Text and photos by: Bombette G. Marin
CALINOG, ILOILO is one of the municipalities that is well known for its unique annual festival celebration. The annual Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival celebrated this year on January 25 – Feb 3, 2019 celebrates the legendary epic of Hinilawod where the indigenous culture of Panay Bukidnons or the Sulodnons are brought into the presentations, keeping them alive and relevant to the locals.
The religious celebration of Hirinugyaw and the traditional presentation of the Suguidanon on Feb 3 at 9 a.m. are a great way to experience the real Calinog, and here you will find people of all ages and culture taking part in the festivity.
The folkloric tales in Hinilawod have been passed down from one generation to the next through Suguidanon or chants. It is an epic poem of 29,000 verses and takes about three days to chant in its original form.
It is also a very important source of information about the culture, religion and rituals of the ancient people of the Sulodnons. It is in this festival presentation segment where elements of ancient customs are showcased, with dozens of figures within the Suludnon folklore and their tales are brought to life through chapter presentations each year.
erformances are a combination of chanting, dramatizations and dances.
Saints that have existed through the ages have also left their mark on the folklore of the Ilonggos. The Hirinugyaw is a religious-themed segment commemorating and celebrating the arrival of the Sto. Nino de Cebu to Iloilo. This takes place after the Suguidanon presentation and is characterised by brightly-coloured costumes, opulent decorations and thunderous drumbeats. Performances feature colourful processions, orchestras and beautifully decorated hand prop covered with flower petals.
And if you have never attended the Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival before, you can see its schedule here to get an idea of the rich variety of offerings starting January 25 (Friday) Opening Salvo, Holy Mass at 3:00 p.m., Opening of Festival at 4:30 p.m., Presentation of Lighted Sto. Nino at 5:30 p.m., Performance of Tribu Bulalakaw at 6:30 p.m. and Production in Jalaudnon Attire and Talents Night Presentation of the Search for Linghuron kag Hamtong nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao kang Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival 2019;
January 26 (Saturday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Final Screening of Suguidanon Film Festival at 6 p.m., Cultural Show Presentation at 6:30,p.m., Live Band at 9 p.m.;
January 27 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Cultural Show Presentation at 6:30,p.m., Live Band at 9 p.m.
January 28 (Monday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., 6th Linabugan Festival at 7 p.m.; January 29 (Tuesday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Cultural Show at 5 p.m., Live Band at 5 p.m.;
January 30 (Wednesday) Holy Mass at 5:30; Cultural Show Presentation 6:30 p.m.; 2nd Calinog Car Clash at 9 p.m.;
January 31 (Thursday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night for the Search for Linghuron nga Lin-ay kag Ulitao kang Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival 2019, Display of SLP Products at 8 a.m. 5 p.m.; February 1 (Friday) Holy Mass at 5:30 a.m., Coronation Night for the Search for Hamtongnga Lin-ay kag Ulitao kang Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival 2019, Display of SLP Products at 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
February 2 (Saturday) Hoy Mass at 6:30 a.m., Procession of Live Sto. Nino at 7:30 a.m., Display of SLP Products at 8 a.m. 5 p.m., AGAPE at 9 a.m., Sad-Sad sa Kalye at 1 p.m., Tumandok: A Fashion Show of Local Designers at 7 p.m., Nuno sa Punso Band at 9 p.m.;
February 3 (Sunday) Holy Mass at 6 a.m., Tribe Competition at 7:30 a.m., Battle of the Mini Sounds at 1 p.m., Rave Party with Army Band at 2 p.m., Film Showing: Suguidanon Film Festival and Awards Night at 5 p.m., Announcement of Winners at 7 p.m., Fireworks Display at 8 p.m., DJ Mix Club featuring DJ Stanley and Rey Gamol at 9 p.m.
The Hirinugyaw-Suguidanonay Festival is indeed a celebrationof the richness of culture, the sanctity of the traditions, and harmony between people of different culture.
The town of Calinog is 59.3 kilometers away or an hour and twenty-minute drive from Iloilo City. It is in the central portion of Iloilo and is comprised of 59 barangays in a land area measuring 23,280 hectares.
It is bounded in the north by the municipality of Tapaz, Capiz; northeast by the municipality of Bingawan, Iloilo; northeast by the municipality of San Remegio, Antique; south by the town of Lambunao, Iloilo; southeast by the municipality of Due?as, Iloilo and; southwest by the town of Valderama, Antique.
To get to Calinog, buses run daily from the Terminal in Robinsons Pavia, Barangay Ungka-II, Pavia, Iloilo.
