This week’s milestones: May 24 to May 30

May 24, 2011

The “Lumang Bayan ng Dapitan” in Zamboanga del Norte was declared as a heritage zone or historic center by virtue of National Historical Commission of the Philippines Board Resolution No. 3, s. 2011. Recognized as one of Northern Mindanao’s oldest settlements and the site where Jose Rizal spent his four-year exile, the district is home to several historic sites and structures, including the Rizal National Shrine, Dapitan Plaza and Rizal’s Relief Map of Mindanao. The “Lumang Bayan ng Dapitan” marker was later unveiled on July 17, 2011, at Lawaan Rotunda in Dapitan, indicating that the immovable cultural property has been identified as a national cultural treasure and national historical landmark. It also serves as a demarcation point to geographically divide Old Dapitan from New Dapitan.

READ: Fire engulfs Dapitan City-bound ferry

May 27, 1579

Gov. Gen. Francisco de Sande issued a decree establishing Partido de Camarines, a settlement area where Spanish colonists were encouraged to reside. The name “Camarines” was derived from the Spanish word “camarín,” which means granary or rice storehouse, owing to the abundance of such structures in the area, with natives also using “kamalig” for small huts. In 1829, the area was divided into Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte. However, the two were fused anew in 1854 to form the Province of Ambos Camarines, but separated again in 1857 until 1893. The two provinces underwent several fusions, annexations and repartitions, until their final and permanent separation in 1917 through Philippine Legislative Act No. 2711, approved on March 10, 1917. Today, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur are both first-class provinces in the Bicol region. As of the 2024 Census, Camarines Norte has a population of 604,666, while Camarines Sur has 2,063,314 residents.

This week’s festivals

Pahoy-Pahoy Festival (May 1 to May 25)

The Pahoy-Pahoy Festival is an annual thanksgiving celebration in Calbiga, Samar, honoring a good harvest. It also commemorates the local legend of how “pahoy,” or scarecrows, were created to drive away waves of maya birds that threatened to destroy the rice fields and bring famine. One of the festival highlights is the parade of scarecrows dancing to the sounds of bamboo, cans and stones, which were used to deter the birds. This year’s festivities feature an inter-agency “Sul-ot Pinahoy,” where humans dress as scarecrows and various competitions, such as quiz bee, singing contests, modern dance, pickleball, basketball, skateboarding and more. The festival concludes with a procession and pontifical mass for the town fiesta.

Manlambus Festival (May 17 to May 30)

The Manlambus Festival in Escalante, Negros Occidental, is a celebration of the town’s traditional fishing technique, which involves the use of a “lambus” or club. The town was formerly called, “Manlambus,” a Visayan term meaning to strike with a club, because its coastal waters were once so abundant with fish that they could easily be caught using this method. To portray this lively fishing tradition, the festival features the Manlambus dance, a playful and energetic performance that depicts fishermen jumping, leaping, and hopping in rhythm. Now in its 28th year, the festival carries the theme “Manlambus 28: Simple Vibes, Strong City” and features a vibrant line-up of activities, including a parade, night market, beauty pageant, sports events, various competitions and other community celebrations. Prefestival activities began on May 17, while the festival proper will be celebrated from May 27 to May 30.

Dana Gracielle Quirante, Inquirer Research, Sources: Inquirer Archives, philhistoricsites.nhcp.gov.ph, talapamana.ncca.gov.ph, blgf.gov.ph, psa.gov.ph, camarinessur.gov.ph, ombudsman.gov.ph, elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph, escalantecity.gov.ph; Camarines Norte Provincial Information Office, Local Government Unit of Laak, Calbiga Municipal Tourism Office, Municipality of Calbiga, Escalante City Tourism, Department of Tourism-Western Visayas Office Facebook pages