MANILA, Philippines - Capiz “dressed up” one weekend in April to celebrate Capiztahan 2011, a joint endeavor by the government and the private sector of the city now called Roxas City. It was the United Capizeños Foundation, Inc., going by the group name One Capiz, which marshalled the collaborative, participative and consultative approach to governance and public service to realize the vision for the Capizeños to “move as one.” Needless to say, both the government and private sector are pivotal elements of what is envisioned to be a unified Capiz, working toward progress in the fields of governance, economy, health, education and tourism.
We saw how this ideal partnership works, if only briefly, as we were treated to a three-day grand festival of cultural and culinary treasures and pleasures. In the words of governor Victor Tanco, “Capiztahan 2011 marks another milestone in the thrust of the good people of Capiz for economic and social advancement.”
Capiztahan also marked the 63rd death anniversary of its most prominent son, the late President Manuel A. Roxas, in whose honor the late President Elpidio Quirino, by Republic Act No. 608, named Capiz as Roxas City in 1951. His vision was “a landscape ever green with fruits of toil, high above the sea level of starvation and want…”
The weekend also commemorated the 110th foundation day of the civil government of Capiz. And so it was that the festive air pervaded from the welcoming music played and sung by a group of young Capizeños wearing traditional costumes upon our arrival at the airport, to the warm handshakes of business and local officials, to the tour of some historic churches and buildings, and most of all the fiesta spreads on tables laid for lunch, dinner, and even breakfast.
We missed the thanksgiving mass on the first day of the festivities, but we certainly were lucky to be around for the fabulous sundown Parade of Lights that very slowly wound its way from Roxas Plaza to People’s Park. We have no words to describe some 38 floats, each displaying – in thousands of lights – gigantic, brilliant interpretations of the province’s sea creatures. They actually diverted our attention from the two beauty queens, Venus Raj and Isabella Manjon, who were on stage.
We managed to see part of the landscape of the city and the towns nearby. We visited the Sta. Monica Church, built in 1774 – one of the oldest in the country – with the biggest, and most likely the heaviest, Christian bell in Southeast Asia, cast in 1878 using 70 sacks of coins, standing 7 feet tall and weighing 10.4 tons. The house where President Roxas was born still stands proud in an area near City Hall.
The women of Roxas City are not idle. Some 3,000 of them marched through the streets during the celebration night, highlighting their participation in various aspects of provincial development. Joanne Dadivas, wife of the vice mayor, told us about how some of these dedicated women cleared an estero of illegal settlers in Catidnealian and converted it into a tourist attraction by offering a river cruise with a spa, entertainment, and lunch. She takes pride in it being the first of its kind in the country. The all-woman Rotary Club likewise dedicated to their civic endeavors.
A walk through the Baybay beach revealed how massive the fishing industry is in Capiz. The very active fish port confirmed the major role it plays in supplying the needs of the whole country. The trade and horticultural fair, on the other hand, showcased handicrafts from Capiz lanterns to abaca slippers. The plants and blooms featured are a gardener’s dream.
Food offerings are what foodies always savor. In Capiz, fish right out of the ponds go straight to the grillers and on to the tables where diners unabashedly used their fingers. The prawns were lusciously pink and the crabs – all with thick alige! There was always lechon and we could not resist nibbling at the ribs.
Our most enjoyable weekend in Roxas City was made possible by One Capiz, especially our friend Marla, a true Capizeña, gracious and solicitous. We thank Judy Araneta Roxas for welcoming us to her house where she had a sumptuous spread and to her fish pond, a four-minute boat ride from the shore. To congressman Del Rosario and his wife Suzette for the dinner at their beautiful Espacio Verde. To mayor Angel Alan Celino. A lot of our appreciation goes to vice mayor Ronnie Dadivas and his lovely wife, Joanne, who graciously looked after us from our day of arrival to departure time. To An an who for arranging transport and even our pasalubongs.
We end this article with Judy’s dream for Roxas City – “that each and every resident will do his/her bit, in making our city progressive, a place we can be proud of…little gestures like cleaning one’s front yard will add up to a big whole, the beautification of Capiz depends on each and every resident.” She became a true Capizeña when she married the late Gerardo Roxas many decades ago; she has not abandoned his city, his province.
Food and sweets of Capiz and the people who make them will be next week’ s “In My Basket”. E-mail comments and questions to ldcastillo327@yahoo.com.ph