Miagao, Iloilo will celebrate its 304th Foundation Anniversary
highlighted by the 22nd Salakayan Festival on February 3-9, 2020. Basically, it
is a story about the entire community rebelling against the cruel and tyrannic
Moros, now transformed into a festival that attracts thousands of spectators
every year.
Salakayan, from the Hiligaynon word “Salakay” or “to attack” is a weekend
adventure back in time with the early conquest of Spanish missionaries and the
town’s involvement in the Moro Wars, as they bring to life those turbulent
days. It is an annual commemoration of the historic battle that happened in May
7, 1754 and interpreted as the central theme of their annual dance-drama
competition.
To further Christian missionary efforts and the occupation of the
islands, Spain created an implacable enemy---the Muslims of the south. The
Spaniards considered conversion through baptism to be a symbol of allegiance to
their authority which the Moros resisted.
Spanish chroniclers have recorded major slave-raiding of
Christians by Muslim pirates. Quickly and silently spreading out, pirates
divided up and waited along the shoreline. At a given signal, firebrands to
torch churches and houses, launching a simultaneous attack on the sleeping
inhabitants.
Miagaowanons consider Salakayan to be an important part of their
culture and like to describe this re-enactment festival as a “liberating”
event. Salakayan Festival is definitely one you will remember.
With this year’s theme,” Panawagan sa Kultura sang Dayalogo
Padulong sa Paghidait,” series of week-long special events were prepared to
entertain the community and its guests. February 3 (Monday) opens with a
Pamukaw at 5:00 a.m., Transport Sector Caravan at 6:00 a.m., Salakayan Mass at
8:30 a.m., Opening of Agro and Industrial Fair at 9:30 a.m., Opening Salvo at 2
p.m., Opening Program and Raising of Barangay Banners at 5 p.m., Opening of
Food Fair at 6 p.m., Mga Pinili nga Lanton Naton by UPV Miagao Campus at 6:30
p.m., Miss Salakayan Talent’s Night at 7:30 p.m.; February 4 (Tuesday) Laro ng
Lahi at 9 a.m., LIGA Night at 6 p.m., Zumbathon at 6 p.m.; February 5
(Wednesday) Pottery (Banga) Painting Contest (Kararaw, Banig, and Salakot) at 9
a.m., Cavalcade of Dances at 2 p.m, Balikbanwa Night at 7 p.m.
February 6 (Thursday) Mountain Bike/ Fun Ride/ Race at 7 a.m.,
Miss Salakayan Pageant Night at 7 p.m.; February 7 (Friday) Mass and Fluvial
Parade at 8 a.m., Salakayan Re-enactment at 10 a.m., Games at Sea at 10:30
a.m., Transport Sectors Night at 7 p.m.; February 8 (Saturday) Tribes Contest
at 8 a.m., Float Parade at 2 p.m., Tribes Night at 7 p.m.; February 9 (Sunday)
Thanksgiving Mass at 7:30 a.m., Motocross at 8 a.m., and the Coronation of the
Queen of Miagao at 7 p.m.
Visitors will get a unique street-level experience at this
charming festival, vibrating with the atmosphere of a time gone by. Yes, this
is Salakayan Festival of Miagao and it presents an organized event steeped in
history.
The historical town of Miagao is 40.5 kilometers or an hour land
trip south from Iloilo City. Composed of 199 barangays with a land area of
13,286 hectares, Miagao is bordered by the towns of Igbaras to its northeast;
Guimbal to its east, San Joaquin to its west; and the municipality of Sibalom,
Antique Province to its northwest. To get there, one can take a jeepney at the
Don Benito Q. Acap Sr. Southern Iloilo Perimeter Boundary Terminal in Barangay
Mohon, Oton, Iloilo or at the market at the back of Robinsons Place Iloilo.
Metered taxis are also available at the terminal.
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