Biniray Through the Years
Biniray has stood the test of time. Now on its sixteenth year, it has successfully withstood the challenges posed by the changing times. It has sailed through the roughest of seas and is still getting stronger each year. It has indeed become a tradition that could last through generations.Actually, Biniray has been through a generation of Bantoanons perfectly symbolized by the chairmanship of the Executive Committee. Engr. Erasmo Ferrera, chairman of this year’s Biniray is a son of Engr. Manfredo Ferrera, himself a chairman in the past and a member of its originators, the BEARN.
During the last two years, it was staged successfully with Bantoanons not identified with the BEARN at the helm in the persons of Mr. Nicolas Fonte and Ms. Cely Fonte. The change was significant as it showed that Biniray can stand even without the hands of its originators.
Biniray has also survived without the Asuncion Shipping Lines, Inc. (ASLI), now the San Nicolas Lines, Inc. It may be noted that in 1994, for the first time, Biniray, then under the chairmanship of Mr. Noe Fabroa, was held in a Beach Resort. St. Nicholas was paraded on board a motorboat instead of the traditional cruise on board an ASLI motor vessel.
For ten years, the shipping line’s vessels carried the patron and the revelers to the chosen destinations including Corregidor, Talaga Cove, Puerto Azul and Bataan. Actually, the first Biniray could have not been conceived or launched without the shipping line, whose chairman, Lemuel Fabula was a member of the BEARN and himself became the chairman of Biniray celebration in 1987. Biniray could have also collapsed if during its early years, ASLI withdrew its support. If only to give emphasis on the ASLI participation in the Biniray, Jose A. Fonte, the first Biniray chairman and now vice-governor of Romblon, wrote in his account of the first Biniray: "...The ship’s crew in their gala uniforms received the Patron’s image on board Asuncion X and welcomed the devotees."
It has also gone through one economic cycle. It started in 1983, when the economy plunged due to the political unrest caused by the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, through the economic boom under the Ramos years, and is still going strong now even if the economy takes a downturn once again.
And even as it is said that the character and moral values of the new generation has changed a lot, ironically, the more we see youngsters during the celebration. Moreso, the youngsters’ participation in terms of responsibilities has increased significantly.
What made Biniray survive?
Credit goes to the movers and leaders. BEARN’s determination to hold the affair against the odds during its years of infancy is foremost. The ensuing leaders’ continuous desire to improve the affair and their sensitivity to adopt to the trends, needs and constraints brought by the changing times, have made Biniray stronger.
Credit also goes to the Bantoanons who religiously attend the Biniray each year. Biniray could have been an affair of the few and of the elite. Thanks to the Bantoanons’ faith and devotion to St. Nicholas and to God. Thanks to the Bantoanons for they have not forgotten the ways of a Bantoanon in the midst of people with different cultures.
But lest we forget, Biniray survives, not just because of the leaders and the revelers but most of all, because of divine providence. It is St. Nicholas, our patron. It is the Lord, our God.
Viva San Nicolas de Tolentino! Glory to God!
Volume 1 No 3