“Dinahit” is a term used by local folks in Pandan in referring to the wind-driven (layag) sailing vessels with two outriggers used by our maritime ancestors, the Austronesian in going to Pandan. Dinahit was derived from local term Pinagadahit, meaning to drag to shore.
Over the centuries, the Dinahit survived colonial prohibitions and technological competition. It sailed the surrounding waters of Catanduanes communities. It is the epitome of the triumph of tradition over foreign cultural domination.
It was founded in 1994 by Romeo A. Aco and the then UP History Professor Efren Isorena who is also a Pandananon conceptualized the idea of having a cultural celebration that distinctly Pandananon. The idea was conceived from the laters thesis on Maritime tradition and transmigration while they were sailing off the shore of Brgy. Canlubi along with Mr. Eddie Ibardaloza whose father was a boat maker whose architecture is a perfect semblance of the boat used by the Austronesian migrants.
Its foundation was made possible thru the able assistance of the then Vice-Governor Severo Alcantara, the Kaibigan ng Kalikasan o KAKA now Green Phils, under Mr. Sarge Colambo and the then newly founded Pandananon Student Association. It was also thru our media partners, the then Catanduanes Islander of Mr. Rey Alcantara, Mr. Mel Rima of DXGB and the participation of PTV4.
Canlubi, the host barangay in 1994 was an able partner in making this event happen.
Now, it is recognized as the official festival of Pandan town and has been labeled as the First and the oldest festival celebration in the island-province of Catanduanes.
Its early celebration after its first staging has moved around the fishing activity of the Dinahit. Today it will be corrected and be aligned to why the Dinahit festival was conceptualized and made to happen in 1994. It is a celebration of the maritime migration using the vessel (the dinahit) as used by the early migrant to this island province.
2018 Activities
DINAHIT FEST SCHEDULE
APRIL 2 – MONDAY
> Fun Run – 5am
>Thanksgiving Mass – 7am
> Opening of Dinahit Camp and Food Plaza Until April 8) – 1pm
> Opening of TNK – Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan and Travel
and Trade Fair with Hilot Wellness Booth (until April 8) – 2pm
> Caragumoy Weaving and Broom Making Contest – 3pm
APRIL 3 – TUESDAY
> Layag Painting Contest – 8am
> Parada sa Dagat – 1pm
Assembly Area: PSP
> Cultural Parade – 2pm
> Opening Ceremonies
> Dinahit Pioneers’ Night & Firedance Showdown – 7pm
APRIL 4 – WEDNESDAY
> Earth Day – Mangrove Planting
ILAWOD (Del Norte/Del Sur) – 8am
> Hilot Wellness – 8am
> Padyak Race – 1pm
> Wanders.Wanderers.Waves.Winds. –
Kite Flying Contest – 2pm
APRIL 5 – THURSDAY
> Earth Day – Tree Planting – ILAYA (Napo/Libod) – 9am
> Hilot Wellness – 9am
> Pakuyas sa Honasan featuring Royal Rumble – 9am
> Sky.Sun.Sea.Self – Larong Pinoy – 1pm
> Kurit Pandan 3: A Mural Painting – 3pm
APRIL 6 – FRIDAY
> Pakuyas sa Honasan – 9am
> Regatta Leg 1 – (Layag) – 9am
APRIL 7 – SATURDAY
>Regatta Leg 2 (Paddle) – 8am
> COYrugitahan – Kurugitahan Contest (in memory of Cocoy
Santelices) – 10am
> Registration – Skimboarding Competition – 9am
> Road Adventure Camp 4: A Fun Ride and Memorial Trek
Registration – 10am
> Sand.Sea.Skim – Skimboarding Competition – 1pm
> Memorial Trek – Road Adventure Camp 4 – 1pm
> REGGAE FESTIVAL featuring: Tropical Depression
(with Santigwar, Higher Ground, Atipo-Rock Bands) – 7pm
APRIL 8 – SUNDAY
> Regatta Finals – 8am
> Memorial Trek – Road Adventure Camp 4
> Carabao Race
> Dinahit Night – Awarding Ceremony and Disco sa Honasan –
7pm
APRIL 9 – MONDAY ARAW ng KAGITINGAN
APRIL 18-23
> Reef Guideship Training
APRIL 23, 2018
>Launching of PANDAN NEMO PARK
