This week’s milestones

Aug. 28, 1901

Silliman University (SU) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental was founded through a $10,000 grant from a retired businessman, Dr. Horace B. Silliman, who believed that Filipinos needed a new kind of education—an industrial school. SU began as an institute with 15 students, all boys. Enrollment grew gradually to include students from other Asian countries. In 1912, the institute’s first female student, Pura Blanco, was admitted. Silliman was granted university status in 1938. In 2002, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (then National Historical Institute) designated Silliman University as a national historical landmark for its historical contribution and significance.

Aug. 31, 1829

The Dagohoy Revolt in Bohol ended with the surrender of 20,000 insurgents. Led by Francisco Dagohoy, a native of Bohol, this revolt began in 1744 with 3,000 Boholano rebels. The number of rebels grew to 20,000 over time due to growing discontent among the Spanish colonizers. Dagohoy succeeded in defying the authority of Spain and was the first volunteer to form a core group of the movement, known as the Revolutionary Republic of Dagohoy, an independent government. Even after Dagohoy’s death, probably in 1825, the resistance continued. The Dagohoy Revolt ended in 1829, making it the longest uprising, which lasted for 85 years, recorded in the annals of Philippine history. In honor of Dagohoy, Republic Act. No. 11444 was signed in 2019, declaring July 4 of every year as a special working holiday in Bohol.

THIS WEEK’S FESTIVALS

Manaragat Festival (Aug. 1 to Aug. 31)

The Manaragat Festival is a monthlong festivity held in Catbalogan City, in the province of Samar. Manaragat, a local term for fishermen, is a festive dance characterized by varied movements and steps of the different species of fish and seashells, presented by dancers in exotic and colorful costumes. This festival also honors St. Bartholomew, who locals believe to have maintained the richness of Maqueda Bay as the major fishing ground in Samar. This year’s celebration includes a Thanksgiving Mass, agro-industrial and cultural presentations, different concerts, a beauty pageant, dance competitions and a parade.

Higalaay Festival (Aug. 2 to Aug. 31)

The Higalaay Festival, held in Cagayan de Oro, is a festivity filled with a series of colorful, culturally rich, and fun-filled events culminating on Aug. 28, the feast day of the city’s patron saint, St. Augustine. Formerly known as Kagay-an Festival, the new name of the festival, “Higalaay,” came from the Cebuano word “higala,” which means a friend, chum or pal. Cagayan de Oro is known as the “City of Golden Friendship.” The celebration of Higalaay has grown not only as the customary day of thanksgiving but also as a rallying point for a campaign to promote the city and the surrounding areas globally as an investment and tourism destination.

Compiled by: Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, 2024 Manaragat Festival Facebook Page, Higalaay Festival Facebook Page, pna.gov.ph, cagayandeoro.gov.ph, blgf.gov.ph, lgudanao.gov.ph, nlpdl.nlp.gov.ph, ppdo.bohol.gov.ph, su.edu.ph, mirror.pia.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, coa.gov.ph, philatlas.com