The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Antique will host here a “Parada ng Lahi” on Dec. 19, a lively cultural parade showcasing Antique’s festivals.A

DepEd Antique Education Program Supervisor Dr. Rodrigo Sarapanan Jr., the event’s focal person, said in an interview on Thursday that the 22 school districts of DepEd Antique will join the activity, highlighting the festivals of the province’s 18 municipalities.

The Parada ng Lahi is part of the month-long Binirayan Festival that kicked off on Dec. 1.

“The cultural parade will be participated in by teachers from the different districts,” he said.

Teachers, dressed in their vibrant local attire, will then participate in a parade or street dance to the rhythm of the municipal theme songs.

Sarapanan said the parade will start at the Antique National School and head towards Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park, where the teachers will perform traditional dances.

The Antique provincial capitol compound is situated in this town.

“The Antique provincial government has prepared prizes in the form of school projects for the winning groups,” Sarapanan said.

The local government units and winning school districts will collaboratively identify the projects. He said the champion will receive PHP100,000; 2nd place (PHP90,000); 3rd place (PHP80,000); 4th place (PHP70,000); and 5th place (PHP60,000). Consolation prizes of PHP50,000 will be awarded to each participating group.

The Binirayan Festival, a provincial celebration, began in 1974 and is held every December, in time for Christmas, when many Antiqueños come home for their break.

It is a cultural and historical event that marks the arrival of the 10 Bornean datus, who established their first settlement in Barangay Malandog in the town of Hamtic. (PNA)