Dinagat Festival: Keeping the story of a town
Our neighboring town of Cordova has something we should look forward to this August. It's their Dinagat Festival. This year's celebration is promising to be more vibrant and festive as there are recent social, cultural and economic activities taking place in this dynamic town. Despite some challenges that continue to test its resiliency and cohesiveness, it remains to be a haven for economic activities and cultural undertakings.
The popularity of the 10,000 LED roses, opened last February 14, 2017, remains high. Patterned from South Korea, such superb sight attracts both locals and tourists. Who could forget the mega 3rd bridge, the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway? Its groundbreaking last March 2, 2017 was attended by no less than President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Three years ago, I wrote about the festival and I highlighted the continuing legacy of the people and the town leaders. Founded in 2009 by Cristina Sitoy, wife of the late Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy, the festival which is continued by former Cordova mayor and now Presidential Adviser on Legislative Matters Adelino S. Sitoy, and now has continuously ignited the people's artistic consciousness is a legacy that his daughter, the present mayor, Teche Sitoy-Cho, is continuing.
It is a practice that we can assure of its transfer from one generation to another as it is deeply rooted on the history and religiosity of the people. Annually held to showcase the livelihood and fishing culture of this municipality, Dinagat is celebrated with religious association by holding it during the feast of the town's patron saint, San Roque.
The people are so indebted to the blessings of their outstanding livelihood which is fishing. It showcases the distinct cultural inheritance through accurate traditional rituals and dances. The activities of the festival include the Sayaw sa Dalan, Pasundayag, a street dancing contest, a dance drama showdown, and the Cordova Dinagat Festival Queen.
The sea gives life and story. And for a coastal town, while the sea provides them with livelihood, it also grants them with a rich story to tell from generation to generation.
Since the Cordovahanons found the sea as the source of their daily life, the awareness of environmental protection and sustainability is one laudable objective of the festival. This means that environmental activities that promote awareness and protection are very much integrated in the festivity.
Like an eel, as the town is gliding with recent socio-economic developments, it remains steadfast in its commitment to promote the cultural aspect. It is commendable that the local government, side-by-side with the economic development, is the development of other aspects including one that speaks of the soul and spirit, the rich cultural heritage.
The festival is the story of their abundant marine products. It narrates the story of the people and their interactions. It is keeping the legacy of the past that contributed to what the town has become. It is keeping the story of the town.
On Sunday, August 13, as one of the board of judges of the Dinagat Festival 2017, I will relive my experience as I witness Cordova's rich cultural heritage. But more than a showcase of performances, it is a profound understanding of who Cordovahanons are.
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