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Events
& Festivals 2001 |
| July
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Santa
Ana Kahimonan Abayan
In the northern
Mindanao City of Butuan, a celebration of colorful procession marks the
beginning of the fiesta called Santa Ana Kahimonan Abayan. This celebration
held on 27 July is in thanksgiving to Santa Ana, the locals' patron saint
for hearing and answering their prayers.
Many years
ago, the Agusan River was plagued with human-eating crocodiles that was
slowly destroying the locals' livelihood. Due to this problem, the townspeople
offered a prayer to Santa Ana imploring for bountiful harvests and a safe
journey across the river. Miraculously, the creatures were eventually
destroyed proving that their prayers did not fall on deaf ears.
In order
to honor Santa Ana, a waterborne mass is staged on this present day. During
this event, hundreds of boats decorated with colorful buntings are linked
side by side to create a long, floating platform, with the statue of their
patron saint placed in the middle of it. Once the mass has ended, the
event is heightened with chants from the choirs together with the beating
of drums.
This joyous
occasion also provides an opportunity for the Terurai, Manobo, Mandaya
and Bukidnon people to interact, sell their goods and show off their dancing
skills.
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