TO HIGHLIGHT the identity of the town and its people, Tourism, Culture and Arts Affairs of the Municipal Government of Isabela has reinterpreted its Panubli-on Festival along its #DiscoverIsabela and sustainable tourism promotional campaigns.
In its fifth year of celebration, the three-day festival on September 8 to 10, will highlight the town's rich cultural heritage, giving emphasis to its Indigenous Peoples (IP) community and its relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Mayor Irene Montilla expressed her excitement to bring back the face-to-face festivities and gatherings after two years of hiatus, as this year’s most awaited celebration that will embark on this new brand and identity.
She said that this will be an avenue to showcase Isabela’s best, while prioritizing and giving opportunities to the locals of Isabela, showcasing their talents, products and services.
The Panubli-on Festival was launched during the term of late Mayor Enrique “Quito” Montilla.
It was designed to encourage townsfolk to get together and join the celebration to honor its town’s parish saint in time of its feast day every September 10, its sugarcane industry, and some traditional and cultural aspects.
“We have seen the need to establish the festival reaching its potentials, and as an advocate, I want that the tourism of Isabela will be remarkable every year and has contributed towards the sustainability of its rich cultural heritage,” Francis Ryan Pabiania, festival director and member of their local culture and arts council, said.
He added that it is “high time” that they have to establish a distinct approach to their festival celebration that will also remind people that the rich cultural heritage of their town plays a significant role that brought Isabela what it is known today.
Pabiania cited that Isabela is home to the Marikudo Ati Settlement, the first established indigenous people settlement around the 70's.
“We are also blessed with various destinations, historical sites and cultural wonders,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said that the promotional campaigns #DiscoverIsabela and sustainable tourism will be a continuous plan to discover more about the town’s untold stories, unseen destinations, and unexplored gastronomy.
“We want to take a leap in terms of identity and tourism, while ensuring satisfaction and limitless experience among the locals or tourists with sustainable tourism practices and promoting cultural understanding,” Pabiania said.
Celebrating heritage
The Panubli-on Festival is back on the streets again with the theme “Kadalag-an kag pagkilala sa banwa nga tinubuan.”
Tourism designate Jacel Jane Pineda said the celebration primarily aims to introduce Isabela’s rich culture and heritage to its people and to its neighboring cities and municipalities.
“Isabela has a lot more to offer, and through this multi-sectoral celebration we want to bring back the past and celebrate the present. Let us all discover Isabela, the Sweet Heart of Negros,” she said.
Moreover, Jard Montilla, chair of the town council’s committee on tourism, shared that the town’s parish is also celebrating the 161st patronal fiesta dedicated to their patron saint, San Nicolas De Tolentino.
He said that the townsfolk should reflect and remind themselves of traditions and values as a people.
Among of the activities will include “Gabi sang Palanubli-on” (Cultural Night), Laro ng Lahi, Indigenous People community and farmers day; local food cooking, cultural heritage fantasy makeup, photography, karabaw-karo contests; and Pasundayag kag Pasigarbo, festival dance street dancing and arena competition, among others on September 10.
The festival dance competition will include six contingents from clustered barangays and schools and choreographed by all Isabela artists or choreographers, depicting new narratives and linked to SDG.
“As we look forward to the future, I fervently hope that our future celebrations and fiestas will serve as an inspiration and a hallmark to many Negrenses as we feature our hometown the Sweetheart of Negros, a town named after a Queen and Regent and a town with a rich history,” he said.
He lauded the support and efforts of his fellow government workers from the executive, Sangguniang Bayan, and all municipal employees for making the festival possible. (PR)