Mythologies of the Otón People
Oton, officially the Municipality of Oton ([ɔˈtɔn]; Kinaray-a: Banwa kang Oton, Hiligaynon: Banwa sang Oton, Tagalog: Bayan ng Oton), is a 1st class municipality in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 98,509 people making it as the most populous town in the province and the entire Panay island. It is the second oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines after Cebu, founded in 1566. Oton is a part of the Metro Iloilo–Guimaras area, centered on Iloilo City. Oton, formerly known as Ogtong, has a rich history dating back to the settlement of Malays in the area. Evidence of this early settlement includes the discovery of a gold death mask in Barangay San Antonio during the 1960s. The town's name, Oton, was mentioned in records from the Yuan Dynasty in the 1300s, referred to as in Hokkien Chinese: 啞陳; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: A-tân. The arrival of the Spanish in the mid-16th century marked a significant turning point in Oton's history. The Spanish designated Oton as the capital of the Panay, Negros, and Romblon. Spanish missionaries used Oton as a base to spread Catholicism to neighboring settlements, including Jaro, Iloilo, Tigbauan, Cordova, Alimodian, Igbaras, Tubungan, Camando, Damilisan, and Tiolas. Oton played a vital role in the Manila galleon trade, as new agricultural products from the trade route arrived in the town. Many ships traveling from Cebu would dock in Oton before continuing on to Manila. However, Oton's location made it vulnerable to pirate attacks, prompting the Spanish colonial authorities to relocate the capital a few kilometers away to La Punta, which is now known as Iloilo City Proper, in the 1600s. This move was intended to enhance the town's defense against pirate raids. In the 21st century, Oton is not only an agricultural town but it is also booming and slowly becoming a commercial center with investments by Vista Land. The company is investing in a mega-project township that will house the largest central business district in Iloilo.
History and archaeology combined dramatizes the richness of Oton’s culture. The town takes pride of being the gateway of Christianity, along with Cebu and Manila, since it was also the focus of Spanish colonial domination. These beliefs gave meaning to the celebration of Katagman Festival. Katagman was the old name of Oton under the leadership of Datu Paiburong long before the Spaniards came. It was recorded that Miguel Lopez de Legaspi brought knowledge of Spain to Ogtong (now Oton) in 1566. They settled in the area where it became the center of administration of Iloilo. It was an era of great artistic endeavor and a place as an area of power at the heart of the region. The town also expresses their pride as a once flourishing Malay Port (somewhere near the Batiano River) where regular trade and cultural contacts already existed even before the coming of Spanish authorities in the country. Written records reveal that Chinese and Southeast Asian ceramics found in the Oton tell the story of how the town forged social and commercial ties with China and its neighbors. Trade between China and the Philippines was firmly instituted with the discovery of Chinese porcelain trade items from our coastal towns. In the 1960s anthropologists Alfredo Evangelista and F. Landa Jocano excavated in Barangay San Antonio in Oton and found a death mask made of very thin gold with one piece used to cover the eye and the other piece placed on the nose. Pre-Spanish ceramic trade wares had also been retrieved. Golden necklaces and other semi-precious stones were also recovered. It was the practice of early people especially in the Visayan areas to put a death mask on the chieftain. Being the one who is the most powerful, when he dies he would be buried with ceramics because, according accounts, there is a possibility of being accepted in heaven. The skeletal remains and burial items could help determine the people's level of wealth or power in society.
Oton, Iloilo, will celebrate its 446th Foundation Day Anniversary alongside its annual Katagman Festival on April 30 – May 3, 2018. The festivity is all about Oton’s history. It is one of Iloilo’s successful community events and promotes the towns’ wonderful stories and places. Celebrated at the heart of the charming old town, Katagman Festival began in 2004 and has grown each year. Every May Ogtonganons explore their history through series of special events highlighted by the Music, Dance and Theater Competition at 6 p.m. on May 3 (Thursday) with the Street Dancing Competition at 4 p.m. After 15 very successful years the event is firmly established as a major fixture on the local festival calendar attracting many. This year’s theme, “Kasaysayan sang Mascara nga Bulawan Aton Balikan, Masanag nga Buasdamlag Aton Maaguman,” activities, exhibitions and programs unfolds throughout the 4-day celebration that cater to everybody with series of special events starting from April 30 (Monday) with the Opening of Agri-Fair, Garden Show and Plant Sale at 9 a.m. in front of Annex B Municipal Building, Mass at 2:30 p.m., Parade at 4 p.m., Opening Program at 6 p.m. at the Plaza and Hiyas Sang Katagman at 6:30 p.m. at the Plaza. May 1 (Tuesday) Katagman Fun Run/ Walk at 5:30 a.m. at the Plaza, On-the-Spot-Painting Contest at 7:30 a.m. at the Heritage Lagoon, Bugal Sang Ogtonganon – Awarding of Outstanding Ogtonganons and Young Achievers, Clean and Green, Modelong Gulayan and Top/ Prompt Business Tax Payers at 6 p.m. at the Sheridan Boutique Resort. May 2 (Wednesday) Sinadya sa Baybay and Motorboat and Baroto Race at 7 a.m. Fishport, Laro ng Lahi at 8 a.m., Plaza and Zumbathon sa Katagman at 5 p.m., Plaza; May 3 (Thursday) 446th Foundation Day Mass at 2 p.m., Street Dancing Competition at 4 p.m., Oton Plaza and Music, Dance and Theater Competition at 6 p.m., Oton Plaza.
Comments
Post a Comment