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Monday, October 24, 2005
Capiz's Aswang Fest now Lupad Kapiznon
By Joel E. Capundan
ROXAS CITY -- As suggested by the Catholic Church, the Dugo Capiznon, Inc. (DCI), a private organizer of the controversial Aswang Festival have changed the fest's name to Lupad Kapiznon, which is slated on October 28 to 30.
However, the Catholic Church on October 16, released a pastoral message, which states that it is still opposed in the holding of the said festival.
This is the second time that the Church released a pastoral letter.
The first one was on April this year, six months after the first Aswang Festival was held.
Religious sectors and some government officials who opposed the said festival said that the activities would still be the same, despite its new name.
Arnel Estiaga of DCI, said that efforts were already exhausted to reconsider the changing the name of festival yet there are still oppositions.
Earlier, Estiaga said that nobody can stop DCI from holding the festival.
He said that DCI is determined to prove to critics that Capiz's negative image as a land supposedly populated by witches could be turned into an advantage.
The three-day festival, Estiaga said, "Will showcase the best of Capiz in terms of tempting cuisine and alluring local entertainment, beguiling tourists, and visitors with a longing for charm that only Capiz can claim as its own, making them completely bewitching."
Panay town Mayor Felipe Barredo, president of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) Capiz Chapter and the Liga ng mga Barangay had earlier opposed the holding of the event.
Hands Off
Meanwhile, Capiz Governor Vicente Bermejo, said that the issue on the event is an affair of the City Government.
In a related development, Roxas City Mayor Antonio released a press statement that he cannot stop the said festival.
This after some various group sent a letter urging him to stop it. The said letter was signed by Josefina Yncong, CLW Archdiocese president; Divina V. Asis, Mother Butler Guild president; and Ma. Lourdes Acevedo of Kapawa ni Cristo Community president.
In an open letter by Mayor Del Rosario addressed to the group, he stated that he cannot stop the said festival because its purpose does not violate any law.
Citing Section 1 Article III of the Constitution, the mayor said that the article provides that no person shall be deprived of liberty without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of law.
From such constitutional provision, del Rosario said, it is clear that the request to stop the festival and any action granting the same, would amount to deprivation of liberty without due process of law.
The mayor added that the proper forum to ventilate the matter is the court, where the parties concerned would be afforded an opportunity to be heard and defend themselves, in obedience to the due process requiring of the fundamental law.
(October 24, 2005 issue)
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