Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival: A Joyous Display of Cultural Pride and Legacy of Calinog

Calinog, Iloilo will be holding one of the most unique and authentic festivals in the province as it celebrates its local identity and roots as part of the annual Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival that started on January 24 (Friday) and will end on February 2 (Sunday).

The presentation if of two portions, a combination of the pre-Hispanic celebration of the Sulodnons or Panay Bukidnons, and the Catholic tradition of Sr. Sto. Nino. It opens with the Suguidanon segment and ends in Hirinugyaw.

The unique community of the Panay Bukidnons of Calinog seeks to promote and honor their culture and heritage highlighted in the celebration of Iloilo’s most inspiring indigenous festival in this segment performed and displayed in sections from the chosen chapter of the epic ballad Hinilawod, a vibrant celebration brimming with historic costumes, folkloric dances and the re-enactment of several legendary folkloric characters. The segment also showcases unique costumes, music, dance, and cultures that make-up Calinog’s diverse heritage.

Prepare to be swept away by the rhythm of the drums, battle cries, and pounding feet as dance troupes simultaneously perform an array of traditional and contemporary choreographies for the second segment, the Hirinugyaw segment. Intricate hand-crafted headdresses and hand props come together in a sensory burst of color to celebrate Sr. Sto. Nino.

With the theme “Kulturang Calinognon nga may Himpit nga Pagtuo kay Senior Sto. Nino, Dalan sa Pag-uswag ka Banwa kag Turismo,” the highlight of the festivity is the annual tribe competition on February 2 (Sunday) at 7:30 a.m. Series of special events have been calendared that started on January 24 (Friday) the Opening Salvo with a Holy Mass at 3 p.m., Opening Program at 4:30 p.m., Lighted Sto. Nino at 5:30 p.m., Torched Parade at 6:30 p.m., and Jalaudnon Attire and Talents Night Presentation of Search for Linghoron Kag Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao 2020 at 8:3 p.m.; January 25 (Saturday) Presentations and Cultural Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., District of Calinog II at 6:30 p.m.; January 26 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., District of Calinog I Teachers and Pupils at 5:00 p.m.; January 27 (Monday) Linabugan Festival with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., 6th Linabugan Festival with Linabugan Dishes and Appetizer Presentation, Actual Cook-Off Challenge at 7 p.m. January 28 (Tuesday) Car Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Car Show at 5 p.m., 1st Hugyaw Mobile Legends Tournament.

January 29 (Wednesday) Presentations and Cultural Show with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Brain Quest at 6:30 p.m., the Duke’s Band at 9 p.m.; January 30 (Thursday) Coronation Night with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night of Linghuron nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao at 7:30 p.m.; January 31 (Friday) Coronation Night with a Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night of Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao at 7:30 p.m.; February 1 (Saturday) Holy Mass at 6:30 a.m., Procession of Live Sto. Nino at 7:30 a.m., Agape at 9 a.m., Battle of Mini Sounds at 1 p.m., Tumandok: A Fashion Show of Local Designer at 7 p.m., Live Band at 9 p.m.; February 2 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 6 a.m., Tribe Competition at 7:30 a.m., Live Band at 5 p.m., Announcement of Winners at 7:00 p.m., Fireworks Display at 8 p.m., Live Band.

Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival is one of the largest indigenous celebrations in Iloilo Province, and it has quickly become a sought-after experience by festival lovers from all over the country. It is the perfect opportunity to explore the intricate cultural threads that weave Calinog’s past, present, and future together.

The First-Class municipality of Calinog is situated at the central portion of the province and is 59.3 kilometers away from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz; northeast by the municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo; northeast by the municipality of San Remegio, Antique; south by the town of Lambunao, Iloilo; southeast by the municipality of Dueńas, Iloilo and; southwest by the town of Valderama, Antique. It has a total land area of 23, 280 hectares and politically subdivided into 59 barangays.

Calinog is populated by 60, 413 (2015 Census on Population) Calinognons. Market day is every Tuesday.  It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 8th of December in honor of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.

To get to the town, one can take a van at the Ungka Transport Terminal (fronting Christ the King Memorial Park) or CBL bus liner at Robinsons Place Pavia Terminal in Barangay Ungka-II, Pavia, Iloilo.

Blending Religion with Tradition with SAAD Festival of Leganes

Leganes, Iloilo will celebrate their patron saint San Vicente Ferrer with a festivity taking place in the week leading up to the biggest day of the festival on January 31st. Saad was previously celebrated in April to commemorate the saint’s death but recently was moved to January to remember his birth.

