The island province of Palawan once again will showcase its historical, cultural, agricultural, investment and trade potentials in its forthcoming festival dubbed as Baragatan sa Palawan 2009.

Baragatan provides an opportunity for all sectors and cultural groups to showcase their varying cultures, colorful lifestyles, crafts and handicrafts.

In order to preserve the Cuyuno culture, Baragatan Executive Committee sets a Cuyunon Day on June 16 involving various activities featuring the talents, skills and the rich culture of Cuyunos.

Long before the influx of migrants from different provinces of the country, Cuyuno was the dominant cultural group in Palawan speaking with their own dialect, way of life and history. The Cuyuno dialect is the one used by actress Judy Ann Santos on the film “Ploning” which was shot in Cuyo Island.

Free workshop through the Provincial Economic Enterprise Development Office will be conducted on proper use of tipano, a much loved local bamboo flute. Participants should bring their own musical instrument

”Lutong Atenanen” cooking demonstration will feature tips on the way how Cuyunons prepare their favorite delicacies like bandi (sweet cashew nuts), buti-buti (popped rice) and combo (fried banana).

Cuyunon Night will showcase novel Cuyuno dances and arts like erekay, sayaw, comedya and pinundo-pondo. These arts became famous during the Spanish conquest in the island. Many families in Cuyo were of Spanish ancestry.

To give life to Cuyuno songs, a band competition will require participants to render original Cuyuno composition. A category is also reserved for contestants singing popular music translated into Cuyuno rock music.

Baragatan sa Palawan 2009 is a month-long festivity of Palaweños which will coincide with the 107th anniversary of the establishment of a civil government of Palawan in June 23.

Every month of June, residents of all municipalities come to Puerto Princesa. It is this profuse interplay of the diversity of our cultures, yesterday and today, which has given birth to our annual festivity. True to the meaning of the name Baragatan which is derived from the Cuyuno word “bagat” which means to meet, Baragatan is a celebration of convergence of peoples, cultures, traditions, arts and crafts produced by Palaweños out of the abundance of the environment.

This is the time of year when all Palaweños including those who have made Palawan their home along with the businessman, tourists and travelers, flock at the Provincial Capitol Complex for weeks of sharing, discovering and rediscovering the best of Palawan, its tourism sights and investment potentials toward a better, unified and more progressive province.

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