THE term “sugilanon” is a Hiligaynon word that means “stories,” “tales,” or “to tell stories.” It is also loosely derived from the word “Sugidanon” which refers to the Ten Epics of Panay Island which is the folkloric and legendary anchor of the origins of the island of Panay.
The Sugilanon Festival is celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of the organization of the government of Roxas City – its charter first approved in April 11, 1951.
The term “sugilanon” was chosen as the name of the official civic and tourism festival of the City of Roxas because it effectively embraces the different features that are being celebrated by the city, to include folklore and the fantastical stories that the people share and tell each other, the folk dances which each tell stories of their own, traditional cultural presentations like the “Comparza” and the “Composo,” which are storytelling in the form of dance and song, the city’s cuisine – specifically seafood which embody the story of the main industry of the city – as well as the stories of its people who have their own tales to tell, and of course, the history of Roxas City, in itself is a story worth commemorating.
Sinadya sa Immaculada Concepcion is the official religious fiesta of the Parish of the Immaculate Concepcion is Roxas City and as such, it is a purely religious fiesta. Starting this 2018, Sinadya sa Immaculada Concepcion will only be held for two days – on Dec. 7 (Vespers Day) and Dec. 8 (Feast Day) where only religious activities will be held (fluvial procession, foot procession, masses, etc.) and will be spearheaded by the Immaculate Concepcion Metropolitan Cathedral with supplementary assistance from the Roxas City government.
The Sugilanon Festival, on the other hand, shall be the official civic and tourism celebration of the City of Roxas, to be organized and spearheaded by the city government together with various civic and non-government groups operating within the city. Sugilanon Festival activities are wholly intended to highlight the culture, the arts, the traditions, the history, and the people of the City of Roxas./PN
