Sigma Brief History

In the year 1615 or ninety-four years after Magellan landed in Cebu, 1521, a group of Catholic Missionaries led by Fr. Alonso Ejevas, came to the Inland of Panay for the organization and establishment of the towns of Jamindan and Mambusao, formerly named “Tipic”. Mambusao however, was so wide that the descendants of Datu Monahan and Pedro Vesera again suggested to the missionaries that a ne w town be estbalished in the east. Hence, a new town called Sigma.

According to historians, the SIGMA was named after the town’s first executive datu, a powerful ruler named Datu Cayongyong Mahinay. The Datu, with the frequent recurrence of his normal cold illness and often blowing his nose, in dialect “naga-sikma” was popularly known among his followers and other “Datus” ruliing the neighboring regions as “Datu Sikma”. Hence, the town named Sigma from the word “Sikma”.

HIL-O-HANAY FESTIVAL

The Hil-O-Hanay Festival is celebrated by Sigmahanon in order to portray their simple way of life since olden time. “Hil-O” is a Sigmahanon term which means to reciprocate. In past times when farming was mainly dependent on manual labor and wher5e no farm machinery was yet in existence. Sigmahanon farmers traditionally come to the aid of one another in preparing the fields, planting their crops, harvesting, threshing, winnowing, gathering and back to the field preparation in a cycle of communal sharing and fraternity. Today the spirit of Hil-O-Hanay lives among Sigmahanons.

Festival Payag-Payag Contest

During fiesta their was aPayag-Payag Contest and in every Brgy. must have a payag-payag and that payag is a small hut made of bamboos and other indigenous materials. The one that are able to construct the best payag-payag and consummate the criteria set by the judges is declared as the winner. The usefulness of the indigenous bamboo is slowly fading away. And they do this festival to promote the alternative rises bamboo as art material. During the festival the mayor gives one lechon (pig) in every Brgy. Then the people eat their lunch in that payag-payag.

Sigma Community Heritage Center

It is located near in the plaza, church and Sigma town hall. It has a two story building own by the municipal government. In the first floor, you can see there the post office, capelco and etc. In the second floor of this edifice houses a multipurpose hall which can be utilized as a performance venue for stage plays and cultural events. It is also ideal for seminars, conference and other special events. It has also mini gallery which showcases the rich cultural, natural and human heritage of the town. It is also an area where the Dagway Sigmahanon practice their performances.

Inside the Heritage Center

Dagway Sigmahanon Inc.

Sigma is home to Dagway Sigmahanon Inc., the resident theater of Sigmahanon foundation for culture and the Arts, Inc., (SFCAI) and a recipient of the 2004 Gawad Galing Pook (Trailblazing Program). DSI has performed in various performance venues in Metro Manila, and Western Visayas and has brought pride to Sigmahanons. On the other hand, aside from conducting artistic training’s and workshop whole year round, SFCAI regularly host performance of national and international acclaimed artists and performing groups.

Profile of Dagway Sigmahanon

Theater is not only for entertainment but is also a very effective medium for social transformation. This philosophy has been the foundation of Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc. (DSI) for the past six years.

The rudiment of artistic trainings does not only raise the level of perfection of each of the members but make them know and understand themselves more fully. Theater urges them to be more attached to the present realities. The process has made them “totoong tao”.

The Sigma Municipal Council for Culture and arts, now the Sigmahanon Foundation for Culture and the Arts, Inc. (SFCAI) organized the Dagway Sigmahanon in May 2000. It aimed to save the young people of Sigma from juvenile delinquency through the dynamics of theater by integrating values and spiritual formation. It was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on January 6, 2004 and known as Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc. “Dagway” is a hiligaynon word that literally means image. Dagway Sigmahanon therefore can be literally translated as “image of Sigmahanons”.

Source: Dagway Sigmahanon, Inc. Sigma, Captivating Capiz

Capsu Hometel

It is run by the captivating Capiz State University, the hometel is located along Brgy. Poblacion Sur, where in the Strong Republic Nautical Highway traverse. It has air conditioned rooms with a television set in each room. It has a function room, which is ideal for seminars and special occasions.

Inside the Capsu Hometel

Snack Haus

This is the Ryan and Randy snack haus, located inside the Sigma market. It is a big attraction not only for the Sigmahanons nut also from those who comes from other towns. It’s a big hit during summer days. Many people say’s that “ang halo-halo sa Sigma ay d’best gid yah!” And for me it is proven and tested.