'Tunog Capiznon' CD now out

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 26 (PIA6) – A compact disc (CD) of “Tunog Capiznon” album is now out and available for sale at the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO).

A songwriting and composition workshop was conducted by the provincial government and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as among the initial steps for the realization of the project,
said PTCAO head Alphonsus Tesoro

The compositions and popular Visayan folk songs CD was launched in time with the 118th birthday of Capiceña diva and National Artist for Music Jovita Fuentes last Feb. 15 at the Ground Floor of the Provincial Capitol Building here graced by Capiceño composers and lyricists, local officials, tourism officers and provincial government employees.

The Capiznon songs were harmonized and arranged by excellent musician, world-class composer, conductor and music education teacher Dr. Alfredo S. Buenaventura and include Banwang Pinasahi, Pinalangga ko nga Ginikanan, Mabugnaw nga Hangin, Paghigugma, Banwang Puluy-an, Banwa sang Panit-an, Sa Diin Si Nanay?and Inilusan sa Mambusao.

Beunaventura, also a winner of several national composition contests, helped the province during the workshop.

The songs “Ay Kalisud” and “Walay Angay” were performed by Filamer Christian University (FCU) student Judy Mar Alvarez during the activity. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA 6 Capiz)

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PNoy wants Capiz as agri-tourism site

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 20 (PIA6) – President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed Agriculture Sec. Proceso Alcala and Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez, Jr. to ensure implementation of a project that will make Capiz an agri-tourism destination.

This was conveyed by the President in today’s meeting with local leaders and the community at Sigma Civic Center in Sigma town.

The idea to develop the province as an agri-tourism site was an offshoot of Pres. Aquino’s engagement with Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco and other local officials at a seaside restaurant a few years ago.

“In Manila there are live seafood markets where customers choose and have it cooked on a preferred menu,” Aquino noted,adding that it will be more fun if local seafood restaurant patrons will be given the chance to catch seafoods of their choice at their natural habitat.

“Kung magkaroon ako ng oras gusto ko ma experience yan,” he stressed. (If I have the time I would try it.)

In 2011, the President has also urged local government officials and the private sector to work with the national government in developing Capiz’ tourism potentials especially its seafood to lure tourists going to Boracay to choose Capiz as their next tourist destination.

The upcoming collaboration of the Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Tourism is a big boost in the provincial government’s efforts in attaining a “Captivating Capiz” development vision and battlecry.

Tourism development and promotion is one of the major thrusts of the Tanco’s administration.

The province is dubbed as the "Seafood Capital of the Philippines", boasting its 80-kilometer coastline and wide expanse of swampy lands easily converted into fishponds.

It holds one of the richest fishing grounds and a major contributor in the aquamarine industry of the country. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA 6 Capiz)

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‘Sayaw Pinoy’ in Capiz Feb. 18 -19

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 15 (PIA6) – The country-wide tour of “Sayaw Pinoy” project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will be in Capiz on Feb. 18 to 19 for a series of dance performances in view of the National Arts Month celebration.

The presentation will feature the Quezon City Ballet, Kislap Sining Dance Company of the Philippine Normal University and Saint Louis University Dance Troupe in Baguio City.

“Sayaw Pinoy will perform at Pontevedra as well as Sigma towns and at the Provincial Park here for the delegates of Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet and other onlookers,” said Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Alphonsus Tesoro.

He added that local dance groups that include Silak Dance Company of Filamer Christian University, Sarayawan Dance Company of Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, Capiz National High School Dance Troupe, Energetic Explosion and Break – A – Leg Dance Troupe will also join in the Sayaw Pinoy presentation at the park.

Different forms of dance such as indigenous dances, folk dances, classical ballet, modern and contemporary dances and hip-hop will be showcased by the dancers.

“Sayaw Pinoy presentation has been in the province in the past four consecutive years,” Tesoro noted.

The project serves as a venue for NCCA’s engagement with municipalities which may not have been reach by the Commission’s programs and assistance in the past.

