BYAHILO goes to the Kahilwayan Festival!
Posted on November 30, 2007
Early morning of November 17, I took a ferry from Bacolod City to Iloilo to catch the 109th celebration of the Cry of Santa Barbara and the Kahilwayan Festival in the town of Santa Barbara in the province of Iloilo. Santa Barbara is approximately 15 kilometers away from the capital, Iloilo City.
Most of us Filipinos are aware that the Philippines gained freedom, at least in Luzon on June 12, 1898. Little did we know that the battle for freedom still continues in the other parts of the country especially in the Visayan region. And just 12 days after the Spanish forces fell into the hands of Gen. Aniceto Lacson and Juan Araneta in Negros Occidental, they (the Spanish armada) also raised their hands in surrender to Gen. Martin Delgado in a fierce Battle in the town of Santa Barbara. It is on this town where the Philippine Flag was first hoisted in the island of Panay.
Fast Forward. 109 years later, the proud folks of Santa Barbara celebrated their town fiesta, or shall I say, their Independence Day which much pomp and pageantry. There was a marching band competition featuring the Marcha Libertador. It is the same marching tune which they used when they march from Santa Barbara to Iloilo City during the battle.
The Santa Barbara’s Kahilwayan Festival is one of Iloilo’s biggest festivals. The Kahilwayan Festival has won the 2007, 2006, and 2005 Kasadyahan Festival making them one of the very few festivals in Panay to have the distinction as a Kasadyahan Festival Grand Slam winner. They also got a runner up spot in the 2007 and 2006 Aliwan Fiesta. The Kahilwayan Festival is the 3rd prize winner in the 2005 Aliwan Fiesta.
Photos courtesy of Habagat Central
» Filed Under Festivals, Road Trip
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