Wednesday, May 14, 2008 1st Balbag festival kicks off
THE municipality of Binalbagan, one of the oldest towns in the country, is celebrating its 436th founding anniversary and annual patron town fiesta from May 8 to 15 with the theme "Binalbagan 2008: A golden opportunity for unity and progress."
This year's celebration is significant because of the launching of the 1st Balbagan Festival. It was conceptualized based on the town's two folkloric legends: 'Balbag' and 'Binalabagan'.
It is said that the town's forefathers used to pound shrimps as a means of livelihood. Balbag refers to the movement and sound derived from this act of pounding.
The lore tells of a huge snake, which blocked the main road of the old town, thus the name Binalabagan that means "snaked through."
The 1st Balbagan Festival will feature original music, choreography, and costumes, which evolved from the sounds of Balbag and the movements of the snake.
The festival's figurehead is the golden unity serpent, whose 30-foot mascot can be found at the town plaza.
Activities
The "Pasidungog sa Mangunguma" agro trade fair kicked off last May 8. There were also activities like the 1st Alejandro Y. Mirasol BMX bike motorcade, social welfare day, employees' night, SK day, a concert party by the market vendors' association and a pop and Latin dance competition.
On May 13, the grand finals of the "Gintong Tinig" open category will be held. A street party sponsored by San Miguel Corp. on May 14 will feature bands along the poblacion area.
Highlight of the festival will be a street dancing competition on May 15 to be capped with a spectacular fireworks display.
Music, dance
The Balbagan Festival celebrates both historical and folkloric origin of Binalbagan through music and dance.
The rhythm of the pounding of the bass drums, bamboo tultugan and bamboo sticks provide the appropriate beat reminiscent of the balbag ritual. The shakers produce the sound similar to the hissing of snakes.
The choreography follows seven basic movements that replicate the movements of snakes.
Dancers are either clad in fabric or body-painted in red, orange, yellow, green and blue -- the colors of snakes. Innovative and colorful accessories and headdresses accented with gold are worn to further carry the theme of the snake.
The festival is celebrated every 15th day of May as the highlight of the annual town fiesta celebration. It is celebrated with a street dance around the poblacion streets. Dancers make a stopover at stations to do their dance rituals. Highlight of the festival is the golden serpent of unity representing the Binalbageños' aspiration for peace, harmony and prosperity.
The highlight of the street dancing is the final presentation at the Mayor Pedro T. Yulo III Sports and Cultural Center.
