This week’s milestones: Aug. 9 to Aug. 15

Aug. 11, 2012

Ilagan was officially converted from a municipality into a component city of the province of Isabela following a plebiscite that ratified Republic Act No. 10169, which was signed into law by then President Benigno Aquino III on June 21, 2012. As the capital of Isabela, Ilagan is now a first-class city with a total population of 164,020, based on the 2024 Census. Covering 1,166.26 square kilometers, it is the fourth largest city in the Philippines in terms of land area, with 31 percent of it devoted to agriculture. Its predominantly agricultural economy has earned Ilagan the distinction of being the country’s “corn capital” since 2015. The city is also home to the world’s largest wooden lounge chair, locally known as the “butaka.”

Aug. 13, 2009

The National Historical Institute installed the historical marker, “Carcel de Cebu,” in Cebu City. Built of coral stone and designed by Domingo Escondrillas, the buildings served as the district prison of the Visayas in 1870. Second floors were added to some of the buildings when it became the Cebu Provincial Jail during the American colonial period. Between 1946 and 1976, the front buildings were used as the Cebu City Jail. It later became the Cebu Provincial Detention from 1976 until its transfer to a larger facility in Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City, in 2004. Four years later, it was inaugurated as Museo Sugbo, the provincial museum of Cebu, in 2008.

This week’s festivals

Pavvurulun Afi Festival (Aug. 8 to Aug. 17)

The Pavvurulun Afi Festival commemorates the feast of St. Hyacinth of Poland, the patron saint of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and serves as an expression of gratitude for the city’s blessings and abundance. “Pavvurulun” is the Ibanag and Southern Itawit term for “fellowship” or “togetherness,” while “Afi,” which means “fire,” represents the historical and cultural significance of fire in the local way of life. This year’s celebration features a foot parade, pansit festival, food and trade fair, concert, fireworks displays, “Tugsayaw,” and other vibrant and fun activities that highlight Tuguegarao’s culture and community spirit.

Coron Festival (Aug. 7 to Aug. 30)

The Coron Festival is an annual festivity in Tiwi, Albay that recognizes and promotes the town’s rich culture of pottery-making. It is also held in observance of the feasts of St. Lawrence the Martyr and the diocese patroness, Our Lady of Salvation. This year’s festival marks its 20th edition and coincides with another milestone: Tiwi’s 250th township anniversary. To commemorate the occasion, a ceremonial unveiling of four important cultural property markers for the Old Escuela Building, St. Lawrence the Martyr Parish, Sinimbahanan Ruins and Our Lady of Salvation Parish & Diocesan Shrine will take place on August 7. The celebration also features parades, fireworks display, a street dance exhibition, agri-fair booths, a beauty pageant and various cultural and community events.

Dana Gracielle Quirante, Inquirer Research, Sources: elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph, cityofilagan.com, psa.gov.ph, blgf.gov.ph, provinceofisabela.gov.ph, nhcphistoricsites.blogspot.com, cbcpnews.net, pna.gov.ph, mirror.pia.gov.ph; MyCity Ilagan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Municipality of Tiwi and LGU Tuguegarao City Official Facebook pages