First Talahong Festival successful

By FELIPE V. CELINO

SAPI-AN, Capiz - The first-ever Talahong Festival celebrated here on May 9 and 10 was declared a success.

The two-day activity was graced by Capiz 2nd District Cong. Fredenil Castro, mayors and Provincial Board members.

Talahong is coined from the words talaba (oysters) and tahong (green mussels) which are abundant in Sapi-an.

Castro congratulated Mayor Arturo “Turic” Agapito Orosco, of Sapi-an, and other town officials for launching the festival.

He also urged officials and the fisherfolks to protect and preserve the marine resources of the town.

The solon hopes that the festival will get the attention of tourists both domestic and foreign.

Castro vowed to help other local officials in the 2nd District promote their local products through “Pasalubong Centers” that will be put up in areas where “roll-on, roll-off” buses pass.

Orosco said the Talahong Festival promotes the town’s local products, especially its sea foods.

The mayor said Sapi-an has the capacity to produce sea foods, specifically oysters and green mussels. He said the town’s delicacies have a distinct taste - superior from those produced by other towns and provinces.

The Sangguniang Bayan passed a resolution recently declaring the second Friday and Saturday of May of every year as Talahong Festival days.

The municipality has identified oysters and green mussels as its flagship products.

Originally, Sapian has its annual “Tilibyugan Festival” in line with its religious fiesta on July 21 to 26 in honor of Patron Saint Anne.

Sapi-an, a coastal town, has 10 barangays. It has more than hundred of fisherfolks growing oysters and green mussels./PN