KASADYAHAN SA CAPIZ

A peaceful haven hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced-city-life: Capiz owes much of its charm to a blend of its rich history and natural beauty; A captivating paradise to entice you with every turn.

Come and discover the Capiz mystic: Explore the rolling hills, mountain peaks and ranges; Enjoy daytime excursions at the province’s wide beaches or go spelunking in isolated coves; Visit local gardens, historical sites, old Spanish churches, Southeast Asia’s largest bell at Pan-ay Church, and the birthplace of Manuel A. Roxas, first Philippine President; Have a fill of a variety of seafood available all year round.

The province of Capiz becomes filled with revelry, dance and song as different towns take turns in showcasing the festive side of the people, and everyone is welcome to come join in the fun.  

Capiz is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Roxas City and is located at the northeastern portion of Panay Island, bordering Aklan and Antique to the west, and Iloilo to the south. Capiz faces the Sibuyan Sea to the north. Capiz is known for its mother-of-pearl shells that have the same name and are used for decoration, making lampshades, trays, and window doors. Capiz is known as the Seafood Capital of the Philippines.

The province of Capiz celebrates colorful fiestas every year.  The locals hold these festivals yearly as a sign of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests.  Townspeople also want to honor their town’s and the province’s patron saints. 

Here is a list of festivals celebrated in the province:

Sinadya sa Halaran Festival

The Sinadya sa Halaran Festival is the joint festival of the City of Roxas and the Province of Capiz. It is a mixed festival in that it is celebrated for both cultural and religious reasons. It is celebrated every first weekend of December in commemoration of the Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Concepcion who also happens to be the patroness of the City of Roxas. Sinadya sa Halaran boasts of colorful activities like the grand parade of festivals, the fluvial parade, the lighted river floaters. There is also the traditional seafood festival and the grand pyrotechnic display.Sinadya sa Halaran is one of Roxas City’s most important annual events and is fusion of two festivals – "Sinadya" (City) and "Halaran" (Province) which literally means joy in sharing and thanksgiving. It is celebrated on December 4-8 to commemorate the religious activities that embody the true Capiceño spirit. The highlights of the celebration are the Dancing Parade, ”Higantes”, Fluvial Parade, Fireworks display, Mutya sa Halaran beauty pageant, Coronation of the Fiesta Queen, and Agri-Aqua Trade Fair.

Lingga-anay Festival

Lingga-anay Festival is the annual Municipal Fiesta of Panay celebrated to pay homage to the Biggest Bell in Asia and to display the town’s rich cultural history together with its vast marine resources. The Festival boasts a one-of-a-kind street dance accompanied not by drum beats but of rondalla, which are the distinct feature of ecotis. Panay Mayor Dante Bermejo said the Festival is a milestone in the history of Panay because it highlights the cooperation of the public officials and the residents of the town.

Ilig Festival

“Ilig” which means “a downstream or seaward travel” or “a trip in the direction in which a river flows,” is a celebration which brings to mind the Dumalagnons’ age-old practice of transporting their chief product, bamboo, baled together into rafts, sometimes laden with marketable foodstuffs, to places down Panay River, particularly to Capiz, now Roxas City. It is a tribute to this very useful woody grass, be it in butong, kawayan, dalusan or bulo, a main source of living for the townsmen whose resilience and patience in meeting the difficulties and challenges in life is comparable to that of the pliant and enduring bamboo tree. The festival also assumes some religious significance: it reminds the Dumalagnons that his day on earth is temporary, that he should be on a constant journey – “ilig” –towards heaven – his God’s abode and also his real home – and that for such a venture he needs to load himself with strong faith and works of love and charity termed as taw-anay gugma. The highlights of the festival include Sadsad-Hapayhapay (street dancing), Tangkores (bayanihan), Kabutungan (bamboo trade fair), Biray-Lantay (fluvial parade at Panay River), Mapa-Suhot Kita! and other activities that will showcase the significance of bamboos. This celebration culminates on the 2nd Saturday after Easter, the Feast of Mary, Our Lady of Consolation, the secondary patroness of Dumalag

Agdahanay Festival

The Agdahanay Festival culminates on the 13th of June in honor of the town’s patron saint, San Antonio de Padua. This was conceptualized to give due recognition to the Cuarteronhon’s hospitality. “Agdahanay” means inviting and accommodating others. One whole week of fun, revelry, cultural activities and frenzied street dancing are enjoyed by the Cuarteronhons.

                                                                           

                                                                             Tilibyugay sa Talahong Festival

A 5-day event showcasing different activities like street dancing competition. The concept is based on the rituals on how to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest or a good catch which features fishing and related activities. Seafood Cooking contest; Miss tilibyugan sa talahong pageant; aqua trade fares; festival parade; barangay night; youth night; sports activities; parlor games cultural presentation and novelty shows are also culminated.

Sinaot Festival

It is a street dancing contest among groups dancing to the tune of the Latin beat garbed in colourful Caribbean costume. This annual festival is the center piece of the town’s municipal and religious fiesta .