Haladaya Festival is one of the highly praised festivals in the Cebu Province for its colorful costumes, unique interpretative dance steps and its historical significance concerning the town’s glorious past.
The Municipality of Daanbantayan hosts yearly fiesta celebration every 30th day of August in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Rose of Lima. The highlight of the celebration is the extravagant Haladaya Festival.
The name “haladaya” originated from Datu Daya who was the head of the first Malayan settlers in the place. He was known for his courage and valor in driving away the Moro raiders who constantly ransacked and terrorized the residents.
Daanbantayan is located 128 kilometers away from the main city. Its total land area measure 10,455 hectares with 20 barangays under its jurisdiction. It is the last town in the northern portion of Cebu Island.
Before the town was established in the 17th century, the town was locally termed as Kandaya, taken from its first chieftain Datu Daya. As part of the defenses of Datu Daya, he erected a watchtower “bantayan sa hari” at Tapilon to warn the native about the incoming attacks.
The idea was proven effective and the marauders never came back. Instead, they attacked the neighboring towns of Kandaya. A new watchtower was built and the former “old” watchtower, locally termed as “daang bantayan” was utilized as the name of the town when it was converted into a municipality.
In 2004, the local government of Daanbantayan through Maria Luisa Loot, the town’s mayor during the time had thought of another way of enticing more tourists to visit Daanbantayan. Inspired by the famous Sinulog Festival, she initiated the first street dancing festival in Daanbantayan, the Haladaya Festival.
The term “Haladaya” means “an offering to Datu Daya”. Halad means “offering” and Daya refers to the legendary chieftain Datu Daya whose courage in defeating the oppressive Moros has admired many.
It is used to be a weeklong celebration that commences every Easter Sunday and ends on the seventh day after. Its theme depicts the heroism of Datu Daya in oppressing the Moros as well as its victorious past. It is also a form of thanksgiving for giving the Kandayan-ons with so many blessings. All these are presented in colorful street dancing and ritual showdown.
However, when Loot’s son, Sun Shimura took the seat as the town’s mayor, he decided to move the celebration to August 30 in cognizance of the town’s fiesta. Commencing on August 21, Haladay Festival became the highlight of the fiesta celebration, in honor of the town’s patron, St. Rose of Lima.
Haladaya Festival aims to be as unique as it could be. Basic steps include muslim, ethnic, neo-ethnic or fusion of modern and traditional steps. Steps that are derived from dance songs like Otso-Otso, Spaghetti, Itaktak and the like are not allowed. Usage of props that are associated with the other festivals like mascara of Maskara Festival, candles of Sinulog Festival and others are not tolerated.
Celebrate Cebu and be marveled on the displayed talents of pure Daanbantayanons as they breathe life into a legend of Datu Daya and his courage. And don’t miss the thrill of nature adventure in Daanbantayan.
