DANAO CITY
Danao City is a 3rd class city in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 109,534 people.
In 2005, Metro Cebu's definition was to let Danao City the leader in industry of GUNS in the north and the municipalities of San Fernando and Carcar down south
Gun industry in Danao
Danao City is well-known for its gun industry. The industry started around 1905-1906.[2] WhenWorld War II came, the Danao gunsmiths went underground, joined the guerrilla movement or were inducted into the USAFFE. Their main task was to re-chamber the Japanese Arisakarifles to fit the US .30 caliber round or to keep the original Japanese rifle in good service. The industry went on, still underground. In the 1960s, the term paltik was given to the homemade (and illegal) guns. In the early 1990s the industry was legalized by the government, with the creation of two organizations of local gunsmiths. The organization now left with proper permit is Workers League of Danao Multi-purpose Cooperative (World MPC), in Dungguan.
Santo Tomas de Villanueva Church
Danao City.[Danao is situated in the northeastern coast of Cebu and is about 33 kilometers from Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Carmen, on the west by the municipalities of Balamban, Asturias and Tuburan, on the south by the municipality of Compostela and on the Built in 1755, Santo Tomas de Villanueva stands as one of the oldest church in the Philippines. Sto. Niño and Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral in Cebu, Baclayon Church in Bohol, St. James Parish Church in Dapitan, St. Joseph Parish Church in Camotes are just some of the very long list of old churches found in the country. Santo Tomas de Villanueva is situated in Danao City, one of the populated cities in the province of Cebu.
The church suffered a partial destruction during the World War II as it is one of the hiding places of the folks during those times. Even though there were efforts to repair the Santo Tomas de Villanueva church, the edifice still seems not secured. Because of this predicament, Hon. Ramon M. Durano Sr. who is a builder himself and the possessor of a distinguished record of exemplary performance in his sincere dedication to the public good holding uppermost in his heart and determined in doing his best for the well being of his fellowmen, has came out single handed to support the needed reconstruction project which he initiated in 1981 when Julio R. Cardinal Rosales was Archbishop of Cebu and was finished during the incumbency of the present shepherd of the Archdiocese, his eminence Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal, while the parish was under the pastoral care of Rt. Rev. Santos Maningo de la Serna, V.G., P.A in 1985. The inaugural blessing of Santo Tomas de Villanueva and Solemn Consecration of the Marble Altar of Sacrifice happened on December 23, 1985. An estimated amount on P8,000,000 was provided out of the generosity of Hon. Ramon M. Durano Sr. in financing the said reconstruction project which took care at the same time to maintain the outward antique appearance of the church.
The renovated façade of Santo Tomas de Villanueva still looks natural but the church interiors have already been modernized to have a much better look and feel during meditation and prayer.
The Parish of Santo Tomas de Villanueva is very near the Santo Tomas College and the Rizal Monument. It is located a couple of minutes away from the sea port of Danao and 5 minutes away from the bus/v-hire Terminal and Gaisano Mall. Getting to Santo Tomas de Villanuevafrom Cebu City is by going first to A.S. Fortuna in Mandaue City, then riding a Sabang-Danao jeepney. Alternatively, one can take the bus or v-hire at the North Bus Terminal (NBT). The fare from Mandaue and NBT going to Danao ranges from P25- P40.east by Camotes Sea.3]
Karansa Festival
Dubbed Karansa Festival, the celebrations date back to Spanish colonial times when after a days work, pot workers would unwind by way of drinking and community dances. Although no official steps and music have been designated for the street dances, Counsilor Carmen Remedios Durano Meca, Danao City’s Chairperson on the Committee on Tourism, said that on the celebration of the Feast of Sto. Tomas a series of activities a week prior to the event had already been scheduled. The Karansa Festival will be the highlight of the fiesta day itself with street dances and presentations express in the city’s devotion to Sto. Tomas. The festival will be celebrated on September 18, but celebrations will start on September 9 with a torch parade, of which the torches are to represent the cap of Sto. Tomas.
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| Dancers dance to thew beat of the Karansa rhythm. The Karansa is a dance expressing one's joy and happiness performed in four basic steps: The kiay, karag, kurug and kurahay that jibes with the Karansa official beat. It is celebrated during the city's annual fiesta in honor of their patron saint, Sto. Tomas de Villanueva. |
