THIS WEEK’S MILESTONES

May 13 to 19

May 13, 1945

Dalton Pass, formerly called Balete Pass, in the town of Sta. Fe in Nueva Vizcaya province, was declared free from the Imperial Japanese Army after Filipino guerrillas and the 25th Division of the US Army drove away the opposing forces. The battle took the lives of 7,750 Japanese soldiers, 685 American soldiers and 285 Filipino fighters and left thousands others wounded. A historical marker was built on the summit of Dalton Pass to pay homage to the militiamen who fought for the liberation of the Philippines. In 1995, then President Fidel Ramos issued a proclamation declaring every May 10 to 13 as the anniversary of the Battle of Balete Pass. Dalton Pass was named after the assistant commander of the US Army Division, Brig. Gen. James Leo Dalton II, whowas shot by a Japanese sniper.

May 16, 2012

The town of Cabuyao in Laguna province became a city by virtue of Republic ActNo. 10163, signed by then President Benigno Aquino III. In August of the same year, a plebiscite was held to ratify the conversion of the town to a city. This made Cabuyao the fifth city in Laguna, after San Pablo, Calamba, Sta. Rosa, and Biñan. The nameCabuyao was derived from “kabuyaw,” a tree endemic in the municipality.

May 15 Festivals honoring San Isidro Labrador

Numerous towns in the country pay tribute to the patron saint of farmers on his feast day. The most famous celebration of San Isidro Labrador is the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon province. The agricultural town, which is listed by the Department of Tourism as a must-see destination every May, gives thanks to the bountiful harvest. The festival is known for rice-based decorations painted in various colors called “kiping.”

The town of Pulilan in Bulacan province also has a festival in honor of San Isidro Labrador known as the Kneeling Carabao Festival. Colorful floats are pulled by carabaos during the street parade. One of the event highlights is the kneeling of carabaos before a church.

Other municipalities that celebrate the feast day of their patron saint are Angono in Rizal province, Labrador in Pangasinan province, Dinalungan in Aurora province, San Fernando in Cebu province, and Mogpog town in Marinduque province. The city of Malaybalay in Bukidnon province also honors San Isidro Labrador.

May 17 to 19 Fertility dance

Married womenwho could not bear children perform dance rituals in the town of Obando in Bulacan province. Participants dance around three different saints depending on their cause and devotion—Sta. Clara (for those who want a daughter), San Pascual Baylon (for those who want a son) and Our Lady of Salambao (for good harvest of fishermen.)

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, nuevavizcaya.gov.ph, gov.ph, tpb.gov.ph, pangasinan.gov.ph