Capiztahan 2025 Puts Spotlight on Capiz's Rich Culture and Culinary Heritage

 

Most festivals in the Philippines zero in on street revelry, and why not? Who wouldn’t want to strut to the sadsad steps of the Ati-Atihan while shouting “Hala Bira!” through the sweltering streets of Kalibo, Aklan? Or stomp to the thunderous drumbeats of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang, where every rhythm pounds the ground like a heartbeat? Both celebrations, this writer’s two most favorite festivals in the Philippines, light up Panay Island with an energy that’s hard to resist.

Across the country, street parades have become the main event, serving up like a local riff on Mardi Gras in New Orleans or a smaller version of Rio’s Carnaval. In Capiz, another province in Panay, one such festival, aptly called Capiztahan delivers its own dose of colorful street dancing, and yes, it's a spectacle worth the wait, but what sets it apart is everything else happening throughout the week-long celebrations.

The colorful street parade added some flair to the Capiztahan revelry

Capiztahan isn’t just another provincial festival penciled on the calendar; it’s Capiz flexing its heritage with style. Held annually, this month-long celebration (shortened to a week this year because of the election season) marks the founding of Capiz’s civil government in 1901, but it’s more than a history lesson. It’s where tradition meets artistry, blending the word Capiz with pista (from the Spanish word fiesta) to create a cultural revelry that pulses with pride. At its heart? A tribute to Manuel A. Roxas,  hometown hero, statesman, and the first president of the Third Republic, whose legacy still looms large in the city that bears his name.

The high energy performances left the street audience amazed

Here, the festival isn’t just focused on presenting a lively street dance parade, it’s a thorough exploration into Capiz’s character. From showcasing heirloom recipes to promoting local culture that tap into the province’s rich heritage, Capiztahan turns the attention on its roots. It’s not just a party. It’s a celebration of identity, that is proud, and unmistakably Capizeño. 

Want the lowdown on this year’s Capiztahan highlights? Rappler’s got the list right here:

Maragtas sang Capisnon Historical Parade and Cultural Performances

This spectacle drew a long line of spectators who filled the sidewalks along Roxas Avenue to Capiz Bridge, following the dancers and participants of the historical parade as they made their way to Immaculate Heart of Mary Avenue in Pueblo de Panay. The event culminated at Pueblo de Panay TechnoPark, where the dramatic dance performances were staged.

Despite the scorching sun, each contingent gave their all

The Maragtas sang Capisnon Historical Parade and Cultural Performances offered a sweeping retelling of Capiz’s storied past, reintroducing pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial narratives through a three-part structure: sugilanon (folktale), sugidanun (epic), and maragtas (history), a concept developed by historian Dr. Vicente C. Villan and other historian consultants.

Setting the bar high, the municipality of Dumarao was declared champion of both the street and drama dance categories with their theme that stirs up stories of bravery, “Pagpakigsumpong: The Guerilla Resistance of Capiz and the Fall of Terasaki, ‘Terror of Panay’ (1942–1945),” a powerful tribute to the courage of the Capiznons and the leadership of the 64th Infantry Combat Team during World War II.

In the street float category, the municipality of President Roxas was declared the grand winner for its float titled “Pagpanikasog: The Rising Tide of Empowered Capisnon Women in the Face of Challenges Posed by the Japanese Imperial.”

What sets this festival apart is its authenticity: choreography and performances, especially during the Saot Capiz folk dance competition that kicked off the first day of Capiztahan, were drawn from the 17 locally published folk dances of Capiz, as explained to us by Capiz Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office head Al Tesoro.

“You won’t see any similarities between our street dance choreography and those of other festivals,” Tesoro said.

Kima-Kima Cooking Demo and Punsyon sa Kabanwahanan

In celebration of Filipino Food Month this April, the provincial government of Capiz and the local government of Roxas City teamed up with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to spotlight the province’s rich culinary heritage through two cooking competitions showcasing Capiznon cuisine.

Winning dessert

The Philippines is a country bursting with flavor and regional flair. Because of this, one is hard-pressed to pick one region, province or city as the Culinary Capital of the Philippines, an argument we should end right now. Every province throws something appetizing and interesting into the pot, from heirloom recipes passed down through generations to local spins that elevate homegrown dishes.

Puso with creamy lasaw

But if we’re talking about a place that truly lives and breathes its food culture, Capiz is a province worth exploring for its gastronomy scene. Long hailed as a seafood hub, this province doesn’t just serve up the day’s freshest catch, it dishes out a culinary heritage as rich and deep as its waters.

The winning dish

Think of appetizers and native sweets that hit the taste buds just right: linagpang nga sisi, baye-baye, ibus, alupi, gulaman na may latik, and kilawing gulaman — just to name a few.

The good news is, the current generation is already making significant contributions. At the Kima-Kima Cooking Demo on Capiznon Delicacies held at Robinsons Place Roxas, several Capiztahan guests witnessed young culinary students step-up and show out wearing their apron and toque. With confident hands and creative spins, they served everything from the aromatic comfort of binakol na manok to fresh takes on old-school dishes, once again proving that Capiznon cuisine isn’t just thriving. It’s also evolving.

Students from Capiz State University’s Dayao Satellite Campus whose winning dish  Inubaran nga Bayuyan, clinched first place, while CAPSU’s Pilar and Pontevedra campuses took second and third, for their respective dishes of Tinum-anan nga Pakinhason and  Native nga Manok nga may Sinunog nga Lahin ka Niyog, in the Lutong Capisnon School Cooking Competition.

A culinary student in her natural element

The competition is part of the 2025 Filipino Food Month, or Buwan ng Kalutong Pilipino, celebration in Capiz. It is organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) in partnership with the Provincial Government of Capiz through the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.

Sticky kind of mouthwatering goodness

Another featured event, Punsyon, a Hiligaynon term meaning "banquet", highlights a traditional communal feast commonly seen at weddings and other special occasions. The event includes a cook-off featuring participants from various local government units (LGUs).

Surambaw Seafood Fest

Capiz’s Capiztahan Surambaw Seafood Fest, named after the age-old lift-net fishing method, is a fête celebrating all things fresh, flavorful, and proudly local — from daily catch to cherished delicacies. Held in Roxas City, the Seafood Capital of the Philippines, this another anticipated Capiztahan event showcases mountains of the day’s freshest haul: crabs, shrimp, shellfish, puyoy (water eel), and more, all expertly prepared by nearly 20 of the city’s top restaurants and hotels.

Flood of seafood choices

GMA’s Farm to Table host and MasterChef Pinoy Edition champ Chef JR Royol, who served as one of the judges for both the Lutong Capisnon School Cooking Competition and the Punsyon LGU cook-off, couldn’t stop raving on social media about the “hundreds and hundreds” of kilos of seafood on deck. For just 999 pesos, guests lined up for an all-you-can-eat, once-a-year seafood feast that delivered big flavor and bigger pride.

My plate was instantly piled high with a giant crab, a few shrimps, and several oyster shells, leaving barely any room for rice, which I solved by making at least two return trips to the buffet table.

Despite missing some of Capiztahan’s major attractions, including musical concerts headlined by artists like KZ Tandingan, a dazzling pyro musical display, and more, the events we did witness offered a deeper understanding into the rich culture, folklore and history of Capiz. Beyond the fun and fanfare, the festival revealed a ton of insights about the province, leaving us with not just memories of celebration, but a renewed appreciation for Roxas City and its enduring traditions.

This article first appeared on Rappler.