Capiztahan ‘23 touted as prelude to bigger future celebrations

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

Capiz Governor Fredenil Castro on Monday touted the upcoming celebration of the annual Capiztahan festival, which starts this week, as a ‘teaser’ for its future iterations which he described to become the country’s biggest festival.

The provincial government spearheaded a press conference on Monday to discuss this year’s celebrations, with Castro and Vice-Governor James Magbanua at the helm.

Castro intimated that the festival would be toned down for a reason that he refused to disclose but noted that they may not be the first festival to do so.

He explained that it would be “completely different” from the festivals of previous years, focusing more on the province’s history than simple merriment.

“Let me stress, that Capiztahan 2023 is only a teaser, meaning to say, that the whole of Capiztahan will not be shown this coming April [14] to May 1st for one reason or another. In fact, I am going to avoid mentioning the main reason because I am afraid that we might not be the first,” Castro said.

“[Capiztahan 2023] will show the story of the Capiznon, not like the previous years, which were purely entertainment and celebration. This upcoming [festival] will show how the government came up here in the Capiz, from our beloved Atis, Negritos, and our Panay Bukidnon friends, […] from then until later today, when civilization has changed,” he added.

The governor pointed to the two-week celebration and described it as a “test period”, to see what can be improved over the next few years. Last year’s edition lasted for only 3 days from April 22 to 24.

He implied that the celebrations being limited to Roxas City was also one of the indications of this edition being a “teaser”.

“This is not too perfect yet, but we lengthened [the Capiztahan duration] to see where we would be lacking and where we would be excessive. Everything that needs to be shown to the world, we will need to show it here. […] If in food, there is a teaser, you need to serve the best, because if it’s not the best, they may no longer eat it the next time,” he said.

“We haven’t mentioned other good places for tourists to go to, the reason [being] that we are not prepared to show them to our visitors because they haven’t been improved, and if we showcase them already, it may be lacking and not fitting for our guests. It is for this reason that after Capiztahan 2023, the provincial government will meet with resort operators [and] owners and lay down how their places would be attractions,” he stated.

Board Member Sonny Besa, chairperson of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s budget and appropriations, mentioned that a total of ₱57.6 million was earmarked for the festival, stemming from the provincial government’s savings from its 2022 budget.

Capiztahan 2023 will kick-off this Friday, April 14, with all celebrations to be held in various venues across Roxas City, mostly being held in provincial government venues.

It is an annual celebration commemorating the establishment of the province via Act No. 115 (An Act Extending the Provisions of the Provincial Government Act to the Province of Capiz), issued by the Philippine Commission under the American colonial occupation in 1901.