 |
| photo courtesy of Igbaras Tourism Office |
Igbaras, Iloilo comes
alive with the annual celebration of Tangyan Festival highlighted by the
street-dancing and tribe competition on May 15 (Friday) at 2 p.m. The theme
explores the role of the river as a recreational treasure in Igbaras, an
inspiration for art, habitat for wildlife, and as a major supplier of water for
drinking and industry.
Aside from folk
history and religious beliefs, performers take the issue of the environment on
stage using highly expressive movements and prop that vividly lamented on the
most dangerous threat to the Mother Earth. Interspersed with dialogues and
monologues, the dance is visually stimulating and compelling as it reveals day
to day “attacks” on the environment by people who appear completely oblivious
of the consequences of their actions.
 |
| photo courtesy of Igbaras Tourism Office |
The festival has been
running since 2006, this year's festival will mark the 11th time the festival
has been observed. The festival is celebrated to honor Tangyan, its
contribution to history and economy and has been held on the 2nd week of May
every year. Each year the festival provides a major boost for the local
economy, bringing not only local people but people visiting Igbaras. In additional
to the local economy, Tangyan Festival provides a major boost to its resorts
and accommodation establishments.
The name Tangyan, with
reference to the river, was based on local folk history. Orang Tangyan, father
of Maniwangtiwang, the wife of Marikudo, the Ati Chieftain in Panay, once lived
in the plains of Igtalongon, a settlement at the foot of Mount Napulak along
the river. The river was named after him.
.JPG) |
| photo courtesy of Igbaras Tourism Office |
Tangyan Festival
provides the community with exciting opportunities to celebrate the many ways
its river enrich their lives. This waterway provides irrigation, potable water,
fish stocks and cheap transportation, supporting livelihoods in the area. Its water is a basic natural resource,
essential for various human activities. Tangyan is flooded with information
especially when one is looking for stories, places to go in Igbaras.
Tangyan River
traverses from the tipmost part up to the bottom area of the municipality and
delineates into three major areas covering almost all of its barangays.
Tangyan is considered
the major watershed area being the source of water for puroposes of domestic,
agricultural and commercial activities. It is also a suitable site for
encampment. Igabaras had hosted the Boys and Girls Scouts in several areas
along the river in Barangays Jovellar, Igtalongon, Poblacion and Barasan.
Temporary military camps and other religious encampments are also located along
the river in the barangays of Pinaopawan, Poblacion and Passi.
The river also play
host to the Panihud sa Suba Tangyan, Obra Dum-ok sa Suba observed in the month
of January and the Bungkag Dum-ok sa Suba (the local’s way of entrapping the
area with nets to collect fresh water fish, crabs and shrimps) enjoyed during
Lenten season. The annual Biray sa Suba Tangyan is celebrated every 24th day of
June in honor of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of the Igbaras
parochial community.
 |
| photo courtesy of Igbaras Tourism Office |
Igbaras is 40
kilometers away from the city. Politically subdivided into 46 barangays over a
land area of 15,243 hectares, it is bordered in the north by the Municipality
of San Remegio of Antique Province; in
the east by the Tubungan, Iloilo ; in the west by the Miagao, Iloilo; and the
south by Guimbal, Iloilo. Napulak Mountain separates the province of Antique
from Igbaras,
To get to the town,
one can take a jeepney at the Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter
Boundary Terminal in Barangay Mohon, Oton, Iloilo. Metered taxis are also
available at the terminal. For more information, please contact Engr. Wilfredo
“Boy” Delgado-Municipal Tourism Officer at (033) local 104- 5184022 or at
09209643404.
