History of Haladaya

Cebu has many municipalities each bearing unique history, culture, festivities and traditions. Festivals of each municipality represent their culture and way of living. Daanbantayan is one of the municipalities of Cebu which is famous for their festival, the “Haladaya in Daanbantayan”.

Haladaya Festival is taken from Daanbantayan’s old name “Kandaya” in honor to the area’s local chieftain “Datu Daya”. The chieftain was said to be the protector of the area from foreign invaders and Moros. Haladaya serves an honor to Datu Daya which actually means “halad kang datu daya”. It is celebrated every last week of August.

The participants of this festival come from different schools and barangays in the municipality. They compete in street dancing with their colorful Moro inspired costumes that depict the livelihood of the municipality, which is fishing and farming. The dances of the Haladaya are inspired by the wars that took place in the area during the chieftain’s time.