Kaamulan Tribal Festival (March 1-6, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon)
“Kaamulan” is from the Binukid word “amul” which means “to gather”. It is a gathering of Bukidnon tribespeople for a purpose. It can mean a datuship ritual, a wedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest time, a peace pact, or all of these put together.
Showcasing the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon, the Kaamulan is held annually in the province, particularly in Malaybalay City, the provincial capital, from the second half of February to March 10, which latter date marks the anniversary of the creation of Bukidnon as a province in 1917.
As an ethnic festival, the Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. Several tribal folks representing these seven hill tribes of Bukidnon gather in unity with the local dwellers in town, wearing their intricately woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. They dance together, chant, perform ancient rituals, and compete in indigenous sports.
Graced by cultural groups whose ways have remained unchanged throughout the centuries, the Kaamulan is characterized by the authentic rituals with real indigenous peoples. There is the Pangampo (general worship), the Tagulambong hu Datu (ritual for the installation of a Chieftain), the Panumanod (a spiriting ceremony), the Panlisig (rite to drive away evil spirits), and the Pamalas (sin atonement ritual) among others.
Each activity is a meaningful ceremony that reflects the richness and diversity of the Bukidnon culture. Integrated into the festival are activities designed to fuse the different sectors in the provincial community as a whole. The events which have been institutionalized over the years of celebrating the Kaamulan include the Civic Parade; the much-awaited Street-dancing Competition with contingents coming from the respective municipalities and cities of the province; the Laga Ta Bukidnon where beautiful ladies from within the province vie for the title; programs reminiscent of the historic beginnings of Bukidnon and its tribal oral traditions; and, the Ethnic Dance Clinic.
Showcasing the unique indigenous culture of Bukidnon, the Kaamulan is held annually in the province, particularly in Malaybalay City, the provincial capital, from the second half of February to March 10, which latter date marks the anniversary of the creation of Bukidnon as a province in 1917.
As an ethnic festival, the Kaamulan celebrates the customs and traditions of the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region, namely, the Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon. Several tribal folks representing these seven hill tribes of Bukidnon gather in unity with the local dwellers in town, wearing their intricately woven costumes studded with trinkets, anklets, earrings, necklaces, leglets, headdresses and amulets. They dance together, chant, perform ancient rituals, and compete in indigenous sports.
Graced by cultural groups whose ways have remained unchanged throughout the centuries, the Kaamulan is characterized by the authentic rituals with real indigenous peoples. There is the Pangampo (general worship), the Tagulambong hu Datu (ritual for the installation of a Chieftain), the Panumanod (a spiriting ceremony), the Panlisig (rite to drive away evil spirits), and the Pamalas (sin atonement ritual) among others.
Each activity is a meaningful ceremony that reflects the richness and diversity of the Bukidnon culture. Integrated into the festival are activities designed to fuse the different sectors in the provincial community as a whole. The events which have been institutionalized over the years of celebrating the Kaamulan include the Civic Parade; the much-awaited Street-dancing Competition with contingents coming from the respective municipalities and cities of the province; the Laga Ta Bukidnon where beautiful ladies from within the province vie for the title; programs reminiscent of the historic beginnings of Bukidnon and its tribal oral traditions; and, the Ethnic Dance Clinic.
Guling-Guling Festival (March 5, Paoay, Ilocos Norte)
The annual Guling-Guling Festival in Paoay, Ilocos Norte is traditionally held the day before Ash Wednesday. While Catholics officially mark the fasting and penitence as start of the Lenten Season, it is the day of merry-making and street dancing for Paoay folks. The residents dressed in their Ilocano costume adorned with antique jewelries, dance and sing around the town while being given the sign of the cross where pounded rice is used instead of gray ash. Also, it is the town mayor who imprints the sign of the cross among the Paoay villagers instead of a priest.
This festival of Paoay, Ilocos Norte started in the olden days since the Spanish regime. The friars have introduced this event in the 16th century. It is a celebration held on Tuesdays before Ash Wednesdays to signify that this is the last day for the townsfolk to enjoy all forms of merrymaking before they observe the Lenten season. The Ilocano word “guling” means to mark or smear. Using wet and white rice flour, the town mayor would smear the sign of cross in a person’s forehead. Its white color signifies purity and it is believed that through this procedure a person is cleansed of all of his past sins.
They conduct street pageantry where the locals show off their terna (traditional national costume for women), gowns made of the indigenous abel cloth or the kimona and pandiling. There is a dance parade showcasing the Spanish-inspired Ilocano folk dances and they made a giant dudul, a native delicacy made of rice and molasses.
This festival of Paoay, Ilocos Norte started in the olden days since the Spanish regime. The friars have introduced this event in the 16th century. It is a celebration held on Tuesdays before Ash Wednesdays to signify that this is the last day for the townsfolk to enjoy all forms of merrymaking before they observe the Lenten season. The Ilocano word “guling” means to mark or smear. Using wet and white rice flour, the town mayor would smear the sign of cross in a person’s forehead. Its white color signifies purity and it is believed that through this procedure a person is cleansed of all of his past sins.
They conduct street pageantry where the locals show off their terna (traditional national costume for women), gowns made of the indigenous abel cloth or the kimona and pandiling. There is a dance parade showcasing the Spanish-inspired Ilocano folk dances and they made a giant dudul, a native delicacy made of rice and molasses.
Bangkero Festival (March 5-9, Pagsanhan Laguna)
The Pagsanjan Bangkero Festival is held during the month of March. It is inspired by and dedicated to all bangkeros (boatmen) in Pagsanjan and in honor of the town’s patroness, Our Lady of Guadalupe. These boatmen serve as tour guides whose skills and dexterity demonstrated in maneuvering the boats upstream and against strong currents of water until reaching the scenic view of the breath taking Pagsanjan falls.Local government aims to push the advocacy on environmental protection and promotion of the local tourism through the celebration of the Bangkero Festival.
The 5-day Festival has different activities like the traditional boat race or regatta, fluvial and land parade with street dancing, drum and lyre competition and other sports events. There are also cultural presentations and the annual search for “Ginoong Bangkero” and the “Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan”.
The 5-day Festival has different activities like the traditional boat race or regatta, fluvial and land parade with street dancing, drum and lyre competition and other sports events. There are also cultural presentations and the annual search for “Ginoong Bangkero” and the “Lakan at Binibining Pagsanjan”.
Banana Festival (March 18-19, Baco, Mindoro Oriental)
The Banana Festival, held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, is a celebration of the abundance of bananas. It showcases the different varieties of banana like the Senorita, the Latundan, the Lacatan and the Saba. It also features a banana cookfest and a "saba"-inspired street dancing competition and beauty pageant. Festivities coincide with the town fiesta held in honor of the patron, St. Joseph.
The province of Negros Occidental celebrates the banana festival every first week of April particularly in the municipality of La Castellana. A harvest festival opens on the first day of April.
Davao del Norte on the other hand celebrates this event every first week of July in time for the founding anniversary of the province. The festival pays tribute to the largest economic contributor and the province’s number one export - bananas.
The province of Negros Occidental celebrates the banana festival every first week of April particularly in the municipality of La Castellana. A harvest festival opens on the first day of April.
Davao del Norte on the other hand celebrates this event every first week of July in time for the founding anniversary of the province. The festival pays tribute to the largest economic contributor and the province’s number one export - bananas.
Pasayaw festival is a combined word of “Pasalamat pinaagi sa sayaw” (thanksgiving through a dance). