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Monday, March 13, 2006
Passi beyond time
By Bombette G. Marin
THE name Passi is a corruption of the local word "pasi" or unhusked grains of palay. Heard of the one about a group of Spanish explorers who came downstream using a unique flat boat known as "sciata" and anchored to a place known as Ansig, locate at the mouth of Lamunan River. An old woman winnowing and pounding palay was asked of the name of place, fearful of strangers, she got excited and took the question to mean what she might be doing or what she might have inside her basket.
The brothers Dig-on, Tokiab and Umawang, were the aboriginal inhabitants of Passi. Don Martin Saligumba, believed to be a descendant of the three brothers, founded and formally organized the town of Passi into a pueblo. The first permanent settlement in what is today Passi City probably occurred about 230 years ago during the Spanish era when the affairs of the municipality was administered by the Capitanes Municipales. Little growth took place until 1898, owing to American Colonial Government of inward development, with emphasis on commerce and marketing. The production of sugarcane, tobacco and other important crops increased with the establishment of a railroad in the later part of 1907. When Philippines became a commonwealth in 1935, Filoteo Palmares sat down as its first Municipal Mayor, with an unprecedented political record, occupying the position for six conservative terms.
Urbanization took place at a fast rate for this municipality known as the trade and industrial site in the heart of Panay. And finally, a grand day for all Passinhon with the signing of RA No. 8469 by former President Fidel V. Ramos when the Municipality of Passi was converted into a Component City.
Off to the central portion of Panay Island sits the City of Passi, the biggest in the province of Iloilo in terms of land area. The area of the City of Passi is 25,139.13 hectares making it the biggest in size in the province, and is well connected to the rest of the municipalities by land. It is linked to all key points in Iloilo by an extensive highway system. Most freight moves by bus providing direct service to all towns. It is located south of Dumarao (Capiz), southeast of Bingawan, East of Calinog, northeast of Dueñas, north of San Enrique, north of Barotac Vgiejo, west of Lemery and southeast of San Rafael.
The population of Passi City (2002 Census on Population estimate) is 69,601, giving the city an estimated overall population density of 277 persons per square kilometer and annual population growth rate of 3.12 %. The distribution, however, is uneven, with the two urban barangays very thickly populated.
The city's 51 independent barangays includes 49 rural barangays and two classified as urban and is blessed with a diverse range of agri-ecology-tourism conditions suitable for the production of an equally varied range of agricultural products and commodities. It is among the leading agri-industrial centers in the province, and its agricultural outputs continue to be important aspects of its economy. The diversity of agro-ecology permits the production of a wide variety of food/ cash crops, livestock and other commodities across the city. While it is true that in some areas certain factors may be limiting to agricultural production, these are easily quite supplemented or compensated by the abundance of some other opportunities in other parts of Passi. This shows that every part of Passi City is important agriculturally. Rice, sugarcane, corn coffee and pineapple continued to be the mainstay of the city's economy.
Tourism is also amongst the popular key aspects of the Passi's economic life and the government stepped up its efforts to promote tourism through its PINTADOS de PASI Festival, the city's top tourist attraction for both locals and foreigners, showcasing the history with a touch of legend of the early Panayanon Pintados, their way of life, rites and celebration.
On its 8th Foundation Anniversary on March 12 to 19, 2006, the people of Passi City with their dynamic City Mayor, Hon. Elyezer C. Chavez is inviting everyone to witness Pintados de Passi Festival. With this year's theme, "Kultura sang Passinhon, Aton Pasanyugon" the festival opens with a Garden Show, Food Festival, proclamation of winners for Pintados Song-Writing Contest and the Talent's Night for the Binibining Pintados 2006 candidates on March 12, 2006. A Night of Music and Dance with Marie Eugenie Milleret sponsored by Assumption Schools will take centerstage on March 16. The parade of lovely muses from the city's different barangays in karosas or bamboo sleighs beautifully designed and adorned with flowers drawn by painted carabaos will roam the streets on March 17 with the coronation of Bb. Pintados in the evening. Sinadya sa Suba features Balsa Parada and race, cultural presentation, Laro ng Lahi and Pinta Lawas is scheduled on March 18. See the much-awaited tribe competition performs on March 18, 2006 and know why it is the country's best.
While the images of painted bodies are some of the most interesting sights during the city's festival, the strength of Passi lies in its history. More than two decades gives testimony to a continuity of time in observing, learning, understanding and preparing Passi City for what lies beyond.
(March 13, 2006 issue)
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