepared a beautiful hand-made miniature representing our sugar industry. “Sadsad Visayas”, a parade of festivals will be at 2pm. The Kabataang Silay Rondalla will provide Philippine music while the parade participants are approaching the stadium.
The evening activity at Capiz Gym is for Silay. In the “Pasundayag”, Silay will present “Ang Bahandi sang Silaynon”, a repertoire of native dances featuring “Tanda de Valse”’ the social dance of Silay performed only to open an important event, which literally means “the shifting of waltzes”. This is an original pre-war sonata composition of Jose “Pitong” Ledesma, a Silaynon composer and philanthropist.
Silay showcase includes also other Maria Clara dances, dances on livelihood with special focus on fishing, hometown delicacy making and vending, and the romantic work of planting and harvesting sugarcane. A fiesta story in the haciendas will also take center stage. And the finale will include folkdances showing skills like Sayaw sa Bangko and Tinikling.
The cultural outreach program of Silay will perform in the Municipality of Pilar. Our dancers and choreographers will interact with the host artists. Again, “Bahandi sang Silaynon” will be shown to Pilar folks. We expect teachers, pupils and local artists to participate actively.
Other highlights of “One Visayas” are film showing of Visayan films, concert at the park, food festival, reception of artists, fireworks exhibition, workshop on storytelling, workshop on B-boying, cooking demonstration, technical theater presentation, exhibit on culture, arts and tourism assets, and cultural summit. Fiesta sidelights include animation, experimental video, short films, and hand puppetry.
The Negrense force is spearheaded by Jenny Cordero, Ver Pacete, Susan Velez, Marissa Montelibano, Thea Jison, Imak Salmingo, Clem del Castillo, Roseni Mina, Mike Golez, Inday Umali, Ronnie Baldonado and Oliver Dondonay.
“One Visayas” is not just a cultural-tourism event. It is the mingling of hearts, minds and people. We are celebrating life. We are commemorating the heroic deeds of our ancestors. As Visayans, we are proud of our origin, our heritage and noble deeds.