Odiongan Town Fiesta
Odiongan celebrates fiesta every April 5 of the year and by means of “Kanidugan Festival” this festival started on 2003 emposed by former Mayor Estanislao “Diday” Famatiga. It is called Kanidugan Festival because the main product of Odiongan is “coconut” in Odionganon dialect “nidog”. The competitors clothers were made of coconut husk, leaves or any design made from coconut tree. I have remember when the festival first started, everybody were excited because after so many years of celebrating the Town Fiesta, a new change has occured and if i will not mistaken that time every Barangay has an entry, one tribe is composed of three barangay’s (Barangay is the smallest form of government). Every afternoon you will heard drum beat, other tribe’s were practising their dance movements along the streets of Odiongan carrying their tribe’s name. Our barangay belongs to POCAMAPAT tribe (Poctoy, Amatong and Pato-o). My grand mother saw the other clothes for our tribe dancers, it was made of coconut of course, I cannot explain what is it but it is part of coconut leaves or the trunk. I had help varnishing them…it is funny that after the competition the dancers develop a red marks on their skin because of the coconut clothes. Oh, well every dancers were painted of body color.
Anyway, The festival started with a long grand parade around the town, afterwards the competition will begin. The first ground demonstration or competition take place on the beach area near the PAROLA. (which is now called Bay Walk). The succeeding year it was held in the play ground of Odiongan South Central Elementary School. Different tribes will show their talents and creativity, they will be given 12 minutes to perform or it depends upon the alloted time given by the management.
Winners can take home prizes in cash. (Champion, 1st placer and 2nd placer).
The Kanidugan Festival before were exclusively for the barangay’s of Odiongan but since 2008 until now, any town from Romblon can join the Festival and compete.
Watch the Kanidugan Festival in You tube: