This capital town of Antique province will revive its Tiringbanay Festival from April 15 to May 1, as an expression of thanksgiving since the event was suspended during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Tiringbanay, which means coming together, has for its theme “Hugyaw sa Pagdayaw (celebrating and praising)” in honor of the town’s patron St. Joseph the Worker.

Mayor Elmer Untaran, during a press conference Friday, said the local government unit (LGU) worked hard to deliver services to its people amid the pandemic.

Its economy remains robust with the opening of businesses, banks, and other establishments.

“Our municipality is a multi-awardee because of good governance that we have to be thankful for,” Untaran said.

The municipality was conferred the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in 2021 and 2022, apart from awards it received from other national government agencies.

Various events have been lined up to celebrate the festival such as street dancing and float parade, Search for Miss San Jose de Buenavista, mass and procession, music festival, and merrymaking.

Vice mayor Justin Encarnacion, in the same press conference, said that 18 local restaurants will open their stalls offering their best dishes at the Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park Tennis Court during the start of the festival on April 15.

“There will also be a band to entertain the diners,” Encarnacion said.

A basketball tournament for tricycle drivers will be held from April 15 to May 1, a trade fair on April 28 to May 1, and jobs fair on April 28.

Candidates of the Search for Miss San Jose de Buenavista, who were presented during the press conference, will distribute food packs and school supplies to the indigenous community children as their community outreach program in Barangay Badiang on April 23. (PNA)