“BINIRAY FESTIVAL” (Romblon, Romblon)

Biniray Festivals held every 2nd week of January. This festivals features a fluvial parade with the image of Sto. Nino on the lead boat, gaily decorated with colorful buntings. The festivities usually lasted for a week celebration filled with ethnic dances and music. Various fun-filled activities are lined up to show case the rich culture and Christian Faith of Romblomanons.
The fiesta is highlighted by a flotilla of vessels that circle Romblon Bay seven times, marking the Spanish galleon’s fruitless attempts to remove the Sto. Nino from the province. This is followed by a colorful parade of marchers adorned with flowers and brightly painted costumes and faces. The procession is then proceeded by another parade of the Santo Nino images. It is carried around town in a carriage filled with beautiful flowers. We are free to join the parade with their costumes and paint all over their face and body.

 

In Biniray Festival, we celebrate the competition what we called “Ati-atihan”. On each barrios has at least one tribe to participate and all participants they used colorful costumes and painted costumes. “HALA BIRA” also used during Ati-atihan Festivals that most spectators are shouting on the street during the celebration. “HALA BIRA” is an indispensable word during ati-atihan.

The Biniray Festival is another marvelous opportunity for Romblomanons and other travelers to experience the rich history, pageantry and hospitality of Romblon.
The Biniray Festival is one way of giving thanks to the residents’ bountiful life and prosperous economy.