ABUYOG'S: Buyogan Festival

Expectations arose as Mayor Octavio J. Traya Jr.  narrated to us interesting facts and legends that surround the beautiful municipality of Abuyog, Leyte.

How Abuyog got its name is as interesting as the place itself. When the Spaniards arrived in the place, they asked the natives what the name of the place was. The natives, thinking that the foreigners were asking about the swarm of bees nearby, replied, “Ah..buyog,” thus the name Abuyog.

Legend tells us that Abuyog had a mystical creature popularly known there as Opayda, a good fairy who helped cure victims of bee stings and guides fishermen safely back to shore through her magical voice.

Abuyog celebrated its Buyogan Festival recently as one of the highlights of its Linggo ng Abuyog, a week-long celebration in honor of St. Francis Xavier. In addition to three Taclobanons and a mass media personality, two Cebuano representatives, Herbert “Sugar” Senarillos (CBD College choreographer) and this writer, were invited to judge the production showcase of the festival, which was participated in by five elementary and three secondary local contingents.

Abuyog is a mimetic dance festival focusing on the movement of bees which is injected with legendary concepts of the beautiful fairy Opayda or religious concepts of the town’s patron.

 The town’s mayor is a lover and supporter of the arts, so he encouraged the youth to participate with cultural activities that not only develop their wholeness but promote local tourism as well. Abuyog Festival dancers made waves in the past when they joined the Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban, the Sinulog, and the Aliwan Festival.

 Abuyog’s Buyogan Festival has a very bright future considering that they have already scheduled future participations in Sinulog and Aliwan 2009. The core group is already perpetually polishing their moves and extensions. Well, that’s a promising contingent to watch out for.

Viva, St. Francis Xavier.