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Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Festival honors bravery of pre-Hispanic chieftain
By Aledel Gonzalez-Cuizon
Sun.star staff reporter
WHEN Sinulog Foundation executive director Ricky Ballesteros saw the performances in the Haladaya Festival in Daanbantayan, Cebu last April 2, he knew why the town consistently gets awards in the annual Sinulog Festival.
Ballesteros, who was among the judges in the Haladaya Festival, said he was awed by the energy and passion of the dancers, who included children.
The Haladaya Festival, held in honor of Daanbantayan’s brave chieftain in pre-Spanish times, showcased at least 22 groups of performers who danced, swayed and chanted in praise of Datu Daya.
Datu Daya’s bravery, heroism and courage were portrayed in all the performances but only two schools bested their counterparts in their respective categories.
The Daanbantayan Central School shouted with glee upon winning top prize in the kabataan category, and the contingent from Maya National High School upon placing first in the adult category.
The affair was capped with fireworks and street dancing at the town plaza.
Parade
When the winners were announced after an afternoon parade that went on until past 8 p.m., Ballesteros said the Haladaya should be celebrated every year.
“This makes them consistent winners,” he said. Ballesteros said the Haladaya Festival is the best among the festivals he has seen.
This compliment should make Daanbantayan Mayor Ma. Luisa Loot beam with pride.
Loot said in a separate interview that she had always dreamed of an event that would distinguish Daanbantayan from the rest of the towns, including the island municipality of Bantayan.
Loot told Sun.Star, Cebu that the Haladaya Festival would do the job.
With a budget of over P1.5 million, the festival is a combination of a historical and cultural celebration that would also promote Daanbantayan as tourism destination that, hopefully would rival even Boracay.
Loot said the local economy is spurred when there is a festival, even banana vendors benefit from it.
Investments
Her long-term goal is that bigger investments would come in.
Haladaya, or Halad ni Datu Daya, will be celebrated every year after Easter.
Last year, a similar festival was held during the town fiesta but Loot said she doesn’t want it to be confused as a religious activity.
Loot hopes the tourists who flock to Bantayan Island during Holy Week would drop by Daanban-tayan for the Haladaya.
Tourists who come to Daanbantayan would surely enjoy the town’s beaches and dive sites, she added.
“This will be a tradition. Ang dili mosunod ani, ambot lang,” Loot said with a smile.
But Ballesteros has a few suggestions to make Haladaya uniquely Daanbantayan’s own festival.
He cited the importance of a workshop prior to the contest, saying there should be a defined “Haladaya step” and its own beat.
To give the town the identity it is looking for, municipal officers are pushing for the renaming of Daanbantayan to Kandaya, after the brave leader who is honored in the Haladaya.
Loot said a public hearing has yet to be held. The move would also need an act of Congress.
(April 12, 2005 issue)
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