Mantawi Festival: Never too late for a grand celebration

It was never a problem for the people of Mandaue if they didn’t have a “saulog” they could call their own. After all, they’re just a few kilometers away from Cebu City, home of the world-renowned Sinulog.

According to recent studies, however, Mandaue has reason to celebrate. Mandaue City, according to local historians, used to be an important trading center, being the country’s first dry-docking site for the galleon ships that plied the Cebu-Acapulco route. This fact, say the Mandauehanons, makes them heirs to a rich cultural and historical heritage.

On its 33rd founding anniversary recently, Mandaue veered away from the staid and simple ceremonies that marked its anniversary commemorations in years past. Instead, it celebrated with a grand civic parade, Sinulog style, incorporating dance, music and theater to illustrate the city’s newfound colorful history.

Christened as the “Mantawi Festival,” from the “mantawi” vine that used to abound in Mandaue, the event drew hundreds of schoolkids, aspiring theater actors and actresses, government officials and guests from the private sector to participate in the big “historical” parade, partly sponsored by wireless services provider Smart Communications Inc.

A total of seven huge diorama floats were featured in the grand spectacle, each having a period tableau that chronicled the development of Mandaue, starting from its discovery and glorious port trading with the Chinese and the Spanish up to the creation of the Mandaue South Reclamation Area Seaport.

The entire experience was like watching a well-acted schoolplay on top of a moving truck as floats became theater stages where local artists danced and acted out historical events.

Adding color to the celebration was the street-dancing, participated in by hundreds of students from elementary schools in Mandaue. Unlike Sinulog and Dinagyang festivals that focus on the Sto. Niño, the Mantawi street-dancing took on historical themes. Thus, the audience was treated to an eyeful of street-dancing contingents dressed in Maria Claras, ternos, cheongsams and even bellbottoms of the ‘70s.

A parade of dolls made from papier-maché or “higantes” was also a highlight. About three meters in height, the dolls depicted Mandaue’s famous sons and daughters whose lives and works have given pride and dignity to the city. Like any other guests of honor, these dolls took their place in the grand stage, as if to watch first-hand the unfolding of Mandaue’s development into a city.

“What we want is to rediscover Mandaue’s rich heritage through a historical parade that reflects our history, lifestyle and strength as a city,” said Mandaue Mayor Thadeo Ouano.

“This historical and cultural backdrop will strengthen the city’s present position as a major trade center and port city,” he added.

If that is the case, then this pageantry of songs, drama and dances in honor of Mandaue’s glorious past has certainly taken a major step towards meeting its objective.