Kasadyahan sa Capiz: Guyum-Guyuman Festival of Pontevedra, Capiz

DAHLINGS, summer isn’t summer without a colorful fiesta to celebrate! One of the most festive celebrations Your Pagemaker attended was the 4th Guyum-guyuman Festivalof the Municipality of Pontevedra in my home province, Capiz.

Though it started as Balintawakan Festival in 1988, it was renamed Guyum-guyuman Festival in 2008 to depict the way of life of the inhabitants of this town formerly called “Caguyuman.” This literally means "anthill" because many people from neighboring municipalities came to the area like a swarm of ants for commerce and trade. Barter trading is still practiced in the municipality during Market days. And mind you dahlings, the town of Pontevedra is home to some of the widest coastal fishponds, making it the biggest supplier of the best and high quality fresh seafood fares such as Bangus (milkfish), Lukon (big prawns) and Oysters (talaba) to Manila and abroad!

The town’s annual municipal and religious fiesta last May 8, 2012 was highlighted by a series of events. The most notable ones were the reenactment of Caguyumanons like Barter trading, the exciting Subay sa Suba sang Tinagong Dagat, mangrove rehabilitation-planting activities, awarding of notable outstanding Pontevedrahons citizens and organizations plus the spectacular Guyum-guyuman tribal streetdancing.

One of the most memorable events was the beauty pageant, the search for the Kaguyuman Festival Queen and the grand coronation of the town’s ambassadress of Goodwill, the Pontevedra Fiesta Queen 2012.Capping the memorable festival was the high booming speakers around the town streets blasting disco hits all night and promoting merrymaking with fiesta revelers dancing in celebration.

The festival was approved by Mayor Esteban Jose Contreras, MD., on February 26, 2008 and was launched on May 6, 2008.