It also provides opportunities to young Filipino dance groups all over the country to perform and learn from professional dance companies. (JCM/AAL//PIA 6 Capiz)

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Tourism made part of WVRAA

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Feb. 5 (PIA6) – Various tourism – based activities are being prepared by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) for the delegates of the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet here on Feb. 18 to 22.

PTCAO head Alphonsus Tesoro said that destination booths featuring all towns as tourist destinations as well as Visual Arts Exhibit will be staged at the Capiz Gym during the regional sports competition.

Tesoro added that “Tribu Padagyaw” from Dumarao town will perform at the WVRAA opening ceremonies on Feb. 18.

The performance which depicts bayanihan or unity and cooperation by everyone on a wedding occasion is 3rd runner up in the recently concluded Kasadyahan Competition of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival last month.

“Delegates will also be entertained by a Sayaw Pinoy project of the National Committee on Dance by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts on Feb. 19 at the Provincial Park here,” Tesoro noted.

Three dance groups that include Quezon City Ballet, Kislap Sining Dance Company of the Philippine Normal University and Saint Louis University Dance Troupe in Baguio City and some Capiz dance groups will perform in the Sayaw Pinoy presentation.

“This is part of our efforts to position Capiz as a venue for meetings, incentives, conventions and events,” Tesoro stressed, adding that the province has been a host to various national and regional sporting events like University Games, Private Schools Athletic Association as well as State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association Meets and National Student Convention in the past two years.

About 5,000 athletes, coaches and WVRAA officials are expected to go here for the sporting event. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

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SLT undertakes revivial of Panay Bukidnon cultures, traditions

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Dec. 4 (PIA6) – Three Panay Bukidnon traditions were the focus of a study in a 72-day School for Living Tradition (SLT) Phase I of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) which ended in a graduation ceremony last Nov. 17 at Barangay Jaena Norte in Jamindan town.

Panay Bukidnon is a group of Indigenous Peoples that boasts of a rich tradition and cultures.

The revived traditions are the Binanog/Agong Dance which is a dance of courtship that resembles the movements of the “binanog” bird, Ambahan (songs welcoming a visitor) and Hilinawod chant, the longest epic in the country that recounts the bravery of Panay folklore heroes.

Jaena Norte Punong Barangay Isidro Natabio, Jr. has thanked NCCA for the attention extended on the needs of Indigenous Peoples (IP) as he underscored that the SLT is “a great help for the IP leaders to revive our culture, customs and traditions in order for the Panay Bukidnons to have their own identity.”

Natabio, who is also a Tribal Chieftain and chairman of Jamindan Bukidnon Tribes Association (JABTA), also thanked the Municipal Officials for supporting the program by allocating funds for IP activities.

Aside from reviving IP culture, the initiative also provided livelihood to the four masters and IP children as P250.00 and P50.00 fees were given to them, respectively, per session for 72 days.

Jamindan town mayor Ethel Jinon also contratulated the IP children and their parents for participating in the project.

She also pledged to continue allocating funds for IP activities every year and will double the P50,000.00 assistance starting year 2013.

Twenty-four IP children graduated from the SLT.
For his part, NCCA representative Ruel Doce said that the SLT graduation is the start of the graduates long journey towards representation of their own culture in local, national and even international settings.

He also reminded the children that the culture and arts that they learned could help them develop their lives for the IP cultures are among the tourism attractions in the municipality.

The graduation was attended by Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Alphonsus Tesoro, some town councilors and IP members. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA6 Capiz)

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2nd ‘Uga" Festival features more attractions

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 30 (PIA6) – More attractions of the 2nd “Uga Festival” drew more participants and visitors last Nov. 23 along the shoreline of Barangay Dumulog here.
“Uga” is the local term for dried fish which is the villagers primary source of livelihood.

Highlight of the celebration was the boodle fight of various dried-fish-based menus prepared on top of over 100 meters of banana leaves on long tables.

