lagawan.info

I was born in St. Joseph Hospital in Central Manapla Negros Occidental and I grew up in Bacolod, but since my parents live in Manapla I frequently visit  them while growing up but sad to say I’ve never been to the towns festival. Actually, I only learned about the festival a few years ago in Panaad Sa Negros.  Well, last August 16 I was able to witness and celebrate for the first time the Manapla’s Manang Pula Festival.

Manang Pula Festival is held every 16th of August in honor of San Roque the town’s patron saint. The festival was called Pinta Puto Festival a couple of years ago but it was change to Manang Pula where the town got its name.  Manang Pula was the wife of the first capitan of Manapla and since the people really like and respect her they named the town in her honor. But the town of Manang Pula was later shortened to Manapla, as what we know of today.

Anyways, I was really amazed of the festival. And I never imagined it to be this big and organized. Well, I’ve been to a lot of festivals here in Negros but Manang Pula Festival is way ahead from some City’s festivals. Well, I just don’t want to mention which is which ok *smiles* If you’ve been following my blog you’ll definitely know it. But I’m not saying that it is as grand as the Masskara or PintaFlores , ok? Well, I think what took me by surprised was the colorful costumes and the props, especially the smelly rattan pieces. It was really funny as we had a comical look in our faces and I was like “What’s that smell?”, then Manong in-charge, who was really a great help to us (sorry I forgot his name) pointed the rattan and told us “yong rattan po yong naaamoy nyo. That’s where they dry the fishes kasi”. And I told my friend “la nila gin hugasan?” (they didn’t wash it?) but I also realized while asking that question that even if they’ll wash it a couple of times the smell will still be there. I mean they’ve been using it for a long time that the smell has already stick in the rattan. But of course, not all of the props were smelly used rattan. I guess, some used it to have a real feeling or ambiance of a fishing village life.

The other thing that I like with the Manang Pula Festival were the people behind it. They were really accommodating and helpful even though we didn’t have media ID’s. Guess what? We were given seats on stage but we declined it and asked for a spot in front of the stage instead to get better photos of the arena dance. Thanks to manong in-charge there’s no need to call my cousin who works in the Municipal Office.

Well, the festival performance was based on the livelihood of the town – fishing, sugarcane, puto (rice cakes), and in honor of the town’s patron saint, San Roque. The street dance was really long and tiring as the assembly area was located I think, 2km more or less away from the plaza. And if you’re in the last group (group 12), well, I imagine 4km away *smiles*uhmm… exagg? The festival song was really good. Thanks to Msgr. Gaston who conceptualized it and for organizing the festival.

The only complain I had was the judging of headdress and costumes which they did during the start of the street dance. I mean, when you said the street dance would start at 2PM, the group assembly should be at 12noon or later as long as by 1:30PM everybody are ready to start at exactly 2PM. So, since the group were already there at 1:30 why did they waited for 2PM to judge the headdress? And isn’t it customary for the group to submit there costumes and headdresses ahead for the judging? Anyways, the crowd waited for atleast another 20 to 30 minutes, on top of the 15 or so minutes delayed(Filipino time), for the judges to finish with the costumes and headdresses of the 12 groups. Well, it was just out of the blue experience and in my opinion they could have done it during the street dance, arena dance or during the parade & presentation of the Baranggay Captains of each group. It would have been easier and comfortable to the judges.

All-in-all Manang Pula Festival was great and worth witnessing. We had a lot of fun and memorable experience, especially since I’m with my long lost friend Emily It was our first time to be on a festival together and she told me “Tynz, la gid ko kabalo na kasadya gli magcover festival noh? It’s my first time to cover an event.” (Tynz, I didn’t know that covering a festival is fun. It’s my first time to cover an event). The streets were filled with tourist both from Manapla and neighboring Cities and Municipalities. The local government of Manapla are really active in promoting the town and they are vying to become a city in the near future. Manapla is slowly progressing. I just hope they’ll promote Manang Pula Festival not only here in the province but also all through out the country and abroad.

*****

Brgy. Purisima, since my brother and his friends wants me to support them as we live there, they  didn’t get any awards. They were good during the street dance but the arena dance was a bit off for me. Well, still good job guys!  And I heard you had a better performance this year than the previous one. Maybe next year you can make it *crossing fingers*

To Brgy. Teresa (Eric special mention gid ni ya), great job guys! We may not be the 2011 Manang Pula Festival streetdance winner still you gave your best shot and had fun. Well, it’s only sad to know that Teresa didn’t even made it to the top 3 even though you won all the special awards. I’m still wondering until know how they tallied the scoresheets. Hays! Good luck next year guys!