Irosin town celebrates Paray festival

by BA Recebido

SORSOGON PROVINCE (1 September) — The local residents in the town of Irosin, the ‘Rice Granary’ of this province, are all set for this year’s celebration of Paray Festival.

Paray Festival is a celebration which focuses on the promotion of the farm work that entails ‘Paray’ (palay) production through street dancing depicting the various phases and processes from pre-harvest to post-harvest season of rice production and the triumph of the good over evil, showcasing St. Michael’s victory over Satan (Viva San Miguel!).

Originally, the festival is called “Hin-Ay” which signifies the old name of the municipality of Irosin. But to underscore the municipality as the rice producing town, the festival was changed to “Paray” to highlight abundance and the town’s basic occupation which is farming.

Mrs. Judy F. Estillero, Committee Chair, Paray Festival 2006 said that the ingenuity of the Irosinians however, cannot just be expressed on street dancing, but more so on the various events and activities as conceived by the Gallanosa National High School Development Cooperative of Irosin, this year’s sponsor of the festival. “The said trait deeply rooted in the culture and tradition of the people of Irosin as manifested in the celebration,” she added.

Estillero also said that in Paray festival 2006 ‘kick-off’ activity, residents of Irosin recognize the significant role played by the carabao in Paray production coming up with a “KARAVAN” signifying Irosinian’s love for work, creativity of the people to come up with products ready for the market and for exhibit in the Trade fair and stewardship of resources.

Aside from the usual annual events, the festival also offers more, making it a month-long celebration of performances, music and dances, as well as ‘Tuklas Talino’ and Quiz Bees, not to mention the overflow of foods and beverages.

Some activities to watch are “Tsako”, “Bayo”, “Galpong” and “Sabak” relays as added attractions to the ‘Palaro ng Lahi’.

Hon. Lilia Gonzales, the town’s mayor, said that ‘Irosin Paray Festival’ is not just a festivity but also a showcase of Irosinians way of life and deep religious fervor. The activities manifest the people’s value for the dignity of labor, the spirit of Bayanihan and gaiety where at the end of the day, they thank God for the blessings through the intercession of their Patron Saint, St, Michael, the Archangel.

The last ‘Hin-Ay’ celebration was in 2000 and the first Paray Festival was celebrated in 2002 as conceptualized and spearheaded by the Ilonggo clan of Irosin.

Irosin town is the only inland municipality of Sorsogon which occupies the central part of the Eastern portion of the triangular formation of the province of Sorsogon, however, it has the most number of rivers among the municipalities in the province. (PIA Sorsogon)