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Cebu

Haladaya Festival

Haladaya Festival is a cultural festival in the town Daanbantayan, Cebu, Philippines every August 30. It is also a religious celebration of the annual fiesta of St. Rose of Lima, the patroness of the town.

The fest is one of the contingents for the Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.

Etymology

Haladaya Festival is a portmanteau of the words halad, which means offering or tribute, and Daya, the name of an ancestor called Datu Daya and the precolonial name of the town. Before the arrival of the Spanish colonizers, Daanbantayan was called Kandaya, which translates to “one owned by Daya” or one which “belongs to Daya”.

The festival’s name, thus, is an offering to Datu Daya. The festival reflects this origin through cultural dances, costumes, and performances that depict his heroic defense.

History of Kandaya Festival

According to a local folklore, Datu Daya was a legendary chieftain known for his bravery and unwavering courage. The coastal community of the natives during his time suffered from the onslaughts of Moro pirates.

As a fearless warrior, he fought against the pirates who frequently invaded the settlement. He led the initiative of erecting a watchtower, also called in ancient language “bantayan sa hari“, in the vicinity of Tapilon.

With his leadership and the successful defense of the town, the pirates steered clear from the surrounding waters and the people were spared from further attacks. His triumphs in repelling the attacks brought stability and safety to the town.

Afterwards, another watchtower was built as part of the defense system. The original watch tower was then called daang bantayan, meaning the old watchtower. Later, Kandaya was renamed Daanbantayan.

Haladaya Festival was launched by then municipal mayor Maria Luisa Loot. It is unclear when it was first launched with the sources claiming it began in 2003 or 2004. The festival was inspired by Sinulog Festival and its stated goal was to attract tourism to the town. Its original schedule began on Easter Sunday and the festivity lasted for a week.

During the mayoral term of Sun Shimura, the schedule of the festival was moved from Easter to August 30 to coincide with the feast of the town’s patroness, Santa Rosa de Lima. Since then, the first day of the fest began every August 21st and culminating activities are held on August 30th.

Devotion to St. Rose of Lima

Christian missionaries established a church in Daanbantayan. It was a visita of the parish of Bantayan for most of its colonial history. Afterwards, it separated from Bantayan Parish on August 10, 1858 through the Superior Approval that was passed on April 25, 1855.

Its old stone church was built through a grant from the King of Spain in the 19th century during the time of Fr. Feliciano Torres. Built by forced labor, its facade still bears the name of the Spanish priest.

Kandaya Festival Activities

Activities for the Kandaya Festival encompassed religious services, such as novena prayers and mass, and secular events through street dancing competitions and ritual showdown. Its calendar includes a dance competition, a much-awaited spectacle that reenacts the battles of Datu Daya. Contingents wear Moro-inspired costume and depict ethnic, local, Christian, and Islamic themes into the celebration.

Kandaya Festival has attracted many visitors to the town. It has also grown to symbolize local pride, culture, legend, history, thanksgiving, and artistic creativity of Daanbantayan. Moreover, it represents the town’s resilience from natural disasters, especially when it was mounted by the local government in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda November 2013.

How to reach Daanbantayan, Cebu

From Mactan International Airport, take a ride to North Bus Terminal. Then take a bus to the northern town of Daanbantayan.

References

Haladaya Festival Summary

NameHaladaya Festival
CelebrationCulture, Religion
ChurchSanta Rosa de Lima Parish
Contact0919 814 4506
CountryPhilippines
DateAugust 30
Duration1 week
Emailofficeofthemayor.db@gmail.com
Established2004
Facebookwww.facebook.com
FounderMaria Luisa Loot
LocationDaanbantayan, Cebu
OrganizerLocal Government of Daanbantayan
PatronSt. Rose of Lima
ReligionRoman Catholic
Websitedaanbantayan.gov.ph