Just a bit of facts to
inform those who are not aware that the earliest monument built in honor of our
great national, Jose Rizal, was erected here in my very own province of
Camarines Norte. This structure antedates even the famous Luneta Monument of
Rizal which was built only in 1913. It stands as the official seal of the
Provincial Government of Camarines Norte and of the Municipiality of Daet where
it occupies a very prominent place.
It is a living testimony of
a substantial patriotism of Bicolanos. A great significance indeed to
Bicolandia. It was unveiled on December 30,1898,two years after Rizal’s
execution.
The monument ,however,has
its unique design,( much afar from the rest which shows a typical statue of our
hero in a long overcoat) . It’s a huge cube shaped base supports a triangular
obelisk that tapers off at the tip. A headturner for curious spectators and for
scholars alike.
As such a festival was born
which bore the provinces’ identity. The Bantayog Festival,now on its 8th year
of celebration. Celebrating alongside the 92nd founding Anniversary of the
province of Camarines Norte on the 15th of April 1920. I should say our
province is a reflection of images..of its color and pageantry, the values and
beauty, the tradition and the continuity of cultural heritage portraits the
provinces’ richness.
The Bantayog Festival is a
massive activity where the 12 municipalities of the province would gather and
cooperate to simultaneously celebrate this festivities. A showcase of tradition
and various practices, folklores and beliefs which are to be depicted through
the talents of local performers.
The weigh of this
celebrations falls on the provinces’ tourism. Aside from the entertainment it
also provides participation from domestic and foreign tourists alike. The most
extravagant of all is the Bantayog Grand Festival Parade. A series of
activities is set for a month long celebration to wit: dance showdown, boxing
competition, photo art exhibit, tourism and trade fair, job fair, Search for
Miss Bantayog, painting workshop and many more.
This festival places our
province under the watchful eye of the national media since this is considered
the overall marketing package of the province of Camarines Norte, thus the
leading tourists destinations will become known and will also diversify industries
that thrive in the province . The visitors and all the participants are
expected to relish the product, the artistic craftsmanship, the taste of native
cuisines, more importantly the warm spirit and kind heartedness of Camarines
Nortenos.
And as it triggers
attention it ignites hope amidst an environment of pessimism and selfishness.
It will transcend messages that we can get our acts together and therefore
seize the range of possibilities to pass through challenges. Being a place of
so much awe and wonder, this would definitely widen the place of this province
in the hearts and minds of many people.
Walang komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento