YESTERDAY, November 5, was a great day for Negros... especially for Silay as Negrosanons commemorated Cinco de Noviembre Revolution. It was also the last day of the three-day Kaon Ta Festival at Balay Negrense grounds and the third day of the 10-day International Rondalla Festival.

The whole world knows that Silay City is hosting the 5th International Rondalla Festival (November 3 to 10). It is participated by musicians coming from eleven countries: France, India, Iran, Israel, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Uganda, and the Philippines with 11 rondalla groups coming from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Other than daily concerts at Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center (featuring state-of-the-art stage and lighting), added activities include outreach program in towns, cities, universities, heritage houses; international symposium and workshop at Sen. Jose C. Locsin Cultural and Civic Center; whole-day tour for the musicians with lunch at Balaring restaurants; and Silay Night Cultural Extravaganza.

Mayor Mark Golez said that this international event will place Silay in the tourism and cultural map of the world. "The whole world will know that Silay was once the 'Paris of Negros' and now the 'seat of arts and culture in Western Visayas.' Local and international tourist have all the reasons to come to Silay... visit our heritage houses, taste our food and other hometown delicacies, enjoy our festival, experience the hospitality of the Silaynons and be closer to nature on what we can offer in Patag and Lantawan."

The three-day Kaon Ta Festival from November 3 to 5, was a showcase on what the restaurants and kitchens of the Silaynons can offer. The usual Silay foods that delight visitors and friends are just in one setting where every guest can relax while eating. Heirloom family recipes of the "buenafamilias" of Silay have been cooked to share to the world.

The festival site is not just for you to eat and be seen. It is also an opportunity to meet old friends and discover new friends. Media men took time to interview the original cooks of the delicacies and modern chefs who have accepted foreign foods with Silay ingredients. All the activities are peppered with a discussion on food, cooking demonstration, music, songs, and evening wine.

Cinco de Noviembre Festival in Silay started with a thanksgiving mass, and then there was a commemoration on the event at the Cinco de Noviembre Marker attended by city officials, government employees...and the real heroes, the present day "jornaleros" from the haciendas.

Congratulations Silay for making the Silaynons proud of their ancestor heroes, for sharing your music to the world, and for making your food treasured heritage.