It’s one festival that celebrates not a religion but fetes bravery and heroism.
While Emilio Aguinaldo had already declared Philippine independence in Kawit, Cavite in 1898, the Ilonggos down south were still up in arms. They had their own victory when Gen. Martin Delgado led Ilonggos against the Spanish troops in what would eventually be commemorated as the Cry of Santa Barbara.
Six years ago, on its 103rd year, Cry of Santa Barbara took an even more festive twist when the municipal tourism council launched the Kahilwayan Festival, to showcase a dance-drama form that depicts the historic uprising of the Ilonggos against Spain, leading to their ultimate victory and freedom. Kahilwayan is an Ilonggo/Hiligaynon term for ‘’freedom’’ or ‘’independence.’’
"Our dancers are required to dress up in period costumes, to honor the soldiers that fought and died for the freedom the Ilonggos are enjoying today, and to bequeath this historical legacy to succeeding generations of Ilonggos," says Joan Paulette Libo-on, theater consultant of the Kahilwayan Festival.
Thus, hundreds of students that join the festivities are decked out in colorful period costumes like rayadillo, saya, kimona, and kamisa chino to perform their streetdance cum street-theater routine to the tune of Marcha Linertador. The march is another important piece of history, as it was the official march of the Ejercito Libertador (the Ilonggo freedom fighters), composed by Posidio Delgado, brother of Gen. Martin Delgado.
The highlight of the festival, however, is the presentation of the events leading to the Cry of Santa Barbara, from the transportation of the saber and flag to Santa Barbara by Lt. Honorio Solinap and Tia Patron Gamboa to the first raising of the Philippine flag outside Luzon.
Julius Sollesta, a choreographer for the Kahilwayan Festival notes, "Our festival dance is not just a choreography of movements; it depicts an important story as well."
Award-winning
Despite being relatively new, the Kahilwayan Festival is part of the Department of Tourism’s 365 Days Calendar of Events. In 2002, the festival was invited to the Kasadyahan Contest in the 2002 Dinagyang Festival, where it triumphed as champion not only in 2002, but in 2003 and 2004 as well.
The Kahilwayan Festival then made its mark in a national competition, bagging 2nd place in the dance parade competition of the Aliwan Fiesta in 2004 and 2005, and emerging as a runner up in Aliwan Fiesta 2006.
This year, the Kahilwayan Festival contingent joins the Aliwan Fiesta again, eager to prove its might among the country’s most spectacular fiestas.
"Our kids are definitely excited to show the public what they can do. They have been working very hard, especially on the acrobatics," says Libo-on, referring to the acrobatic segments of the Kahilwayan performance that the Aliwan crowd looks forward to every year. "The kids climb up on steep ladders and dangle themselves from poles, not minding their scratches, just to prepare a breathtaking performance for the crowd."
Spirited street dancing, swathed in the pomp and color of different regional cultures and traditions, will fill up the streets of Manila this summer as Aliwan Fiesta 2007, the socalled "mother of all festivals’’, ushers in its fifth year on April 26 to 28, along Roxas Blvd.
Aliwan Fiesta ’07, organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), together with the cities of Manila and Pasay, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, brings together thousands of the country’s finest craftsmen, street performers, and homegrown beauties handpicked to compete in the dance parade competition, float competition, and the much-awaited "Reyna ng Aliwan" beauty pageant.
Both local and foreign tourists have witnessed a 25-in-1 festival that showcases dancers from different Philippine festivals such as the Pakalog Festival of Pasig City; Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City; Sambali Cagayana Festival of Cagayan; Bacao Festival of Echague, Isabela; Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan; Paminitan Festival of Rodriguez, Rizal; Boling-Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon; Pili Festival of Sorsogon City; Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City (Ilonganon and Kahilwayan contingents); Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Negros Occidental; Sinulog Festival of Cebu City; Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte; Padul-ong Festival of Borongan, Eastern Samar; Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City; Zamboanga Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City; Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City; Padang-Padang Festival of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan; Kuyog A Sagayan of Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan; Melimud Festival of South Upi, Maguindanao and Kalilintad Festival of Mamasapano, Maguindanao.
A grand parade along Roxas Blvd, will kick off the culmination activities on April 28, starting from Quirino Grandstand and ending in front of Star City, CCP Complex.
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