Kahilwayan
it is a cultural festival in a
dance-drama from which will showcase the events that led to the
historic uprising of the Ilonggos against Spain to its ultimate
cry of victory and freedom known to us now as the Cry of Santa
Barbara.
To suit with the occasion, the beat
of “Marcha Libertador” shall be used as background music at any
part of the performance while the raising of the Philippine Flag
that symbolizes freedom.
Hence, the storyline shall revolve
around the circumstances that led to the first flag raising and
cry of triumph in the Visayas region.
The Kahilwayan Festival aims to
depict the story of the Cry of Santa Barbara in a manner which can
bring more color and meaning to the event itself and to draw the
interest not only of the people of Santa Barbara but that of other
places as well. This is one major way also to develop the tourism
industry of the municipality.
For
the first time in the history of the celebration of Cry of Santa
Barbara, the highlight will not focus mainly on the usual
reenactment drama. There would be some modification in the
program so as to add color, pomp, art and excitement to the
celebration because instead of the usual reenactment, the same
would be executed through a dance-drama, and it would be a contest
of interpretation.
To be more exciting, five (5)
newly-nationalized high school were tapped to comprise the
contesting groups, and the same will be sponsored or supported by
identified barangays. Hence, the school which could possibly have
the best interpretation of the series of events that constitute
the Cry of Santa Barbara will emerge as winner.
The Kahilwayan Festival is held
every November 17 at the morning which will commence at the Don
Herminio Maravilla Memorial Recreational and Cultural Center.
Storyline
The story is based on the excerpts
of “Santa Barbara: A National Trunk Site on the Centennial
Freedom Trail” written by then Vice Governor Demy Sonza.
“The dawn broke brightly, promising
a sunny day although it was still within the rainy season. After
sunrise, the members of the Comite Central Revolucionario de
Visayas, who had come from various parts of the province, went to
the parish church to attend the Te Deum. The church was full of
people, among the sayas, kimonas and camisas chinos stood out the
resplendent gala uniforms of several high-ranking officers of the
Ejercito Libertador (Liberating Army).
After the thanksgiving mass, the
leaders of the revolution repaired to the large house of Capitan
Vicente (Tan Cente) Bermejo at the eastern corner of the spacious
plaza. The house was being used as the headquarters of Gen.
Martin Teofilo Delgado, General-en-Jefe of the Ejercito Libertador
and a grandson of the late Bermejo.
In the commodious sala of the house,
an extra-ordinary session of the Comite central Revolucionario de
Visayas was held. The meeting was called for the purpose of
expanding the committee into the into the Gobierno Provisional
Revolucionario de Visayas.
Then came the most dramatic event –
the raising of the Filipino flag. In front of the house of Tan
Cente a freshly cut long bamboo pole was erected to serve the
flagpole. Before the flagpole and extending towards the center of
the plaza a large crowd had gathered even while the officers of
the Revolutionary Government were meeting. A regiment of the
Ejercito Libertador, in rayadillo, was massed immediately in front
of the pole and behind them were hundreds of people who had come
from far and near. A number of people from Cabatuan, Maasin and
Janiuay returned early from the Jaro market and stopped at the
plaza of Santa Barbara to witness the historic event. Dozen of
carriages and bullcarts were parked around the plaza.
Close to the flagpole the Posidio
Delgado Band took its position. Gen. Delgado stepped towards the
flagpole, secured the flag to the string and commanded the troops
to salute. At his signal, the band played the “Marcha Libertador”
and he hauled the flag up. When it reached the top and flew in
the breeze, the crowd broke into a defining cheer that drowned the
last note of the march.
Gen. Delgado gave a brief charge to
his men, exhorting them to fight bravely for it and if necessary
offer their lives for it. Then he led the people shout “Viva
Filipinas! Fuera España! Viva Independencia!
As soon as the din of cheering had
died down, the officials of the government were presented to the
people one by one and each was acclaimed with loud applause and
cheers. |