The military style of eating during the festival broke its own record last year in terms of the span of foods cooked for the activity which was less than 100 meters long.

Various dried fish–based menus include enselada, monggo with malunggay, la-ing, kare-kare, valenciana, spaghetti and carbonara, among others.

On top of the menu, were grilled fishes, varied fried dried fishes and shrimps that were also served in the free-for-all and eat-all-you-can session.

A Gay Marathon, was also introduced in this year’s festival according to the Roxas City government’s social networking site account.

Other activities included a playground demonstration participated in by Roxas City’s Blue Ladies, 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) beneficiaries and kidergarten, elementary and high school students of the barangay..

Dumolog Punong Barangay Richard Mario Artillero thanked city officials, particularly the mayor Angel Alan Celino, who took the Manila - Iloilo - Roxas City route just to catch up with the festival.

The festival is in view of the feast day of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal which is the barangay’s Patroness.
The local production of high quality dried fish, aside from tons of fresh fish and seafoods supplied daily to various cities and provinces, manifests that Roxas City is the Seafood Capital of the country. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

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Festival packages Roxas City as Mama Mary’s place

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Nov. 22 (PIA6) – This year’s Sinada sa Halaran (SSH) festival on Dec. 6 to 8 here is packaged by organizers in a way that Roxas City and Capiz will be known as a home to Mary Immaculate Concepcion.

“We want to show that we are a place of Mama Mary,” said Roxas City Metropolitan Cathedral representative Reverend Dedert Duarte during a recent press conference for the upcoming celebration, adding that other places became popular because of their Patron Saint.

The culminating day of the three-day festival, Dec. 8, is the feast of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion, the Patroness of the Archdiocese of Capiz.

The Day is also a Holy Day of obligation for all Catholics.

On Dec. 7, a precession of the 47 barangays’ Patron Saints will be conducted around the city that will be followed by a Vesper’s Mass at the public plaza here.

A fluvial procession at the Panay River of the image of Mama Mary on a well-lighted and decorated pagoda will follow after the mass.

“Upon arrival at the Roxas City Bridge, Mama Mary will be dramatically lifted by a crane as devotees offer prayers and flowers,” Duarte noted, stressing that a fireworks display during this segment of the religious activity is in honor of the Patroness.

From the bridge, a Marcha dela Immaculada will be conducted passing Burgos Street to the Metropolitan Cathedral.

The church official also reminded the devotees to actively participate during the march by lighting candles, citing devotions while bringing rosary, placards and images.

“Rain or shine let’s join the Marcha dela Immaculada,” he noted.

This year's feast day of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception with the theme "Maria, Ganhaan sang Pagtuo" coincides with the 305th anniversary of the parish here.

For his part, SSH spokesperson Rommel Lastimoso said that the festival will focus more on the role of Virgin Mary on the life of Capiceños.

He also urged tourists to come to the city and participate in the celebration by paying tribute to Mama Mary. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA 6 Capiz)

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“Guyum Guyuman" exhibit opens in Capiz

GOVERNOR'S BITE. Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. poses before local photographers as he was about to savor a snack food of Pontevedra town during the opening of “Guyum Guyuman” exhibit last Oct. 16 at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol in Roxas City. Also in photo are Pontevedra mayor Esteban Jose B. Contreras, M.D. and Capiz Vice-Gov. Esteban Evan B. Contreras III (right). (PIA Capiz photo/A. Lumaque)

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Oct. 17 (PIA6) – An exhibit of seafoods, souvenir items, agriculture products and tourist destinations of Pontevedra town in Capiz opened last Oct. 16 at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol here.

The exhibit dubbed “Guyum Guyuman” will showcase the municipalities’ way of life which promotes the messages of loving, caring and sharing until Oct. 27 this year.

“Guyum Guyuman” is derived from a Hiligaynon word “guyom” or ant.

