SAPIAN FESTIVAL

TALAHONG FESTIVAL

Talahong has been derived from two words “talaba” and “tahong”.

Mayor Orosco and his wife Evangeline organized to festival to promote the two seafood resources abundant in their town.

It was learned that more than 100 sacks of “talaba” and “tahong” are being disposed for sale to other parts of Western Visayas every day.

Originally, Sapian celebrates the Tilibyugan and Religious Fiesta from July 21 – 26 every year. It has been observed for a few decades with its own distinctiveness in preserving the cultural practice and traditions. The feast is celebrated in honor of the Patron Saint, Saint Anne.

On the other hand, the birth of Talahong Festival was very enormous. It was conceptualized based on entrepreneurial and tourism purposes to trigger the economic growth of the whole town.

Hence, showcasing of seafood products particularly the “talaba” and “tahong” is the highlight of the two-day event. It is also the infusion of arts and culture that will serve as a tool in promoting Sapian as its best and provide revenue for the fisherfolks, travel, operators, stakeholders and the local government.

The Municipality of Sapian is one of a coastal town in the Province of Capiz. On the northern portion of Sapian is Sapian Bay which covers nine out of ten barangays. Talaba and Tahong are very rich in production in these areas. Since Sapian is abundant with seafood products, it was the initiative of the Local Governement Unit to organize a Talahong Festival (Talaba-Tahong) every 2nd Friday and 2nd Saturday of May each year that promotes the local products as its best.

That is why most of its local products are from marine resources. More then a hundred of fisher folks operates as grower, and this is basically the source of income of most of the people living along the coast.

The basis is not only the capacity of production to supply the market demand, but because the main selling point is the distinct taste compared to talaba and tahong produced from other.

Talahong is conceptualized based on entrepreneur and tourism purposes of showcasing seafood products particularly the tahong and talaba. It is also identified as Sapian’s flagship commodity.