Iloilo Hangout

Municipality of Lambunao and the Binanog Festival

Banog bird (local hawk) an endangered species
found at the WVSU Wildlife and Conservation
Park in Brgy. Jayubo, Lambunao

Let’s Hangout in Lambonao, Iloilo

Binanog Festival : The Dance of the Hawks

(The News Today, By Bombette G. Marin, January 11, 2008, Iloilo City, Philippines, thenewstoday.info)

One strand of Iloilo’s cultural makeup is formed by the celebration of its local festivals. It is in this event that Arts such as dances and songs have long played a central role in the life of the Ilonggos, with each ethnicity developing its own distinct artistic styles. Festivals are avenues of indigenous dances that perform to keep culture alive and to keep passing on stories to our young people.

Representing the cultural link to the Bukidnons of Lambunao, Binanog Festival made its first appearance six years ago. This totally traditional festival is unique in that adults and children take an integral part in the traditional dances.

The festival has grown over the years to become an annual tradition for people around the municipality. The binanog dance is a traditional dance like the dances of indigenous people rather than a theatrical performance.

Dancers perform their mesmerizing steps as part of one of Iloilo’s oldest unbroken dance traditions. Exponents of fine dance and music, Binanog create an awe inspiring atmosphere.

The Binanog dance brings the soul of the Bukidnons to the limelight. It celebrates love and the spirit of the people as they perform to the symbolic beating of a gong. It is a simple dance of concentric circles based on the mating of banog birds (hawk). Each of the movements represents a commitment to action and involvement: the extension of the arms, the dignity of various foot works, and the recuperation of stillness. Performers pace themselves as they move to the steady heartbeat of the gong, they become one collective body. They dance for attention with each other. From the heart of their movements, the steps depict courtly pastime and stories that have been handed down over the generations.

Hangout in Iloilo and join us in the celebration of Ilonggos’ and Lambonaonons’ pride: The Binanog Festival!!