<%@ Language=JavaScript %> Kahilwayan Festival
 

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.

 

Copyright © 2002 Municipal Government of Santa Barbara