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| photo by Jose de Luna |
Haw-as Festival is
always the biggest event of the year in Dumangas, and the people of this historic
town look forward to it all year long. It is an annual festival dedicated to
community and the arts of its people.
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| photo by Jose de Luna |
Get ready for a
bountiful celebration with loads of fun, food, bands, community activities and
a street dance parade and the grand tribal presentation. Haw-as Festival brings
out the community and folks from the entire town. It reminds Dumangasanons of
all the good things that God has given them. This makes them want to share
their joy through fun-filled activities with others.
The highlight of the
celebration is the dance presentation known as “Haw-as Guban,” where
participating tribes depict and interpret the haw-as or fish harvest. This
grand competition is scheduled on October 31 at 1 in the afternoon.
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| photo by Jose de Luna |
Fishing has played
an integral role in the life of the people of Dumangas since the earliest of
times. First, it was for reasons of survival. Then, the abundant stocks
shellfish in the area became a way of life. Fishing has always been one of the
foundations of this town’s economy, and is its oldest organized industry. Among
the fishery products are bangus, crabs, prawn and shrimps. The municipality is
also rich in agricultural produce. Major agricultural products are palay, salt,
sugarcane, fruits and crops.
The festival dance
presentation is a simple dance and is performed to express joy. The dance is
extremely simple with minimum or a repetition of steps or movement with linear
formations. The dance burst with verve and vitality where men and women,
dressed as fishermen or farmers perform and in some occasion, the dancers sing,
while being accompanied by an instrument. Segments of the presentation have a
specific costume. Other presentations bear religious overtones. Dancers carry
the image of their patron saint, St. Agustin while swinging their arms and
continue to dance till carried away by their devotion. At times, as the rhythm
quickens, they indulge in acrobatics and even form human pyramids. While the
dance presentations are constantly being improved, the choreography is evolving
still to include a variety of steps and patterns. The skill and the imagination
of the dances influence the performance.
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| photo by Jose de Luna |
The multi-hued
Haw-ad dance is all energy and youthfulness. On the occasion, the spirited
performers representing their Gubans swarm the streets in colorful group,
waving various hand props, inspiring and inviting one and all to imbibe the
festive spirit. Alongside the festival
is the celebration is the 142nd Birth Anniversary of Col. Quintin Salas, this
town’s local hero.
Haw-as Festival is
a, occasion where you can stroll and be happy, where you can listen to music,
catch up with old friends and enjoy the weeklong festival activities prepared
by the organizers. The focus of the celebration is to promote unity and
celebrating the talents and diversity of its community.
Dumangas is a 1st
class municipality in the province of Iloilo. Politically subdivided into 45
barangays, it has a land area of 11, 677 hectares. The town is located
northeast and is 30 kilometers away from Iloilo City. Almost an hour drive,
Dumangas is bounded in the north by the Municipality of Barotac Nuevo, on the
south and east by the Guimaras Strait and on the west by the Municipalities of
Pototan and Zaraga.
To get to Dumangas,
one can take an air-conditioned van at Tikod Terminal in Lapaz, or a jeepney at
Tagbak Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo City. For more information, please contact Mr.
Benny Derequito- Municipal Tourism Officer at 09477900562.
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