Binirayan Festival - remembrance of the origin of Malays in Antique

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL

The Festival

At every end of April is when Binirayan Festival is celebrated in Antique, Philippines, composed of theatrical plays in vernacular language where actors are dressed up in Malayan costume. The joyful merriment is a month-long commemoration of the landing of the Bornean royalties in Malandog, Hamtic, Antique sometime in the 13th century. Not only it is held in honor of the Santo NiÒo, the event also a remembrance of the origin of Malays in Antique.
Several features of this event includes the Biray (flotilla of sailboats built similar to the ones the Bornean datus used, awarding of Bugal kan Antique, Lin-ay kang Antique (Miss Antique), the Pasundayag, and an effusive parade, among many others. Excellence of craftsmanship of local arts and products of the Antique people is also showcased in an exhibit in the festival, and provides contribution to the tourism of the region.
A fluvial parade starts the festival in the port to Hamticís Malandog Beach, which is believed the place the Bornean datus originally settled.

Origin

Originally meant ìwhere they landedî, Binirayan is a reenactment of the Maragtas legend that tells about the ten Bornean datus that anchored to Sirwagan Creek in San Joaquin escaping the tyrant leader Datu Makatunaw of Borneo. Story has it that the datus bought Panay Island from Aeta Chief Marikudo with a golden salakot. The datus with their wives settled in the Visayan region and confederated with the barangay, which they call Madya-as ruled by Datu Sumakwel.

History

Local folks of Antique decided to hold an event where they could unite altogether as the people of the Panay Island, looking back at their roots and their achievements. On the 30th of April until the 1st of May, 1974, the first Binirayan Festival is held, part of advocacy of then governor Evelio Javier. Despite his death in 1986, the festival progresses up to the present day.

The Scoop

In the reenactment of the Binirayan, it was mid 13th century when Borneo was ruled by Sultan Makatunaw. Being tyrant to his people, the unhappy Bornean datus devised a plot of uprising against Makatunaw led by Datu Palburong, being anxious that Makatunaw, being know for his sexual appetite, threats Pabalunan, his charming wife.
Known for his skills and knowledge in weaponry and military tactics, the mild-mannered Datu Bangkaya contributes to the plot along with the fearless Datu Sumakwel, master of the Hindus, Egyptians, and the Shri-Visayans.
Datu Sumakwel brought the group to the sultanate minister, Datu Puti, who convinced Datu Palburong to seek a settlement in a far land where they could live free instead of facing a formidable foe as Sultan Makatunaw.
The united group heeded the counsel of Puti and Sumakwel, thus prepared food and water for the binidays or flotilla for a long journey.
Leading the expedition to the north on a moonless night was Datu Puti, with his wife Pinagpangan on the 15th of April, 1240. Along were their children, their counselors, and their slaves.
On an early afternoon, they patroled the south of Bagwas, and the then known Aninipay, now Antique but reffered as Panay Island, and moved further to Sinugbungan, all the way to Andona Creek where they settled to wait for the coming of Chief Marikudo of the Aetas.
Datu Puti initialed the intention of making friends with the natives, and settle in Aninipay, Marikudoís then settlement.
In their binidays, the Borneans went back to wait for the decision of Marikudo as he seeked for the help of his wise men.
Later, Marikudo offered a banquet of fowls, crustaceans, and other shelled foods, washed with coconut wine for his Bornean guests.
Natives performed their cultural dances called urokoy and undok-undok while responding to the gesture, the Borneans danced their sinulog and dinapay. They also displayed costumes of Moorish designs, raising their weapons of swords and kris.
Proved to be irresistable to Marikudo, Datu Puti offered a golden basin and golden headgear. Marikudoís wife still demanded a gold necklace, long that it reached the ground. Putiís wife, Pinagpangan parted her gold necklace, thus went the tale of the barter of Anini-pay. The overwhelmed Marikudo and his people gave up the island and moved deeper in the land where wild animals and fresh water was abundance.

In Succession

In 2006, Komedya AntiqueÒa is introduced promoting the ìKomedyaî as a traditional theatrical event. Year 2007, the Binirayan Foundation assembled the Binirayan Confab, once known to be Binirayan Summit. It involves group of scholars, researchers, artists, academicians, cultural workers, and everyone who pays importance in ìAntiqueÒaî. The confab aims to preserve Binirayanís history and culture and to bring AntiqueÒos together and proudly look back at their past and live in the present with confidence.