“Festival of Life” caps 2009 Siquijor Day celebration

By Rizalie Anding Calibo

Siquijor (17 August) — Araw ng Siquijor 2009, the province’s premier celebration will be celebrated quite meaningfully this year.

Of course, still counting the pomp and pageantry of the previous celebrations, this time, a “Festival of Life” will make it more relevant to the call of the times – to brace for the impact of the global economic crisis.

“The Governor wants to design a “Festival of Livelihood” to cap every aspect of living that the Siquijodnons have to be equipped in terms of the general welfare,” says SP member Arturo Pacatang in a meeting for the Siquijor Day 2009 celebration recently.

To carry the theme, “Festival of Life: Enhancing our Indigenous Livelihood Capabilities,” the event will feature livelihood activities like loom weaving, rock salt making, sugar making, bamboo craft, sinamay/maguey weaving and other indigenous livelihood activities in the province.

It will also be a showcase of the government’s effort to help improve the people’s economic status and uplift their financial condition by bringing the needed services to the people.

“We will engineer a festival that will not only enliven our culture but more importantly open avenues for more livelihood opportunities to lift up the Siquijodnon towards improved life, ” also says Provincial Planning and Development Officer Glady’s F. Estrallada in her letter soliciting various support to the activity.

Thanking the participants for helping the province draft plans for the big celebration, Provincial Governor Orlando A. Fua Jr. believes this year’s celebration would really have great impact on the Siquijodnon’s past and future activities.

The governor instructed to make a week-long celebration so that “we can impact on the business activities,” he said.

He assured he has made orders to expedite the completion of several infrastructures especially those that will be used during the Siquijor Day.

The whole celebration will be kicked off with a sport opening on September 4, 2009 at San Juan, Siquijor that will be highlighted with a dance sport right after the parade.

Games to be played are volleyball men and women (inter-agency and inter-municipality); boxing, tennis, billiard, basketball, badminton, and dance sports.

Agro-trade Fair and Exhibit will be from September 14 to 16 which will also be highlighted with Festival Presentations, Festival of Life and live band performances every night and Fireworks Display.

A Beauty Pageant will also be taken care of the Siquijor State College (SSC).

Gov. Fua also announced that the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) meeting will also be held in Siquijor on September 15 with RPOC Chair and Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia coming to the island.

Secretary Ronaldo Puno of the Department of the Interior and Local Government is likely to be one of distinguished guest during the event, the governor announced.

The grand day (September 17) will be started with a Holy Mass to be followed with a Grand Parade. Within the day is also the Awarding of Prizes and Fiesta sa Kapitolyo. (PIA)