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| The "Prosesyo sa Suba" or fluvial procession during the 2013 Sinadya sa Halaran. |
In Hiligaynon, “sinadya” means joy and “halaran” offering. The festival is a celebration and thanksgiving of the abundance and blessings received by the people of Roxas City and province of Capiz.
Sinadya sa Halaran is actually a fusion of two old fiesta celebrations in Roxas City and Capiz.
Sinadya was the merry-making aspect of the Roxas City fiesta, which falls on Dec. 8 in observance of the Feast of the Our Lady of Immaculate Conception, Patroness of Roxas City.
This year, Roxas City will also mark the 307th anniversary of the Parish of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral which was established in 1707.
Halaran was first launched in June 1975. The celebration then recalled the landing in 1200 of the Bornean datus in the island of Panay.
It also highlighted the purchase of Panay Island, which later came to be known as the Barter of Panay – a deal between the Bornean datus and Negrito chieftain Marikudo.
In 1992, Roxas City and Capiz agreed to merge the two festivities.
The Sinadya Halaran 2014 theme is “Halad Alagad” in honor of the Virgin Mary, a servant (alagad) who offered her life as Mother of God.
Let the spirit of service be portrayed meaningfully in the different facets of the Sinadya sa Halaran celebration, said Very Reverend Monsignor Victor Bendico, P.C., rector of Roxas City’s Immaculate Conception Metropolitan Cathedral.
He said the festival should develop and strengthen the collaborative efforts of the government, community and the Catholic Church.
One highlight of Sinadya sa Halaran is the Prosesyon sa Suba or the fluvial procession at the historic Panay River in Roxas City.
During the river procession, devotees of Virgin Mary release candles and floaters into the river. (Capiz Provincial Press Bureau/PN)