It is part of the “Lagaw Capiz” initiative by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) in collaboration with the Organization of Tourism Officers of Capiz (OTOC) and local government units (LGU) to educate and inform the people of the various tourist destinations in the province.

“Some of the products are for sale while some will be for public viewing only,” said Pontevedra mayor Esteban Jose B. Contreras as he also explained that the concept of the exhibit indicates the spirit of unity and oneness of the town residents in moving towards a goal just like ants.

“We also showcase the town’s two inland resorts located at barangays Lantangan and Malag-it,” he added.

An opening program highlighted by a cultural presentation of a Guyom-Guyoman Group clad in red ants costume at the Capitol stairs and front hallway areas formally kicked off the exhibit.

For his part, Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. underscored that the various tourism-related activities in the province have made Capiz’ presence felt in the tourism map of the country.

The province has been awarded as the 3rd Most Tourism Oriented Local Government Unit (LGU) in the Philippines during the recent Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) convention in Zamboanga Del Norte earlier this month.

Pontevedra followed the municipalities of Sapian, Cuartero and Jamindan in showcasing its potentials at the Provincial Capitol.

The opening ceremonies of the exhibit were also graced by Capiz Vice-Governor Esteban Evan Contreras, Board Member Jeffrey Layo, OTOC President and Pontevedra Tourism Officer Jinky Lynn Contreras, Cong. Antonio Del Rosario’s office representatives, provincial government employees and local tri-media practitioners, among others. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA 6 Capiz)

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Capiz to hold Tourism Expo Sept. 27-29

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 17 (PIA6) – A three-day tourism expo will kick off on Sept. 27 at the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center (DRCC) here in view of the 2012 Provincial Tourism Week (PTW) celebration.

The expo, spearheaded by the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), is composed of several activities like photo exhibit, travel fair, cooking demonstration and induction of officers of the Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Hotels of Capiz (ARRHC) as well as Capiz Tour Operators Association, among others.

Department of Tourism (DOT) – 6 Officer-In-Charge lawyer Helen Catalbas and Capiz Gov. Victor A. Tanco, Sr. are expected to grace the opening ceremonies.

Booths will also be constructed for local government units, ARRHC and the Provincial Small and Medium Enterprises Development (SMED) Council to display their respective products at the venue.

Plants and horticulture growers will also display and sell their products during the expo.

“Each town will also send a model to represent in fashion show on Sept. 29,” said PTW project coordinator/focal person Arnold Flor.

The fashion show will feature participants wearing t-shirts with printed tourist sites of their respective locality.

“Different schools were also tapped for cultural performances during the week-long celebration,” Flor noted.

About 300 participants from various schools offering hospitality and tourism courses and related fields are expected to attend the Western Visayas Tourism Convention tentatively set on Sept. 28 at the Capiz Gym here.

An early morning breakfast of native foods at the Capiz Provincial Park here on Sept. 24 will open the weeklong celebration that will be followed by the familiarization tour dubbed “Lagaw Capiz” on the various tourist destinations in the province.

Participants on the first day of the tour are mediamen, ARRHC and tourism officers, among others.

A Heritage Walk will every 4:00 to 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon also be spearheaded by the Roxas City Tourism Office on the various tourism come-ons in the city starting Sept. 24.

During the PTW celebration, PTCAO will also be conducting a tourism and cultural awareness forum in the municipalities.

The last week of September every yeat has been designated as PTW in Capiz since 2008 as embodied in a Capiz provincial board resolution.

The celebration aims to develop tourism awareness among Capiceños and boost the local tourism industry. (JCM/AAL/PIA 6 Capiz)

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"Pabalon" highlights Jamindan town's best customs and traditions

BINANOG DANCE. Members of Panay Bukidnon from the indigenous people's communities of Jamindan, Capiz imitate the flight and movements of a hawk or banog on a Binanog Dance during the opening ceremonies of Jamindan town’s exhibit on the best practice of values, culture, customs and traditions dubbed “Pabalon” last Sept. 12 at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol in Roxas City. (PIA Capiz photo/A. Lumaque)

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 13 (PIA6) – An exhibit on the best practice of values, culture, customs and traditions dubbed “Pabalon” by the municipal government of Jamindan in Capiz kicked off last Sept. 12 at the ground floor of the Provincial Capitol here.

