The banks of Himoga-an River in Sagay City pulsed with life once again with “Adlaw sang Suba”, years after the pandemic hiatus.
Sagay’s beloved pre-Charter Day tradition, “Adlaw sa Suba”, made a vibrant comeback, this time hosted by Barangay Paraiso, following last year’s revival in the neighboring barangay of Fabrica June 10.
Designed to raise awareness and encourage the preservation of Sagay’s longest and most vital river, the daylong affair gathered residents, officials, and stakeholders in a shared mission to protect the Himoga-an River and its ecosystem.
The program began with the usual community cleanup drive, followed by an opening program highlighted with competitions at the waterway, including “paddle boat races”, “Pamunit Sa Suba” or river fishing, and “Salum Kayog” or shell diving.
The contest and event were staged by the Himoga-an Riverwatch and Ecotourism Association, led by Jun Grandez.
This community-led initiative was first introduced in 2009 by the City Information and Tourism Office head and tourism operations supervising officer Helen Cutillar, under the administration of then Mayor Alfredo Maranon Jr.
Cutillar said she is delighted to witness the same energy and passion from residents even after the event’s hiatus.
“Together, let us continue to do our share in protecting this precious heritage of our race for the next generation,” she said in a press release June 17.
Grandez welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to initiate the activity.
Paraiso barangay captain Pete Flores reminded everyone of the river’s vital role in sustaining livelihood, particularly during the sugar milling off-season when fishing becomes a lifeline.
“Himoga-an River is alive,” he said. “Its ‘kayog’ shells and freshwater fish feed families when the fields fall silent.”
Meanwhile, Fabrica kagawad Mark Jun Cuaycong urged the community to stop throwing garbage into the river, and to cherish and care for the natural heritage.
Lopez Sugar Corporation’s head of Environmental and Safety Compliance, Engr. Rufino Mombay, said their 90-year relationship with the river was bolstered by conservation activities, such as planting trees, maintaining farms, and regularly conducting river cleanups.
Negros Occidental 2nd District Rep. Alfredo Marañon III, who crossed the river on a small boat to inspect its banks during the event, praised the community’s collective effort.
“The Himoga-an River is regaining its beauty because of your unity. Let’s sustain this momentum,” he said.
The program was also attended by Fabrica punong barangay Merle Demavibas, Engr. Wysdale Carman, forester Remelyn Boca, Danny Moraca, SK chairman Jensenn Ray Bancolinos, Triskelion Paraiso, Paraiso first responders, the police, and other stakeholders.
“Adlaw sa Suba” is a hall of fame awardee under the Sports and Wellness city level category of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ Pearl Awards for Best Tourism Practices, the city said. ||
