Rey Anthony Chiu

Abatan River again takes on the festive beat this May 17 as communities riverside prepare a festive banquet for homecoming Boholanos attending the Tigum Bol-anon sa Tibuok Kalibutan (TBTK) this month. TBTK is that once in every three year gathering of Boholanos who live abroad to pool ideas and resources on how to better develop Bohol even more. This also provides the venue for those born outside Bohol to trace their roots through programmed immersion activities and cultural showcases here, Lutgardo Labad, Teatro Abatan artistic director shares. Timed for the first time during the fiesta month in Bohol, the TBTK brings back to Bohol expats who also look at Bohol’s development priorities for them to put up investments. While fiestas happen everyday in Bohol in May, in Abatan however, balikbayans partake on a different banquet. “Pista sa Abatan, is a unique opportunity to showcase to Boholanos who may have been thirsting for the culture they sorely missed when they settled abroad for good,” explains Emilia Roslinda, event coordinator for the May 17 performances.

To be set in an especially lit Abatan River theater at the Main Village Center of the Abatan in Cortes, the night would be filled with the cultural promise of savory cultural delicacies ranging from theater, music and performances by cultural collectives set up to complement the Abatan River Community Life Tours, she adds. “It will be a great opportunity for homecoming Boholanos to look back on their roots through a cultural immersion cooked by the cultural talents of the people in the communities along the Abatan River,” states Abatan River Development Management Council member (ARDMC) and artistic director Labad. “We helped communities along the river to form themselves into cultural collectives so they can sustain the work of community based tourism with the communities eloquently articulating life along the river through artistic expression,” he adds.

We envision to make Pista sa Abatan a spectacular night of unforgettable memories Boholanos can bring home as soon as they step off Bohol, the multi-awarded culture and artist, Labad said. During a coordination meeting for the Pista sa Abatan, Roslinda said community theaters and talents from the towns of Cortes, Balilihan, Catigbian, Maribojoc and Antequera are performing original dance dramas, musical theaters, skits and musical numbers themed in such a way that snippets of the life along the river in Bohol is seen. There is so much to be seen, histories, traditions and great entertainment that would certainly make you truly proud you are a Boholano, Labad said, referring to Pista sa Abatan.