Are you ready for another day filled with fun, festivities, and cultural learning? Well, if you haven’t gotten over the Dinagyang feels yet, you can head on over to one of Iloilo’s first class municipalities in the province. Salakayan Festival in Miagao, Iloilo 2019 is happening this Saturday, February 9, 2019.
All About Salakayan Festival in Miagao, Iloilo
Celebrated annually during the first week of February, the prosperous town of Miagao hold a festival in honor of a historical battle in the bowels of Ilonggo history.
Salakayan is a term that originated from its root word, salakay — which means, to attack. It’s a dance-drama presentation that commemorates a battle between the Miagaowanons and the Muslim pirates that wiped out many of the Christian coastal towns in the area. Miagao’s victory happened in 1754.
As a day of celebrating culture and hundreds of years of heritage, the Salakayan Festival in Miagao, Iloilo 2019 is also all about exalting the bravery of the Miagaowanons. It’s one of the most anticipated festivals in the province of Iloilo, where members of the community gather together and revel with dancing, music, food, and entertaining parades.
Salakayan Festival in Miagao, Iloilo Happening This Saturday
This year’s Salakayan Festival theme is: “Panghangkat sa mga Pamatan-on Padulong sa Paghili-usa sa Sining Panahon.”
In fact, the cultural activities have already begun back on February 3, last Sunday. But if you didn’t catch wind of this grand event beforehand, well, now you do. And today, there is a Higante Contest and a Liga Night. Tomorrow’s schedule — February 8, Friday — consists of the:
- Mass and Fluvial Parade – 8:00 AM
- Games at Sea – 10:30 AM
- Cavalcade of Dances – 2:00 PM
- One Night in Unity for Children – 7:00 PM.
The following morning, February 9, Saturday, brings in the highlight of the week-long celebration. It consists of:
- Tribe Competition – 8:00 AM
- Float Parade – 2:00 PM
- Tribe’s Night – 7:00 PM
Sunday, February 10, marks the end of the festivities…
And on that note,
Looking for things to do this weekend?
It’s not yet too late to join the fun at the Salakayan Festival in Miagao. You’ve got two more days of relentless enjoyment to anticipate.
So go ahead and jump on the next jeepney ride to whisk you away to a historical event that marks a great victory for the town of Miagao and its people.
But if you’re not the type to join in on the revelry, there are still plenty of things to do in Iloilo City. Want to know what they are? Check out more of Iloilo Blog’s articles.
Header Image credits:
- Miagao Church by Raine Medina
- Dancing men via Veracityonline
- Dancers via mybeautifulILOILO
