Those twelve months that make up each and every year on our calendars are very familiar. Even most children by the time they are enrolled in kindergarten or first grade can name the twelve months of the year. There are even cute little poems and rhymes designed to help us keep track of each month. Yet, at one time there were no names for these calendar periods, only the seasons themselves were marked by those living in the West Visayas.
Ulalóng, It is the first month of the year in the Hiligaynon calendar; January. Probably because it was formerly the month for cotton-spinning. It means 'rough,' 'botched,' 'bungled,' 'careless,' 'coarse,' 'not well done,' applied to all kinds of work. Ulalóng (Inulalóng) nga trabáho. (Rough or careless work.) It means a task that has been badly performed. This month opens the year. The Fireworks Display is in the month of Ulalóng.
Dagangkáhoy, The month of February. Some trees turn scarlet in this month. The Candelaria Fiesta is in Dagangkáhoy. It is the biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in the West Visayas with the blessing of candles and a procession of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the Fiesta Queen and her court.
Dagangbúlan, The month of March. The moon turns scarlet in this month. The Paraw regatta, a race amongst seafarers on colourful sailboats called paraws in the straits between the Guimaras Island and Iloilo City, is held in Dagangbúlan. The Pintados de Passi is in the second week of this month.
Kilíng, The month of April. The ring attached to the traces and through which ring the rein or nose-rope is
passed is called kilíng. It is also a steadying device put on a kite, so that it may fly straight and smooth. The Semana sang Iloilo (Week of Iloilo) is on the second week of Kilíng.
Himabúyan, The month of May. Himabúyan is the time when each day is bursting forth in full bloom across much of the country. We might consider Himabúyan to be the opening of the growing season, or an open door to a new growing period. Iloilo City celebrates its Heritage Month in Himabúyan. Various activities are lined up by the city government of Roxas City for its Charter Day celebration in this month. The Katagman Festival (of Oton) is on the first week of Himabúyan.
Kabáy, The month of June. Typhoons sometimes leave hundreds of thousands homeless and cause a lot of damage in Kabáy.The Biraw-Paraw Festival (of Leganes) is on the last week of Kabáy. The Feast of St Anthony de Padua (in Toboso) is held in this month.
Hidapdápan, July. It is a kind of tree with red flowers. Its wood is worthless even for fuel. The Molo district fiesta in honour of St Anne is held in Hidapdápan.
Lubádlúbad, The month of August. It was removing of the string or rope that held them or that had been tied round them. Iloilo City culminates its charter day in Lubádlúbad.
Norólsol, September. The Tumandok Festival is celebrated in Norólsol. Talisay City celebrates Minuluan Festival in this month.
Bágyobágyo, The month of October. The Masskara Festival, the annual celebration in Bacolod City, is held in Bágyobágyo. Typhoons drench much of the country in this month.The Tigkaralag Festival (of Pavia) is held on 30 Bágyobágyo.
Pánglotdiótay, November. The district fiesta of Mandurriao celebrated with a mass procession and carnival is in Pánglotdiótay. The Kawayan Market Week (at Robinson’s Mall) is on the second week of this month.
The Hablon Moda (at Robinson’s Mall ), too.
Pánglotdakû, The month of December. The cold winds usually build up and blow into the country in Pánglotdakû. The coldest part of the day will be the early morning between 4 and 5 AM just before sunrise. It could get warmer around noon and the afternoon, but not by much as there is less humidity during this month.The Pantat Festival (of Zarraga) is on the third week of Pánglotdakû.
No comments:
Post a Comment