ANTIQUE – The unveiling of the ultra-size statues of 10 Bornean datus (chieftains) will be the highlight of Antique’s month-long Binirayan Festival which opens today.
The festival commemorates the legend of the arrival of the 10 datus on the island of Aninipay, now known as Panay.
“The statues of the 10 Bornean datus will serve as visual representations of the Antiqueños’ noble race,” said Juan Carlos Perlas, Antique provincial tourism officer.
The unveiling is set on Dec. 19.
On July 13, the initial five statues of Datus Sumakwel, Bangkaya, Dumalugdog, Lubay, and Puti were transported to the Malandog Esplanade in Hamtic town, where the sculptures will be installed.
The provincial government commissioned artist John Alaban to create the sculptors.
The town is still waiting for the arrival of the statues of Datus Paiburong, Dumangsil, Balensusa, Paduhinogan, and Dumangsol.
The municipality was chosen to host the giant statues since it was where the chieftains’ sailboats were believed to have first landed.
Antique Provincial Board member Dante Beriong, Binirayan Festival chairman, said the 10 Bornean datus, who became the first Malay ancestors in the country, established their first settlement in the province during the pre-Hispanic period.
“The 10 Bornean datus left Borneo away from their tyrannical ruler in search for peace and prosperity,” Beriong said.
“Although we lack written evidence about the first Malay settlement there are oral stories that had been handed down to generations,” he said.
He said there are still family names such as Paduhinog and Bangcaya to support the claim about the arrival of the datus in Antique.
Meanwhile, today’s festival opening will have several events including the switching of the Christmas lights at the EBJ Freedom Park and, agricultural trade fair and Binirayan Turismo.
The Search for Miss Antique or Lin-ay kang Antique will be on Dec. 20 while the Malay Ati Competition or the tribe contest will be on Dec. 21, which will also be the last day of the provincial festival. (PNA)/PN
