Thousands of locals and tourist yesterday flocked to Calinog, Iloilo to witness the 25th Hirinugyaw and 8thSuguidadonay Festivals.

Six contesting tribes, composed of various participating national high schools in the town, performed in the jam-packed Calinog gym.

Calinog Mayor Alex Centena said the festival is a celebration of the town’s history and culture as seen in the performances which depict the lives of indigenous tribe Panay Bukidnon.

He noted how the members of the IP group joined in the performances by singing or chanting portions of their oral traditions while tribe members interpreted the stories in dances.

Tribes which participated were Tribu Banaag, Tribu Maragtas of Carvanasa National High School, Tribu Dila-Dila of Alcarde Gustilo Memorial National High School, Tribu Silaw of Malithog National High School and Tribu Buruklakaw or Bulalakaw from Calinog National Comprehensive High School.

The audience was treated to another outstanding performance by guest tribe fresh from the Dinagyang Ati Competition Tribu Ilonganon of Jalandoni Memorial National High School in La Paz, Iloilo City.

Centena said that aside from promoting the culture of Calinog, the celebration is a tourism endeavor aimed at luring more tourists to visit their town to help spur the local economy and promote Calinog as an ideal tourist and investor destination.*