By Divine Joy Daliva and Irish Ann Consolacion
To preserve the cultural traditions and express the communal identity of the province, the Capiz Provincial Government, through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, conducted the Saot Capiz: Capisnon Folk Dance Competition, held at the Capiz Provincial Capitol front area on Sunday, April 14.
Saot Capiz is one of the highlights of the Capiztahan Festival 2024, which celebrates and honors the beauty of the Capiz traditions and the unity of Capisnon under the visionary leadership of Governor Fredenil H. Casto.
“Today, we are gathered with three souls (nagaululupod kita sang tatlo ka kalag). These are the souls of the past, the soul of the present, and the soul of the future. Kalag sang nagligad, nahanungod nga ang mga maga saot diri karon nga adlaw kag magapakita sang ila abilidad kag kinaagman bilang mga Capiznon. Naga representar sang mga nagliligad nga kung diin aton maagom, kung diin naton mapa nubli ining nga mga salauton. Soul of the present because we are here now, all of us that we could use as present members of our society in the Province of Capiz. We are here also to rendezvous with the future because what we do now is trying to shape the future of our province,” Gov. Castro emphasized in his welcoming remarks.
The competition featured countryside and western-influenced Capiz folkdances performed by 17 municipalities, including the municipalities of Roxas, Cuartero, Dao, Dumalag, Dumarao, Ivisan, Jamindan, Maayon, Mambusao, Panay, Panitan, Pilar, Pontevedra, President Roxas, Sapian, Sigma, and Tapaz.
Bearing the concept of ‘Inilusan Folkdance’, the Municipality of Roxas nailed the countryside folkdance category as it ranked first and was announced as best in costume; it was then followed by the municipalities of Dumarao and Jamindan.
Conversely, the Municipality of Ivisan triumphs in the western folkdance category with their performance of 'Binhi Folkdance', earning them first place, while the municipality of Mambusao, which was awarded as best in costume, and the municipality of Dumalag follow closely behind.
Trophies and cash awards were given to the winners, and consolation prizes for the rest of the municipalities participated.