2014 Haw-as in Dumangas

The Local Government Unit of Dumangas celebrates its ties with its fisher folks by hosting its annual Haw-as Festival on October 25-31, 2014. Celebrated annually for the last 12 years, the people gather to celebrate their commercial seafood industry - its past, its present and its future. It is a thanksgiving festival that marks the bountiful season and the time for harvest of good things from the sea.

Haw-as is a matter of pride for the people of Dumangas reminding them of all the good things God gives them and this makes them want to share with others.

The celebration brings about a community wide recreational highlight.  With a variety of food, fun and entertainment accompanied by the enthusiasm of a homecoming atmosphere, the festival attracts visitors from neighboring municipalities.  The event brings Dumangasanons together and preserves the saying, After all, life is to enjoy.

photo by Hawili Hurom

With the theme: “Tuigan Nga Pagpasalamat Para sa Bugay Sang Duta, Dagat kag Langit,” the week-long celebration kicks off with the Food Festival at 6 p.m. on October 25 (Saturday); October 27 (Monday) at 5 a.m. is the Run Against Illegal Drugs (RAID), a fun-run to increase awareness against illegal drugs spearheaded by the DMPS, at 9 am is a Drug Symposium, 1:30 p.m. is Health Education Day spearheaded by Municipal Health Office; October 28 (Tuesday) is Teachers Day and Jobs Fair sponsored by DOLE-PESO Dumangas at 8 a.m., in the afternoon is Laro ng Lahi, and the Search for Haw-as Festival Queen 2014 at 7 p.m.; October 29 (Wednesday) is the Dungganon Nga Dumangasanon 2014 Outstanding Taxpayers Award at 7 p.m.; October 30 (Thursday) is the Haw-as Festival Street Dancing and Guban Competition at 2 p.m.; October 31 (Friday) is the Commemoration of the 144^th Birth Anniversary of Col. Quintin Salas with a Cultural Contest on Binalaybay and Composo at 7 a.m. and the 2^nd Season of March of the Saints at 3 p.m.                       

Now in its 12th year the festival is one of Iloilo’s established food shows. There is always a special atmosphere at the celebration, a unique mix of the town’s vibrant festive scene and its traditional fishing and farming community. Dumangasanons are also what make it so special. They possess an appreciation of the simpler things in life. Together they bring the town to life and provide Dumangas with a showcase to be proud of.

photo by Hawili Hurom

The Guban competition undoubtedly is the highlight of the festival. As a fishing and agricultural community, performers burst with verve and vitality. Men and women sometimes perform some dances exclusively, while in some performances they dance together. They express their joy and happiness in a dance expressing their gratitude to God and their patron, St. Agustin whom they worship with great devotion. The accompanying music is provided by drumbeats. Segments form of dance with specific costume.

The town’s Cultural and Historical Week is also celebrated. The annual event, supported by a Municipal Ordinance in 2009 is an opportunity to celebrate and recognize efforts to preserve, interpret and educate Dumangas history and to have fun at the same time.

Haw-as is meant to promote peace, love and unity through music, dance, food and an array of fun and exciting activities. The festival also strives to support the community by providing different types of charity services for the needy. It is through the celebration of this festival that the people of Dumangas proudly preserve their culture and heritage.

The coastal area of Dumangas offers a unique route to new experiences marked by beautiful scenery where anyone can log off, unwind and enjoy numerous opportunities for wildlife viewing. Visitors will enjoy scenic water views—mangrove areas, ponds, and special wetlands. Along each are colourful communities where the town’s history is told, cultural traditions are maintained and a slower pace of life predominates.

Dumangas is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo and is located 30 kilometers northeast from Iloilo City. It is politically subdivided into 45 barangays with a land area of 11, 677 hectares. It 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 Zarraga.

When traveling to the municipality of Dumangas via the Monfort Coast Boulevard, one can take a van at Baldoza Transport Terminal in Barangay Baldoza, Lapaz, Iloilo City. From the terminal, taxis and jeepneys are available going to the city. Jeepneys to Dumangas is available at the Northern Central Iloilo Transport Terminal, Inc. in Barangay Tagbak,Jaro, Iloilo City.

The Essence and Influence of Garboso by Jo-Al Montelibano

Despite the presence of popular fashion brands in malls, our local fashion designers had always received an overwhelming response from fashion-conscious Ilonggos. Iloilo is an emerging cosmopolitan city in the Philippines with a vast pool of creative talent. During fashion shows, we get to see their works and celebrate the creativity that is plenty to be found here on our own shores. Ilonggo fashion designers have created waves not only in the Philippines, but across the globe.

One of the most promising up-and-coming Ilonggo talent with fashion-forward vision that stand out from the rest is Joseph Aloysius Benedicto Montelibano, 37 and is little by little making a name in the local fashion world in Manila. He has worked with many big social events and is currently enjoying a strong media presence.

Before presenting his capsule collection in Iloilo and Manila, Montelibano has worked as a Visual Merchandiser for Giorgio Armani in the US and as a Shop consultant at Sposabella Lace and Lace Star Inc. in New York. It was in 2006 when he came home to Iloilo where he purchased his first sewing machine and started taking in clients.

