Panguyang Sa Binit Baybay

My first time participating in the festival was on last 2020. I don't have any idea about what Panguyang means. I thought it was just a dance presentation to the public during the festival. I just knew it is an interpretative dance with history telling. I never join this before I was confused about my rule to be portrayed. The instructor told me that I should know how to dance and act. Well, if you're not asking,🤣🤪, I was a dancer way back a very long time ago, I led many dancinpresentationss, and even a trainer as well, I can be whoever you want me to portray, I am so ready.😂😂,

.

Then I was shocked the other day, I was appointed as Hara(Princess)

because there were already completed who were roles for each one of us. I was happy really, and I think it's been flattering to be considered a beautiful one like the others have chosen too. He also gives roles to others such as Ati

, Raha(Datu).

When times at rehearsal, I was really goodlineined up in the place of the Haras( Princesses) to do the steps, but suddenly the trainer called my name, of course, I stepped forward to him, then I answered, Yes Sir! He said, you will no longer be a Hara, I choose you to be a Maaram( tribal witch) herself. The group said, Wow, they looked amazed their eyes wondering. But for me, I don't know what is Maaram(tribal witch)?. The instructor said, you're a witch, or much prefer to say in Bisaya term, Babaylan.

.

Babaylan is what I have researched and interviewed with the old folks in my community, they were saying it's manuhiwit, or manugkulam, or manugbulong, or manughilot. In many ways, I have to learn and study just because I want it to do right according to the history of the place. I have researched and picked some photos on the internet too, just to recognize the face and the images of the babaylan.

.

Some were saying, the Babaylan was an evil creature that came from hell and up here the living land to spread illness and curses. Some illnesses can be 

 disastrous

when you never believe it was coming from a witch, most of their curses are through food, whispers,  ng, or even some tiny parts of a victim's DNA, which may be harmful too. Some of the witches used a doll, a book doll which is scary when you see them. (I just pictured that in the movie😂). But in real life, some were saying it was too scary and they ate people like aswang.

.

March 02, 2020, was the day the of performance. Many people gathered around from different barrios and sitios only to witness the show. The day was the celebration of Women's Month in the municipality. Together with our municipal officials and our Municipal Mayor, Hon. Jose Jeffrey Y. Lomugdang, and the first lady herself, Madaam Carla S. Lomugdang,

they joined the rest of the public. This opening program is the foundation day of the municipality of Culasi, Antique.