Dinagyaw Festival is a cultural, harvest, and religious festival in Candoni City, Negros Occidental, Philippines every February 11. It is held in time with the patronal fiesta of Our Lady of Lourdes.
History of Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival
In the past, Candoni City celebrated Pabalhas sa Tablas Festival in time for the annual city fiesta. Pabalhas sa Tablas Festival was launched within the term of Mayor Manzano. Its name comes from pabalhas, a Hiligaynon term for perspiration, and Tablas, the old name of the city.
In 2008, the street dancing was not presented. In the following year, during the term of Mayor Cicero Borromeo, it was renamed into Dinagyaw sa Tablas after the Hiligaynon word dinagyaw that means bayanihan spirit, a concept that refers to a collective action by a community united in performing a task.
Both festivals (old and new) drew its inspiration from the historic founding of Candoni. Formerly known as Tablas from Tabla Valley, it used to be part of Cauayan.
Santiago H. Diego, who hailed from the nearby town of Isabela, and original pioneers led the clearing of its lands in 1935. They formed into a cooperative into which each gave a contribution, and the resources that they collected were spent towards the efforts of carving a settlement in the valley.
Their massive effort was driven by the desire to own a piece of land. The project gained the support of the government. A road was built connecting Candoni with Dancalan, Ilog.
On August 22, 1958, President Carlos P. Garcia signed Executive Order No. 314 which separated Candoni from Cauayan and established as an independent municipality.
Devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes
Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival is also a celebration of the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, the patroness of the city. Many Roman Catholics express their Marian devotion ever since the church was established in 1951.
Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival Activities
Religious services start with novena and mass beginning in Feburary 2.
Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival feature activities such as beauty pageant (Lin-ay sang Tablas, Miss HS), street dancing and arena dancing competitions, sports events, health and fitness, float parade, cultural presentations, entertainment, grand parade, exhibits, fashion shows, e-sports, concerts, and fireworks display.
How to reach Candoni City, Negros Occidental
Candoni City is located in the southwestern portion of Negros Island, it is about three to four hours away from Bacolod Airport.
References
- A.V. del Carmen. Sinulog starts southern festivals. Negros Now Daily. January 8, 2024. Retrieved February 20, 2024
- Siyam na grupo, nagpasiklaban sa performance sa Dinagyaw Sa Tablas Festival 2024. GMA Regional TV. February 14, 2024. Retrieved February 21, 2024
- Executive Order No. 314, s. 1958. Official Gazette of the Philippines. Retrieved February 21, 2024
Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival Summary
Name Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival Celebration Culture, Religion Church Our Lady of Lourdes Church Contact 0917 115 9145 Country Philippines Date February 11 Email mayorsoffice1011@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com Founder Mayor Manzano Location Candoni City, Negros Occidental Organizer City Government of Candoni Patron Our Lady of Lourdes Previous Name Pabalhas sa Tablas Religion Roman Catholic
| Name | Dinagyaw sa Tablas Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion |
| Church | Our Lady of Lourdes Church |
| Contact | 0917 115 9145 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | February 11 |
| mayorsoffice1011@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Founder | Mayor Manzano |
| Location | Candoni City, Negros Occidental |
| Organizer | City Government of Candoni |
| Patron | Our Lady of Lourdes |
| Previous Name | Pabalhas sa Tablas |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |