Laua-an celebrates "Pahinis" Festival (an article)

by JP Magno 

San Jose, Antique (9 February) -- The municipality of Laua-an launched "Pahinis" Festival recently in commemoration of its 91st foundation anniversary.
Mayor Aser S. Baladjay said that the grand historic affair united Lauan-ons as one people enriching its identity and remembering the historic deeds of those who worked and died for the freedom and independence of today's generation.
Laua-an became an independent municipality in January 1915 by virtue of Executive order No. 129 of then Gen. Francis Burton Harrison. It is the 12th municipality of the province during the Filipino-American regime.
Located in north-central town of the province, 55 kilometers from the capital town of San Jose, Laua-an is the leading producer of muscovado sugar (brown sugar). Muscovado sugar is a major industry in the municipality with big number of sugar mills exist since the 19th century. Laua-an is also a home of sugar migrant workers in the sugar land of Negros Occidental and other parts of the country.
"Pahinis" Festival derived its significance from the Muscovado sugar as a promising industry in the town of Laua-an. "Pahinis" is a local term for cleaning and preparing equipment, tools, paraphernalia and materials before the production of brown sugar. It also stages ritual or thanksgiving for a bountiful sugarcane harvest.
This year's theme is "Paghanduraw kang Nagriligad, Tulay sa Paghiriugyon sa Pag-ugwad (Reminiscing the past, a Bridge for Unity and Progress). The theme goes with the call of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for Filipino people to unite and move forward as one nation.
Thousands of spectators witnessed the historic launching of "Pahinis" festival with Governor Salvacion Z. Perez as guest of honor. Various activities were conducted such as unveiling of municipal landmark, slideshow of the town's history and profile, launching of municipal theme song, Ati-ati tribe competition and other cultural and sports activities.
"Pahinis" festival is not only reflection of a glorious past but a visualization of a more progressive municipality of Laua-an. (Laua-an/PIA)


Source:http://archives.pia.gov.ph