Colors of Commemorating one of the Greatest Filipinos-- By: Renei Almoneda

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 CamarinesNortenos.

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.