- The city of Mandaue and the festival is named after the vine (some say tree) that grew in abundantly in the shores of the Cove of Cebu. The cove was first sighted by Ferdinand Magellan on 7 April 1521 while in search for food and supplies. On the site a settlement was then built. The discovery of the cove, present day Tipolo, brought about the establishment of the first drydocking facility in the islands. In 1565, Miguel Lopez de Legazpi came back to the Philippine archipelago after almost 5 decades from the death of Ferdinand Magellan and built the Philippines' first drydock in the shores of Tipolo, about a few meters from the San Miguel Brewery Complex.[1] The drydock was built by The facility served the Galleon Ships that plied the Galleon Trade. From that humble beginning emerged the industrial hub of Southern Philippines, the city of Mandaue.[2]
The founding of the settlement Mandawe on 7 April 1521 was full of historical value and significance in the economic history of the province of Cebu and of the region. In order to commemorate the economic significance of the city’s foundation , a festival was conceptualized and came to be known as the Mantawi Festival.[2]
The festival was a project started by the former mayor of Mandaue City, Thadeo Ouano. It was first celebrated on the 33rd charter day celebration of Mandaue, August 30, 2002. The next year the day of the festival was changed to last Sunday of August since it overwhelmed the city's charter day celebration the year before. In 2004, the festival was stopped due to organizational problems. In to 2005 the date was again moved to May 7 to coincide with the city's fiesta celebration.[3]
The festival is a rediscovery of Mandaue City’s rich cultural heritage. Its historical past affirms its present identity as a highly urbanized industrial center and a new tourism destination where arts and culture become tools for progress and prosperity.
The highlight of the festival is a parade of street dancers and dioramas showcasing the history and culture of Mandaue accompanied by brass instruments. Industries in the city join in the celebration with there creatively-crafted floats. Other participants range from the government officials, teachers and to students. In 2005, the festival was opened for participation from places outside Cebu. The festival also includes the parade of higantes (giants)--The people who shaped the present Mandaue City.
The festival culminates in the awarding of the winners of the street dance and float competition followed by a grand fireworks display. - Mantawi Festival features a historical parade consisting of street dancing and diorama floats reliving Mandaue’s history. Neighboring cities and municipalities of teachers, students, employees, and other officials participate together in performing a presentation depicting the discovery of Mandaue in 1521. The dancers utilize native delicacies, with the common means of living of Mandaue, broom and salt making to dance movements while known corporations and establishments contributes to the floats partaking in the event.
Also a highlight of the festival is the parade of higantes, representing the superior Spaniards who gave ample influence that shaped the Mandaue today. Culminating the event is the awarding of winners of the street dancing and the competition of floats, and the much-awaited display of fireworks.
Through the music made by brass instruments and dance interpretations, the annual festivity is relived and vividly expressed the history and heritage of Mandaue. What makes the Mantawi Festival different from any other festivals is that it focuses on culture as it showcase Mandaue as a thriving hub of trading. - origin
- Legend speaks of a clinging vine known to the people as mantawi which is abundant in the coastal areas that is believed to where Mandaue is named after and discovered by the Spanish conquistadores on April 7, 1521.
Barangay Tipolo, formerly known as Cove of Cebu, was the location of the first drydocking facility, and served the Spanish Galleon Ships, after Magellan settled in Mandaue, once called Mandawe, as his route to his destination, the Island of Sugbo in search for food and supplies, on his way back to Spain. This settlement founded on April 7th, 1521 and plays a significant value to the history of Cebu. In commemoration of the significance of the city’s foundation, people came up with a conceptualization of a festival which was later known as Mantawi Festival.
As a symbol of the city’s growth, Mantawi Festival is celebrated in tribute to the mantawi vine. It binds the people of Mandaue and links the city to the rest of the world. Therefore, the celebration of Mantawi Festival is a celebration of linking and working as one, and the strength in unity as the character of an intertwined vine.
Mantawi is celebrated because it links the past to the present and the future, and gives the people of Mandaue their own identity, rediscovering Mandaue’s cultural heritage.
It was never a problem for the people of Mandaue if they didn’t have a “saulog” they could call their own. After all, they’re just a few kilometers away from Cebu City, home of the world-renowned Sinulog.;" They just to rediscover the beauty of mandaue"
