Lambunao, Iloilo has
its own distinctive personality when it comes to festival. It should,
therefore, come as no surprise that Binanog, celebrated this year on December
10-19 reflects the culture and interests of the community and is one of the
biggest annual festival celebration of the arts in the province of Iloilo that
consists of dance and music.
The Local Government
of Lambunao in the last 16 years makes effort to promote the indigenous culture
of their Panay Bukidnon group especially through their dance and music enhanced
by colorful costumes where the male typically wears black or red pants with
black or red top with embroidered (tubok) patterns although optional, and a
bandana tied around their heads. The women, although optional wear a “pudong” or
a headpiece made of old coins. A “biningkit” or adornment of old coins for
the neck. Their tops are in kimono with a patadyong draped as a skirt and a
piece of cloth wrap around their waists.
The Binanog dance
performed every tribal presentation is their most highly developed art
performed through a celebration known as the Inagong Sayaw-Sayaw and a
courtship dance or Dinagmay.
The Binanugan, a
movement depicting the flapping of wings of Banog bird is represented by both
male and female dancers interact with one another. The legs are stomping
creating a unique beat as the male dancer observes his female counterpart as if
pursuing her by following her steps. The climax of the Binanugan is recognized
with the swinging of the shawl from the female dancer that is used to capture
her male counterpart.
There can be several
formations that the dancers perform. The steps are fast and mostly with
stamping movements. The man follows the woman throughout the majority of the
movement and the man is typically very happy and celebratory by nature.
The entire province
celebrates Binanog Festival that focuses on the traditions, culture and
background of the Panay Bukidnon. It is a celebration of their heritage and for
both native and non-native cultures to unite so the many aspects of native
culture can be shared.
The 16th Binanog
Festival opens with Convergence Day by DSWD at 7 a.m., Mass for Binanog Tribe
at 2 p.m., Pamukaw with the opening of the IP Village. Kinaadman Seis, Opening
of Food Festival and Agri Exhibit at 3 p.m., Street Dance Competition at 4
p.m., Opening Salvo Program at 5 p.m., Grand Switching on of Lights and
Fireworks and Binhi Band Entertainment at 8 p.m. on December 10 (Tuesday);
Acoustic Band featuring Emman Abatayo at 8 p.m. on December 11 (Wednesday);
Fourth of July Band at 8 p.m. on December 12 (Thursday); 108th Lambunao Day
with Motorshow at 4 p.m. and Mr. and Mrs. Smith Band at 8 p.m. on December 13
(Friday).
December 14
(Saturday) opens with Padyak sa Binanog 2019 at 7 a.m., Search for LBFQ 2019 at
7 p.m., Fair Play Band at 10 p.m.; December 15 (Sunday) Invitational Friendship
Basketball Game and Reverb Band at 7 p.m.; December 16 (Monday) Indigenous
People’s Day with Educator’s Night at 7 p.m. and Full Purse Band at 8 p.m.; December 17 (Tuesday) Angel A Band at 7 p.m.;
December 18 (Wednesday) Mr. and Mrs. Smith Band at 8 p.m.; December 19 (Thursday) Binanog Highlights and
Patadyong Day with Mass at 6 a.m., Opening Program at 7 a.m., Tribe Competition
with Saut Ka Banog interpretative Dance (Elementary Level)at 8 a.m., Merry
Making at 6 p.m., Awarding, and Fireworks
at 7 p.m. with Souled Out Band at 9:30 p.m.
The progressive town
of Lambunao is a 48-kilometer or an hour land trip from Iloilo City. A 2nd
class municipality in the Third Congressional District of the province, the
town is politically subdivided into 73 barangays. For more information, please
contact Miss Jennifer Osorio- Municipal Tourism Officer at 09199950593.
