By Felipe V. Celino
ROXAS CITY, Capiz – The municipality of Dumarao was declared champion in the Capiztahan 2025 Maragtas sang Capisnon Cultural Parade and Dance Drama held Saturday afternoon, April 5, at Pueblo de Panay in Roxas City.
Dumarao’s winning presentation featured “Pagpakigsumpong: The Guerilla Resistance of Capiz and the Fall of Terasaki, ‘Terror of Panay’ (1942–1945),” which depicted the Capisnons’ courageous stand against Terasaki’s reign of terror, inspired by the leadership of the 64th Infantry Combat Team.
The town of Mambusao, represented by Capiz State University-Mambusao campus, was named first runner-up.
Dumalag placed second runner-up, followed by Dao as third runner-up and Roxas City as fourth runner-up.
The Maragtas sang Capisnon Historical Parade and Dance Drama reintroduced the province’s pre-colonial, colonial and post-colonial narratives.
It featured a three-part performance structure highlighting the sugidanun (epic), sugilanon (folktale) and maragtas(history), conceptualized by dramaturg and history consultant Dr. Vicente C. Villan.
Capiztahan 2025, held from April 1 to 6 and on April 15, commemorates the province’s 124th founding anniversary with a showcase of local culture and rich heritage.
Before its official opening on April 1, the provincial government unveiled a lineup of activities, including cultural shows, entrepreneurship events, sports competitions, musical performances, and agricultural and food displays.
A key highlight on opening day was Saot Capiz: A Capisnon Folk Dance Competition held in front of the provincial capitol.
Now on its fifth year, the competition featured 17 locally published folk dances researched by Jose Balcena, Crisostomo Barrera, Caster Capunan, Nydia Punsalan and Petronila Suarez.
In 2023, Saot Capiz was named first runner-up for Best Program for Culture and the Arts at the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines–Department of Tourism (ATOP-DOT) Pearl Awards.
The Hangaway kag Lin-ay sang Capiz grand coronation took place on April 3 at the Villareal Stadium’s Capiz Gymnasium.
Joseph Gabriel C. Carillo of Sigma and Jeriane Mae F. Bajada of Dao were crowned as titleholders.
Other featured events included the Farmers’ Market, sTreat Party, Negosyo Capizeño Trade Fair, Jambayan sang Maragtas Street Food Market, job fair, football tournament, Surumbaw Seafood Fest, pyromusical show, Kapuso Night and a torch parade.
On April 15, a thanksgiving mass will be held at 8 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral in celebration of the 124th Founding Anniversary of the Civil Government of the Province of Capiz.
This will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony commemorating the 77th death anniversary of former President Manuel A. Roxas at his monument to honor his leadership and service to the province and the nation.
In 2024, Capiztahan was named first runner-up for Best Cultural Festival (provincial category) at the ATOP-DOT Pearl Awards.
