(Dec. 24 to Dec. 30)
Dec. 24, 1898
The last Spanish governor-general of the Philippines, Don Diego de los Rios, surrendered Iloilo City in Iloilo province to Visayan revolutionary forces
led by Gen. Martin Delgado. The revolutionary government, called the Federal Republic of the Visayas, was based in Santa Barbara, Iloilo province. De los Rios signed the formal surrender documents before leaving for retirement in Spain.
Manuel L. Quezon was inaugurated on his second term as the second President of the Philippines outside Malinta Tunnel in Corregidor, Cavite province. Quezon and then Vice President Sergio Osmeña took their oath of office before then Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos.
This week’s festivals
(Dec. 24 to Dec. 30)
Pasko sa Sugbo
The monthlong Christmas celebration culminates during the last week of December in Cebu City. The event features a 130-foot Christmas tree called the “Tree of Hope,” symbolizing the optimism and resilience of Cebuanos in the face of calamities and economic challenges. The Christmas tree will be on display until January for the Sinulog Festival. Nightly festivities are held at the city’s Plaza Independencia.
Damili Festival
Locals of San Nicolas in Ilocos Norte province celebrate its pottery industry, also called “damili.” The town’s age-old pottery tradition has been declared as part of the School of Living Traditions by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Festivities include cultural performances, streetdancing and pantomiming the steps in making clay pots.
Dec. 27
Binaybayon Festival
The city of Baybay in Leyte province pays homage to its patroness, Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, as well as highlights its customs and traditions. A city ordinance was passed in June this year declaring Dec. 27 of every year as “Binaybayon Festival Day” to highlight the city’s sociocultural activities.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, malacanang.gov.ph, cebucity. gov.ph, cebudailynews,
inquirer.net