By Mark Lawrence G. Articuna
Serving as a significant contribution to preserving the Guimarasnon’s identity and the province’s intangible cultural heritage, Dr. Hazel P. Villa, an associate professor of
the West Visayas State University-College of Education, turned over her doctoral dissertation to the Provincial Government of Guimaras during its 31st provincehood celebration and Manggahan Festival, held on May 22, 2023, at the Capitol Event Area, Jordan, Guimaras.
“Ang Mariit kag Palhi nga Lawud (The Uncanny and Accursed Sea): The Waterlore of Guimaras,” is a product of two years of collecting tales from the surrounding seas and shores of the province — a dissertation of the first of its kind, with legends, 89 tales of the supernatural, animal tales with 22 turtle stories and 10 for shark tales, and a total of 16 variants for genealogical accounts of where Guimarasnons originally came.
“Guimaras holds a special place in my heart because it is where I did much of my journalism work as a Visayas correspondent of the Philippine Daily Inquirer. And while going around, I realized that they have so many stories waiting to be collected and studied. That became an inspiration for me,” said Dr. Villa, who finished her doctoral degree in English at the Silliman University in Dumaguete City. She is also the adviser of SILAK Media, the COE’s official college publication.
Governor JC Rahman A. Nava graciously accepted the dissertation paper, serving as a symbolic channel between lore knowledge and the people of Guimaras.
“As for Guimaras, which has always been a place of leisure and tourist attraction, these waterlore add to the appeal and charisma of the province and encourage the preservation of natural and cultural heritage,” said John Chino Cudo, a third-year Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) Major in English student of Dr. Villa and a resident of Jordan, Guimaras.
Meanwhile, the sun-kissed coastlines of Guimaras sparkle with joyous anticipation
as they celebrate their provincehood anniversary on May 22, some 31 years after the plebiscite was held in 1992 to ratify the approval of its conversion as a regular and
full-fledged province.
With the smell of tropical air infusing the evening with the sweetest flavors of joy and festivity, the province also celebrates the successful comeback and full-blast
celebration of the 30th Manggahan Festival after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Photos by Pretty Pearl Kate Serilo
HISTORIC MOMENT. Dr. Hazel P. Villa, hands over a copy of her dissertation to Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava, in a groundbreaking moment in inspiring scholarly pursuits on the heritage of Guimaras. The turnover happened during the
31st provincehood celebration and Manggahan Festival, held on May 22, 2023, at the Capitol Event Area, Jordan, Guimaras
TALE AS OLD AS TIME. Guimaras Governor JC Rahman Nava speaks to his constituents on how the Iloilo sub-province of Guimaras became a regular province in 1992, the development it made throughout its 31 years of provincehood, and the launching of the #KabataanFIRST agenda for his three-year tenure as governor.
IT ALL LEADS TO THIS. Dr. Hazel P. Villa, associate professor of the College of Education and adviser of SILAK Media, waits for the public handover of her dissertation at the grounds of Capitol Event Area, Jordan, Guimaras.