Saad, a Hiligaynon term for “vow,” displays is a celebration defining the presence of God through the intercession of their patron saint in every Leganesnon’s life.

The heart of the celebration is the Saad Festival cultural dance parade and competition scheduled at 4 p.m. on the 31st of January this year. It offers a repertory of folk dances and musical expressions originating from the blend of various local traditions. Groups of dancers, actors, singers, and instrumentalists delight crowds with theatrical and musical performances.

There will be something happening week-long to mark the 16th year religious celebration of the festivity.

January 24 (Friday) Mass at 2 p.m., Opening Salvo Parade at 3 p.m., Launching Program at the Saad Park, and Miaa Leganes Saad Festival Talent’s Night at the Leganes Gym at 8 p.m.; January 25 (Saturday) “Leganesnon Ang Kabataan Aton Tatapon LAKAT Fun Run Activity at 5 a.m.; January 27 (Monday) Little Miss Saad 2020 at 5:30 p.m., Ill Pride at 8:30 p.m., the Duke’s Band at 10:30 p.m.; January 28 (Tuesday) Super Nanay 2020 at 6p.m., Miss Leganes Saad Festival Grand Coronation Night at the Leganes Gym at 8 p.m., Totong Villaruz and his band at 8:30 p.m., Sativa Reggae Band at 11 p.m.

January 29 (Wednesday) Zumba Fest at the Leganes Fiesta Pavillion at 6 p.m., Basta Driver, Sweet Lover Singing Contest at 6:30 p.m., First Edition Band at 9p.m., Soundtrack Trio at 11 p.m.; January 30 (Thursday) Mass at 2 p.m., Sinadsad Parade and Dance Competition at 3 p.m., Ember at 6:30 p.m., Kreonz Band at 9 p.m., DJ Young at 11 p.m.; January 31 (Friday) Mass at 3 p.m., Cultural Dance Parade and Competition at 4 p.m., DJ Mark Tio at 7:30 p.m., Awarding Ceremony at 8:30 p.m., Hashtag Jimboy at 9:30 p.m., Rains Band at 10:30 p.m., DJ CJ Tanoy at 12 midnight.

The celebration of Saad plays a very important role in the culture of Leganesnons. It is customary to have the annual festival and engage the community in recreational activities like parades and services held to honor the saint. In addition, there is a devotional aspect to it. There are novenas that lead up to its feast day.

The heart of the celebration is the Saad Festival cultural dance parade and competition scheduled at 4 p.m. on the 31st of January this year. Saad was previously celebrated in April to commemorate the saint’s death but recently was moved to January to remember his birth.

To see Leganes during Saad Festival is a great privilege, and being able to share this celebration makes for a very special trip to the town.

The municipality of Leganes has many other places to see during your visit.

San Vicente Ferrer Parish Church is among the most visited in the province because people would come to pay homage to San Vicente Ferrer and display their acts of faith with hopes that the desires of their hearts might be fulfilled. The façade of the church is an elaborate example of the usual baroque church common in the Philippines. It shares a lot of similarities to the Church of Saint Theresa in Lithuania.

Katunggan Mangrove Protected Area in Barangays Gua-an and Nabitasan, is a 15-hectare man-made mangrove forest. What used to be an abandoned, underutilized and unproductive fishpond is now thickly–covered with mangroves attracting birds, a variety of spawning fish species, mud crabs and other marine wildlife. In March 2011, a bamboo hut was constructed, which serves as a reception and rest area for volunteers. The park now has 230 meters of elevated pathway made of wood and mostly bamboo materials. Visitors can now view the entire mangrove forest park from atop a viewing deck.

Sea Garden Resort in Barangay Camangay is an inland resort offering beachfront smoke-free accommodations overlooking the island province of Guimaras. It has various facilities, such as cottages, a restaurant, a bar, and a garden. It has an adult pool and two children’s pools with one having a playground at the center. The area also provides guests with a children's playground. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a continental breakfast.

This Fourth Class town is located along the Guimaras Strait, opposite the town of Buenavista in Guimaras. It is adjacent to the City of Iloilo in the south; bounded by Pavia in the southeast; Sta. Barbara in the west; and Zarraga in the north. It has a total land area of 3, 216 hectares politically subdivided into 18 barangays.

Leganes is populated by 32, 480 (2015 Census on Population) Leganesnons. The market day is every Sunday. It annually celebrates its religious fiesta every 5th of April in honor of St. Vincent Ferrer.

To get to Leganes, one can take a 20-minute jeepney ride from Jaro Plaza. For more information, please contact Jerry Anas – Municipal Tourism Officer at 09127721033.