The designer has participated and was launched as a designer in Manila for the Pilipinas Men’s Fashion Week in 2011 where he showcased his clean lines and structured outfits that look chic and is set to become wardrobe staples, relaxed but strong styles.

His feminine lines are meant for today’s women with a global presence. His elegant designs and clean lines are not only known for embracing body contours that reflect confidence and comfort but also has functionality and glamour quotient. He love working on fabrics such as

Italian Silk, Satin, Brocade, and fabrics that are texturized and woven kinds. He fell in love with our local hablon and has launched his hablon collection during the Fiber Fashion Fair of last year where he mixed lace with gold and nude hand-loomed fabrics woven in Miagao. His collection was very romantic and ethereal – his attention to detail and level of craftsmanship is impressive.

Our designer is currently based in Manila but is often seen here on special occasions. He manages his own shop at JOSEPH ALOYSIUS Inc. unit 2236 Megaplaza ADB Avenue, corner Garnet Road Ortigas Center Pasig City, Manila.

Montelibano will showcase Garboso to his collection for the closing ceremony of the 7th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair on October 11 at 5:30 p.m., Event Center of SM City Iloilo. The 7th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair is a Trade Fair, Demonstration and Fashion Show event held at the Event Center of SM City Iloilo on October 5-11, 2014. October 5 at 4:30 p.m. will feature a Fiber Parade by Miagao-LGU and Lexter Badana at 5:30 p.m.; October 6 will have Ian Jorda at 5:30 p.m.; October 7 will feature a Fiber Parade with the candidates of Miss RPT Amnesty 2014 and Binky Pitogo at 5:30 p.m.; October 8 will showcase the collections of John Montinola at 5:30 p.m.; October 9 at 4:30 will have Hablon Duenasanon by Duenas-LGU. The event is brought to you by the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Provincial Tourism Office, DOT-VI, SM City Iloilo, Megaworld Iloilo Business Park, GMA-6 Iloilo and the Daily Guardian.

Habol Ilonggo Unveils Cultural Influences from John Montinola

John Aujero Montinola, 42 is set to electrify the runways on October 8, 2014, 5:30 p.m. at the Event Center of SM City Iloilo for the 7th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair with the unveiling of his habon collection. Known for his very creative and elegant flair for designing clothes, Montinola will unveil his latest forecast for both female and male.

His first attempt at fashion was in 2004 in a solo fashion show entitled Karma (his pseudo name) at Juans Restobar in Diversion Road, Mandurriao, Iloilo City where manages and at the same time owns the establishment.  His chic interpretation of local Indian fashion style with bold colors mesmerized the audience. It was in the same year when he captivated the mall audience with his intriguing art-as-fashion collections in Tumandok Fashion where he incorporated silk-screen fashion using the paintings of Juan Luna on hablon fabric. Models sashayed the stage and looked like as if they were part of the painting. His stunning collection turned the stage into a gallery filled with awe-inspiring fashion masterpieces.

Since then he has become a favourite with local fashion enthusiasts for his intricate, yet sophisticated designs as well as his elegant accessories inspired by cultural influences from the east and the west. He had captivated the audience with his intriguing art-as-fashion collections. His most applauded was in 2013 for Iloilo Designers Week where he created coral-inspired outfits in nude colors with stylish accents. The style was bold and somewhat futuristic in shape. Many have called it futuristic but the designer resists easy definitions.

Menswear is also a favourite that is so often based on the classic and the preppy but Montinola never follow the usual rules. Women’s wear may be much more competitive, but  he is ready, though he take pains in pointing out he is not abandoning menswear. To the contrary, his menswear collections were often heavily influence his women's clothes in terms of fabric and shape.

Montinola also debuted into resort wear with his street fashion show entitled Tropicale at the carpark of Amigo Mall for Dinagyang Festival in 2010 his collections were fun, flirty, and insouciant. It was a play of acid oranges, yellows, pinks, and greens, with a medley of geometric accessories inspired by island tribes, the current favourite of runways round the world.

Montinola is also known for his accessories from feather-trimmed heels to studded belts and raffia beach bags. He is also one of the most popular make-up artists in Iloilo with clients here and abroad. Presently he manages his shop at the 2nd floor of ANFEL Building, E. Llopez Street, Jaro, Iloilo City.

See more of our local designers in the 7th Indigenous Fiber Fashion Fair on October 5 with Miagao designers and Nono  Palmos at 4:30 p.m. and Lexter Badana at 5:30 p.m.; October 6 is Ian Jorda at 5:30 p.m.; October 7 will feature a Fiber Parade with the candidates of Miss RPT Amnesty 2014 and Binky Pitogo at 5:30 p.m.; October 8 will showcase the collections of John Montinola at 5:30 p.m.; October 9 at 4:30 will have Hablon Duenasanon by Duenas-LGU; and October 11 at 5:30 p.m. will highlight the collections of Joseph Aloysius Montelibano.

Hablon products from the towns of Miagao, Oton, Igbaras, Badiangan and Duenas will be on sale starting October 6-12, 2014.

The event is brought to you by the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Provincial Tourism Office, SM City Iloilo and DOT-VI and also brought to you by Megaworld Iloilo Business Park, GMA-6 Iloilo and the Daily Guardian.