Hinatdan Festival is a cultural and religious festival in the town of Ginatilan, Cebu, Philippines every second week of March. It celebrates the unique culture, tradition, and people of the Ginatilan as well as expresses devotion to the town’s patron, St. Gregory the Great.
Ginatilan Festival is one of the participating cultural fests in Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
History
For years, the town of Ginatilan conducted the Hinatdan Festival. Hinatdan Festival came from the word hatod (to bring) and hinatdan means one that receives something by routine or whose belongings are sent to on a regular basis.
A lore goes that Hinatdan was the old name of the town. During colonial period, it was renamed Ginatilan by the Spaniards who had difficulty pronouncing its native name.
A priest from Samboan Parish visited the chapel in Ginatilan to preach the Holy Scriptures, convert the people to Catholic faith, and perform sacraments such as the Holy Eucharist. The chapel lacked many of the things required for the services such as liturgical vestments, and at times the priest stayed longer in the chapel. His belongings and items for religious services he needed were brought from Samboan Parish to the chapel. So the town was called Hinatdan, a place where things were delivered to from Samboan.
In 2024, the official Facebook account of the local government unit posted a calendar of activities of the town festival with the new name, “Ginatilan Festival.”
Devotion to St. Gregory the Great
Ginatilan Festival is also a religious fiesta of St. Gregory the Great, also called San Gregorio Magno by the locals. He is the patron saint of the municipality of Ginatilan, and his feast day, as held by the town, is his death anniversary every March 12.
Augustinian missionaries first came to the settlement, and its town was organized on February 2, 1829. Its church began as a visita of the nearby parish of Samboan. On October 5, 1847, Ginatilan seceded from Samboan and became an independent parish through a diocesan decree, which was granted through Superior Approval in August 9, 1847.
Placed under the advocation of St. Gregory the Great, its stone church was built between 1854 and 1866.
Ginatilan Festival Activities
Activities of the festivity include participation of various organizations and institutions such as schools, colleges, and teachers. There are also cultural shows, disco, live band, concerts, ball room, talent shows, and beauty pageant (Miss Ginatilan).
How to reach Ginatilan, Cebu
From Mactan International Airport, take a ride to South Bus Terminal. Next, get on a bus trip to Ginatilan via Cebu-Barili route.
References
- Hello Ginatilons and friends! Municipality of Ginatilan. February 23, 2024. Retrieved February 28, 2024
- History of Ginatilan. Ginatilan Cebu. Retrieved February 28, 2024
- Clarence Paul Oaminal. Ginatilan, Cebu. The Freeman. July 6, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2024
Ginatilan Festival Summary
Name Ginatilan Festival Celebration Culture, Religion Church San Gregorio Magno Parish Church Country Philippines Date Second week of March Email lgu_ginatilan@yahoo.com.ph Facebook www.facebook.com Instagram www.instagram.com Location Ginatilan, Cebu Organizer Municipal Government of Ginatilan Patron St. Gregory the Great Previous Name Hinatdan Festival Website ginatilancebu.appspot.com
| Name | Ginatilan Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion |
| Church | San Gregorio Magno Parish Church |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | Second week of March |
| lgu_ginatilan@yahoo.com.ph | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| www.instagram.com | |
| Location | Ginatilan, Cebu |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Ginatilan |
| Patron | St. Gregory the Great |
| Previous Name | Hinatdan Festival |
| Website | ginatilancebu.appspot.com |