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The Versatile Coastal
Town of Banate, Iloilo
Both the Roman Catholic
and the Aglipayan Communities in this town have preserved the Western and
Catholic way of making the memory of the passion, death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ alive through the heritage received from the Spaniards, who
evangelized the town for centuries.
Banate
is a coastal town in the northern part of the province of Iloilo, Region VI
Western Visayas, Philippines.
It
is primarily a fishing and agricultural municipality, which has a population of
27,263 inhabitants in 5,279 households.
Banate
is well known for Kasag (crabs), ginamos, and the fresh fish, which local
entrepreneurs take to and sell in the capital of the province, in many of the
non-coastal towns, and even in Manila.
The
town has a port for boats that transport passengers and local products, like
rice, mangoes, and sugarcane to the island of Negros.
Banate
has a land area of 118.86 km².
It
is a beautiful coastal town which is about as big as Iloilo City and is 50
kilometers away from the Capital of the Province of Iloilo.
The
town has large areas planted with rice, sugarcane, vegetables, beans, coconut
and bananas.
Banate
is composed of 18 barangays, seven of which are along the shorelines and the
rest are in the uplands.
Population
The
1995 National Census on Population and Housing shows that Banate has a total
population of 24,976 excluding those residing in Barangay Fuentes (a contested
Barangay between Banate and Anilao).
However,
if Barangay Fuentes is included, the total population would be 25,597.
Banate
has average annual population growth rate of 1.21% based on the population
change within the years 1990–1995.
Municipal
income
Being
a very versatile town with livelihood income both coming from the sea and the
farmlands, the Municipality of Banate has generated actual income from calendar
year 1995 to calendar year 1999 reaching up to P82, 167,999.30.
The
increase of the town's income was mainly due to the increase in revenue
allotment, tax, and operating revenue of the municipality.
It
could be observed that Banate is increasingly growing in commerce and industry.
Household
The
1995 Census of Population and Housing (which includes Barangay Fuentes)
recorded a total of 4,761 households with an average household size of 6 person
per household for the urban area, and 5 persons per household for the rural
area.
The
urban area, comprising Poblacion, Barangay Alacaygan, Barangay Bularan,
Barangay Carmelo, Barangay Talokgangan and Barangay Zona Sur, has a total
household of 1653.
The
12 rural barangays have a total of 2,908 households with Barangay San Salvador
having the highest number households (480).
The
12 barangays belonging to the rural area has a population of 15,772 or about
62% of the total population of Banate.
Of
the 12 barangays, Barangay San Salvador has the highest population (2,380 or
9.31%, while Barangay Fuentes, (a disputed barangay between the Municipality of
Banate and the Municipality of Anilao) has the least population of only 621
persons or 4% of the rural population, since some residents have considered
themselves residents of Anilao.
The
most recent and promising note for the future economic growth of Banate is the
projected Banate-Negros Occidental Bridge.
In
the midst of the year 2006 (July 30, 2006, Governors from 16 provinces of the
Visayas met at the Provincial Capitol of Negros Occidental in Bacolod City to
discuss the construction of bridges linking Cebu, Bohol, Negros, Leyte and
Panay.
They
call these bridges the Trans-Visayas Friendship Bridges.
Among
these bridges would be the Banate-Negros Occidental Bridge, which would link
the Island of Negroes to the Island of Panay.
Located
at the spot nearest to Negros, Banate is the most logical and ideal place for
the construction of the connecting bridge between the two islands of the
Visayas.
Celebrations
San
Juan Fiesta
During
the 24th of June, every year, the town celebrates the feast of St. John the
Baptist.
The
"Diana," a marching band, wakes the townsfolk early in the morning so
as to signify also that it is the fiesta.
Masses
are held, in both Roman Catholic and Aglipayan Churches after which, devotees’
carry in procession a decorated carroza containing the statue of the Patron
saint through the main streets of the town.
The
townspeople cook typical delicious dishes for the guests to eat and, later in
the afternoon, children as well as teenagers go to the plaza to enjoy the fun
at the "peryahan."
During
the evening, a “search” for Miss Banate is held in the municipal covered
gymnasium. Hundreds of crowds pack up the gym just to cheer and clap for their
bets.
