The Kinsan Festival

The place was considered as a fishing village and it was believed that name of the town was derived from a certain kind of fish called “kinsan”, a kind of grouper fish that are abundant from months May to July. Since then, the place was called “Kinsan”.

Another local lore explained the etymology of the name. During early days, Spanish authorities traveled around the newly-colonized island, making friends with the natives and asking the name of the place.

One soldier happened to pass the place and was eager to known the place. He asked the fisherman, “Como se llama este lugar?” which literally translates into “What is the name of the place?” Thinking the Spanish was asking about the kind of fish he was bringing, the fisherman answered, “kinsan”.

Not clearly stated, the Spanish again asked the question. The fisherman, who was selling kinsan, was carrying the basket with the head of the fish as he already sold the other parts and answered, “Ulo sa Kinsan” or “Head of Kinsan”. As years passed, Ulo sa Kinsan eventually evolved into “Aloguinsan”.

The town celebrates the famous “Kinsan Festival” every June. It was named after a kind of fish that is teeming in the ocean from months May to July. However, the annual fiesta celebration takes place every 23rd and 24th day of October in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Raphael the Archangel.

It has been a custom to the people to celebrate the famous Kinsan Festival every June. The name was taken from a kind of fish, Kinsan which is grayish in color and only in its waters that this kind of fish can be seen from March to June.

The festival showcases local talents performing original dance steps in this street dancing competition and ritual showdown. The colorful costumes and movements imitate the movements of the fish and how folks live life in everyday basis.

Unlike other towns, whose festivals are in cognizance to the feast days of their patron saints, Aloguinsan has its own reason why Kinsan Festival is not held simultaneously with the its fiesta celebration. The town observes the feast day every October in honor of its patron saint, St. Raphael the Archangel but celebrates Kinsan Festival in the second Sunday of June because March to June are Kinsan season.

sources:
http://www.yahoo.com/