“Bayanihan” is the Focus of Hil-O-Hanay Festival

HIL-O-HANAY FESTIVAL

Photo from: http://captivatingcapiznians.blogspot.com/

The Hil-O-Hanay Festival is celebrated by Sigmahanon in order to portray their simple way of life since olden time. “Hil-O” is a Sigmahanon term which means to reciprocate. In past times when farming was mainly dependent on manual labor and wher5e no farm machinery was yet in existence. Sigmahanon farmers traditionally come to the aid of one another in preparing the fields, planting their crops, harvesting, threshing, winnowing, gathering and back to the field preparation in a cycle of communal sharing and fraternity. Read More: https://sigmacapizmunicipality.jimdo.com/

CONTACT:

Mayor Maria T. Andaya
Municipality of Sigma, Capiz
Tel. No. (036) 6470-444/ 6470-231

Info from: http://www.capiz.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=48&Itemid=72

Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tisoi/2268398040

Pailig it lantay, or parade of raft in the river, celebrating the spirit of bayahanihan and simply celebrating the abundant life in the countryside are the essence of the Hil-o-hanay festival of the Municapality of Sigma.

Although it has been a traditional way, the Hil-o-hanay festival, which means reciprocation, is manifested by the bayanihan spirit. It is coincided with the feast of Sigma’s patron saint, John the Baptist every June.

In the past, when farming was still made by hand, farmers depended on one another to accomplish their planting, harvesting, winnowing, and threshing of the crop. When the cycle is ended, farmers and their families gathered and shared their crops and products with one another.

The festival had its humble beginning when it was established in 1990. Back then, it was almost unknown except in Capiz. But since 2001, Hil-o-anay festival began to make news and continuously progressed to one of the region’s most awaited events. Read More: http://capizportal.blogspot.com/2009/02/captivating-capiz-festivals.html

A manifestation of culture inherent to Sigma as a cultural expression of symbiosis. It is the way showing this rich cultural tradition to the younger generation in order to let the Hil-o hanay spirit continue with passion. It gives honor to the noblest and highest virtue of “community-ness” of its people, their innate and common traits that keep the balance of their relationship with one another, their environment and their God, the crowning glory that fires their initiative to constant becoming – their search for culture of excellence. Read More: https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/The-Spectacular-Festivals-of-Capiz

Photos below from: https://www.facebook.com/HilOHanay/