SIQUIJOR, Siquijor, May 2 (PIA) -- The Local Government Unit of Larena under the leadership of Mayor Cyrus Vincent Calibo, once again revived the Canoan Festival vibe.  

Various activities such as the inter-barangay volleyball tournament, Salaag 2.0 Downhill Biking, Night Market sa Canoan, inter-town basketball tournament, On-the-Spot Tattoo competition, Motocross Cup 2023, Canoan Idol 2023 and Canoan Modern Dance contest were conducted. 

The Canoan food street festival held every night from April 24-29 attracted a crowd of locals and tourists.

One of the highlights of the festival was the Canoan street dance parade and festival showdown 2023.  

The competition was participated in by the secondary students from Siquijor State College, Saint Vincent Academy-Larena, Cabulihan Integrated School, Basac National High School and Larena Integrated School.  

Each performance exhibited the history and culture of Canoan while at the same time entailed glorification and thanksgiving to God and the Patron Saint of the town, St. Vincent Ferrer. 

Back then, the municipality of Larena was known as Canoan, which is derived from the Visayan word, “kan-anan” or “eating place”.

Traders from the neighboring lands found comfort and shelter at the Canoan Bay whenever typhoons or unwanted weather conditions strike.  

Aside from relaxing, the merchants would eat and enjoy the freshwater flowing in the Cawasan Creek.  

In 1906, Canoan was changed and later named as Larena in honor of then Negros Oriental Gov. Demetrio Larena, since the Province of Siquijor used to be part of Negros Oriental.  (NPO/PIA7 Siquijor)