Antique gears up for grand 50th Binirayan Festival

The Antique Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (APTCAO), led by Officer-in-Charge Juan Carlos Perlas, has outlined extensive plans for the 50th Binirayan Festival.

This year’s celebration promises to be grand, marked by a hundred-day countdown and a series of diverse events.

“This year’s Binirayan Festival will be three times bigger, filled with pocket activities,” Perlas said.

The festivities are scheduled to run from December 2 to December 20, 2024, and will feature a motorcade, food festival, cultural booths, a search for the “Datu kang Antique 2024,” historical plays, torch lighting and parades, beauty pageants, a Kapuso Fiesta, cooperative day, a battle of the festivals, a Miss Gay Babaylan Festival Headdress Contest, youth nights, a parade showcasing ethnic diversity, street dancing, fireworks, and an AEGIS concert.

Perlas described it as a homecoming for all Antiqueños, with activities designed to celebrate the unique culture and identity of the province.

In anticipation of the festival’s golden jubilee, APTCAO is preparing for an expected surge in tourism.

Efforts are underway to increase flight availability by 20% and improve the infrastructure at Antique Airport.

The office also plans to boost the number of tourism establishments accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT) from 146 to 200 this year.

APTCAO is not only focusing on establishments but is also considering the accreditation of Tricycle Operators and Drivers Associations (TODA) for their pivotal role in tour guiding.

“These initiatives are made to ensure a great experience for both locals and visitors throughout their stay in the province,” Perlas said, underlining the commitment to delivering a memorable and culturally rich festival for all participants.