February 3 | Calinog

From a Visayan term for “jubilation” or “rejoicing,” Hirinugyaw was inspired by the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City and has become a feast with success for the people Calinog through a festivity showing the town’s devotion to the Child Jesus and highlighted as it turns out in celebration for the feast of Sto. Niño.

People make effort to perform colorful cultural dances and other festive commemorative rites in His honor. The festival has given life in their faith and has become a growing devotion in their hearts.

The dances performed are usually thought to be simple dances composed of repetitive, easy-to-learn steps. However the presentation becomes highly complex with the incorporation of a Sugidanon---traditional stories on a town’s history and culture narrated through chanting. It is used to highlight the dances in order to heighten the dramatic or comic effect of the presentation.

As a whole, the festival functions to create or promote a sense of community as it continues to make the community feel part of a provincial or regional group to help them establish ties with their heritage.

Read more about Hirinugyaw Suguidadonay.