“Pabalon is one of the best values that we Jamindanganons could be proud of because we never allow our guests to go home empty-handed as we make sure that they could take home something,” said Jamindan town councilor Lemuel V. Vestidas in his welcome message during the opening of the exhibit.

Vestidas, who represented Jamindan town mayor Ethel R. Jinon on the activity, added that the hospitality gesture makes visitors and tourist remember and go back to the town.

The opening ceremonies also showcased the town’s cultural asset, Panay Bukidnon, who presented their “binanog” dance, oral traditions and crafts for a deeper appreciation of the group’s talent and way of life.

Binanog is a courtship dance which involves movements in imitation of the flight of the hawk or banog.

During the opening day of the exhibit, the town’s locally produced products like baskets, brooms, fancy rice and cuisines were hot sellers to Provincial Capitol and national government employees, among others.

The exhibit also includes “not to sold” items like bolo and religious artifacts, costumes, municipal government’s achievements and photographs on the town’s various tourist attractions.

Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Officer Alphonsus Tesoro said that the initiative is a way to educate and inform the people of the various tourist destinations in the province.

The municipalities of Sapian and Cuartero have showcased their potentials at the Provincial Capitol ahead of Jamindan.

“This exhibit will be until next year as all the 16 towns and Roxas City will be given time to showcase their respective localities,” said Tesoro, noting that Pontevedra town will be the next exhibitor.

The activity is part of the “Lagaw Capiz” (Explore Capiz) initiative of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) in collaboration with the Organization of the Tourism Officers of Capiz (OTOC) and local government units.

The initiative will be complemented by PTCAO with the showcase of festival costume of the municipalities which will be launched during the Provincial Tourism Week celebration later this month. (Alex A. Lumaque/PIA6 Capiz)

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Capiz Tour Operators vow to bring in more tourists

ROXAS CITY, Capiz, Sept. 6 (PIA6) – The officers of the newly organized Capiz Tour Operators Association (CTOA) will formally assume their respective positions in an oath-taking ceremony on Sept. 27 at Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center here.

The induction ceremony will be in time for the opening of a tourism expo in line with the 2012 Provincial Tourism Week celebration.

The officers, are led by Tickets N More Travel Agency General Manager Donnel San Antonio, together with Vicky Baes of San Mateo Travel and Tours, vice-president; Francisco Bellosillo, Jr. of Bellosillo Travel and Tours, secretary Heidi Chiu of Ticket Time Travel and Tours, treasurer,Peter Magpayo of Panay River Tours, public relations officer (PRO), Carlos Ty of C & L Travel Agency, auditor and Erwin Alba of Jonar Resources, business manager.

“Our main objective is to invite prospective investors to invest in our local tourism industry and bring in more tourists to Roxas City and Capiz,” said San Antonio.

“Based on our interviews with various tourists, one local tourist spends around P3,000.00 – P5,000.00 while every international visitor costs 1,000 to 2,000 US dollars during a vacation anywhere in the province,” he added.

The amount of money are usually used to pay local hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other tourism-related enterprises.

The association has also been instrumental on the operation of Roll-On Roll-Off (RORO) vessel plying the route of Culasi Port here to Batangas City Port via Odiongan, Romblon since May this year.

Aside from CTOA, the RoRo operation was also realized through the support of the Capiz Halaran Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Roxas City Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Capiz Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council, Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) – Capiz Chapter, Roxas City Investments and Promotion Center and local officials.

The group is also working to invite other airline and shipping companies to open new routes for the province. (JCM/Alex A. Lumaque/PIA 6 Capiz)

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