Exotic mountain ranges and lush vegetation, genuine rural hospitality and scenic drives: the municipality of Sara has all the makings of a memorable holiday. The town is actually a fine mixture of sightseeing and to do activities. The town welcomes travelers with happiness.
The Second-Class municipality of Sara is situated in the northeastern paortion of the province. It is 97 kilometers or a two hour and twenty-five minutes ride from Iloilo City. It is bounded in the north by the province of Capiz: in the east by the towns of San Dionisio and Concepcion; in the south by Ajuy; and, in the west by Lemery. It has a total land area of 18, 300 hectares that is politically subdivided into 42 barangays.
It is populated by 52, 631 (2015 Census on Population) Saranhons. Market day is every Mondays and Saturdays. It annually celebrates its Religious Fiesta every 24th of June in honour of San Juan de Bautista.
To get there, visitors can take can take the bus at the new Ceres Terminal, Barangay Camalig, Jaro Iloilo City.
HISTORY
What used to be a small native settlement on the banks of Aswe River the Austinian Fathers founded the barrio of San Juan under the patronage of St. John the Baptist, whose feast is celebrated on the 24th of June.
Cholera ravaged the barrio in 1870 and many of the afflicted were cared by no less than the sister of the parish priest Fray Paulino Diaz. Upon the advice of this lady, thye barrio was relocated farther inland away from the river bank to prevent another epidemic from happening.
When the barrio became a pueblo in 1877, San Juan was renamed Pueblo de Sara after the selfless sister of the parish priest. Later on it became a regular parish in 1895 with Fray Paulino Diaz as curate. Formerly a small land, a simple barrio called San Juan, Sara was transformed into a prosperous town, rich and aesthetically urbanized through the indefatigable efforts of its frist parish priest and his dedicsated sister named Sara.
ATTRACTIONS
SAN JUAN FALLS is located 6.2 kilometers from the town proper. It is a series of falls and pools located in a valley of lush vegetation.
FESTIVAL
MASSKARA SA SULAY BASYA is celebrated every 3rd week of June in honor of Saint John the Baptist. This festival is celebrated with water, the key element in baptism. Sulay is the Hiligaynon word for getting wet usually under the rain or any gushing water, and Basya means to intentionally douse water on someone or group of people.
The centeroiece of the celebration is the tribal dance competition where performers wear masks, brightly-colored costumes and dance to the pulsating samba beat. The merriment ends with the community observing the tradition of dousimng everyone with water using a tabo or water dipper, others have water guns. A firetruck is on standby in one corner to make sure everyone gets wet. By allowing oneself to get wet, devotees hope to receive blessings and the community have bountiful harvest in their farming.