Semana
Santa Celebration
Banate
has, for centuries, also observed the Holy Week celebration in the traditional
Catholic custom.
The
town boasts of antique ivory religious images, which are only seen displayed
during the Easter Triduum celebrations and processions.
Both
the Roman Catholic and the Aglipayan Communities in this town have preserved
the Western and Catholic way of making the memory of the passion, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ alive through the heritage received from the
Spaniards, who evangelized the town for centuries.
The
meditation on the seven last words of Jesus and the re-enactment of his last
moments on Calvary attract devotees from neighboring towns on Good Fridays.
Banate
is known in the Province of Iloilo for its "lab-as" or savory fresh
fruits of the sea. Sometime during the second week of December until the first
week of January, the residents celebrate the "Kasag Festival".
It
is a celebration of thanksgiving for one of the many blessings that the town is
endowed with- "Kasag" (crabs).
For
weeks, the residents hold a food festival every evening at the town's plaza,
which features the different ways of how the Banatenhons cook crabs, fresh fish
and other bounties from Banate Bay.
Kasag
Festival
For
over 17 years in the making, Kasag festival came as an offshoot of the Annual
Street Dancing Competition as the highlight of the Annual Town Fiesta, and the
promotion of the town's famed product, the Blue Crabs, through as the
Municipality’s One Town One Product (OTOP) project.
Previous
Street Dancing Competitions were held every 24th day of June, as one of the
highlights of the final day of the Annual Town Fiesta honoring and thanking God
through the intercession of St. John the Baptist for the fruitful year spent.
However,
the activities meant at integrating Kasag Festival with the Feast of St. John
the Baptist proved to be such a tedious endeavor for Banatenhons, requiring
much of their time and effort.
Most
often, this results to distractions, if not deviations, from the original
essence and spirit of the religious fiesta which is about the devotion to St.
John the Baptist and thanksgiving to the Almighty God.
With
the implementation of the DTI’s One Town One Product (OTOP), Banate identified
Kasag (Blue Crab) as the prevalent and flourishing fishery based industry thus
making it Banate’s OTOP.
Promoting
the new product and incorporating the product with the festival was
conceptualized by the people in charge of OTOP.
With
positive response from the Local Chief Executive, all systems go for the First
Kasag Festival Celebration; with “young blood” from the newly elected public
officials and the desire to promote Banate’s One Town One Product as well as
Banate’s Tourism Development the First Kasag Festival came into celebration on
December 2007.
Food
Courts of various mouth-watering and native delicacies were there to give
justice to the ever-craving and discriminating taste of Ilonggos.
A
nightly Singing contest to entertain and showcase the singing prowess of
Banatenhons was staged.
Daily
entertaining activities like Laro ng Lahi (old Filipino games), Basketball
Tournament and search for Mutya sang Kasag were organized topped by the eagerly
anticipated all new Street Dancing Competition based on the idea of Kasag’s
preservation for future generation and Kasag’s nature and thanksgiving to the
bountiful season of fishing.
Participation
in Other Festivals
Selected
Kasag performers regularly compete in other festivals.
Banate
is represented by Tribu Kasag in the Kasadyahan portion of the Dinagyang
Festival every January in Iloilo City.
The
Kasag festival also competes in the Aliwan Fiesta held every April in Metro
Manila.
Both
Tribu Kasag and the Kasag Festival have won several awards, including the
Kasadyahan championship trophy in 2009 and 2010, and the second runner-up
trophy at the Aliwan Fiesta in 2010.
Restaurants
& resorts
· C.R.C.I
· Ecopark
· Kuzena
· Kites Place
· Tabing Dagat
· Tito Pap's Food Place
· Villa Francisca
Jhaypee Guia
Zodiac sign: Taurus
Height: 5'2"
Weight: 47 Kls.
Point of View in Life:
You don't have to be perfect
if you want to do something. As long as your heart is there and you have the
courage to show the real you, then you can find victory. Believing in yourself is very important. In
whatever you do, always have faith in your skills and abilities with humble and
reasonable confidence. Always be thankful to God who gives you strength, wisdom
and knowledge everyday to be happy and successful.
God Bless Everyone.
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