Mantawi Festival
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The Mantawi Festival is an annual festival celebrated every 7th of May in Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines.
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[edit] History
The city of Mandaue and the festival is named after the vine (some say tree) that grew in abundantly in the shores of the Cove of Cebu. The cove was first sighted by Ferdinand Magellan on 7 April 1521 while in search for food and supplies. On the site a settlement was then built. The discovery of the cove, present day Tipolo, brought about the establishment of the first drydocking facility in the islands. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came back to the Philippine archipelago after almost 5 decades from the death of Ferdinand Magellan and built the Philippines' first drydock in the shores of Tipolo, about a few meters from the San Miguel Brewery Complex[1]. The drydock was built by The facility served the Galleon Ships that plied the Galleon Trade. From that humble beginning emerged the industrial hub of Southern Philippines, the city of Mandaue[2].
[edit] Festival
The founding of the settlement Mandawe on 7 April 1521 was full of historical value and significance in the economic history of the province of Cebu and of the region. In order to commemorate the economic significance of the city’s foundation , a festival was conceptualized and came to be known as the Mantawi Festival[3].
The festival was a project started by the former mayor of Mandaue City, Thadeo Ouano. It was first celebrated on the 33rd charter day celebration of Mandaue, August 30, 2002. The next year the day of the festival was changed to last Sunday of August since it overwhelmed the city's charter day celebration the year before. In 2004, the festival was stopped due to organizational problems. In to 2005 the date was again moved to May 7 to coincide with the city's fiesta celebration[4].
The festival is a rediscovery of Mandaue City’s rich cultural heritage. Its historical past affirms its present identity as a highly urbanized industrial center and a new tourism destination where arts and culture become tools for progress and prosperity[5].
The highlight of the festival is a parade of street dancers and dioramas showcasing the history and culture of Mandaue accompanied by brass instruments. Industries in the city join in the celebration with there creatively-crafted floats. Other participants range from the government officials, teachers and to students. In 2005, the festival was opened for participation from places outside Cebu. The festival also includes the parade of higantes (giants)--The people who shaped the present Mandaue City.
The festival culminates in the awarding of the winners of the street dance and float competition followed by a grand fireworks display.
[edit] Scandals
Historical Accuracy
The festival was drag to scandal when member of the city’s council of elders questioned the authenticity of the festival. Guadalupe Latonio, an educator, said the first festival organizers said the Mantawi is a vine but then later on said it was a tree[6].
Also the existence of Datu Lambuzzan, the said chieftain of Mandaue before the Spanish Period was questioned.
