Katagman Festival 2008

The event begins with an Exhibition on Ogtong History and Culture at the SB Session Hall alongside the Unveiling of the Replica of the Golden Mask at the town Plaza on April 28, 2008

Inspired by ancient Oton’s folk pageant and custom, the extraordinary golden mask, forms part of the fundamental characteristic incorporated during the celebration of KATAGMAN FESTIVAL.

The wearing of the mask during tribe competition delivers the dramatic impact of the celebration.

April 29 is set for the Opening of Agri-Fair, Garden Show and Plant Sale at the Municipal Hall

And the Search for Ginoong Erpat and Ginang Ermat at the Municipal Plaza;

The Search for Oton Foundation Queen and the Opening of Food Festival highlights the 30th of April

May 1 is all rush for the Porma Baras and Motorboat Race at the Poblacion South alongside the 1st Oton Mountain Bike Race at the town plaza;

Bomborador, On-the-Spot-Painting Contest is scheduled on May 2;

And the much-anticipated Street Dancing and the Musical, Dance and Theater Competition caps the celebration on May 3, 2008.The Tribes Contest is a unique combination of street dancing and street theater. Tribes representing a cluster of the 37 barangays in the municipality participate in the contest. The tribes are: Tribu Kanipaan, Tribu Nakatundan, Tribu Katamnan, Tribu Parayan, Tribu Paraw, Tribu Mandaragat and Tribu Malaca.

Because of its location and environmental influence, Oton has been one of the main focuses of human settlement in the province. Its history would test to the previous existence of having one of the earliest civilizations in Panay. It is one of the more developed towns in the province.

It has eight flourishing subdivisions mostly concentrated in the main urban barangays.

It also has beach resorts and numerous workshops engaging in handloom weaving, high quality home furnishings, blacksmithing, hat-making, candy production, rice milling and swine raising.

Oton is 10.2 kilometers or a 30-minute jeepney ride from downtown Iloilo. It is the first town (2nd Class) in the southern part of the province and is blessed with beautiful beaches and resorts that provide basic and modern amenities from simple cottages to swimming pools.

In Oton, there is always good food. The town is known for its mouth-watering talaba (oyster) and fresh seafoods served in restaurants such as Nes and Tat’s, Allan’s Talabahan and Anhawan Resort. It also has the best buco pie in Iloilo, the Nang Palang’s Buco Pie in Barangay Trapiche.

Today, KATAGMAN FESTIVAL has evolved from a local event centered on a particular community into something approaching a provincial celebration, representing the identity of Oton as a whole.

Text by dArkSa|nt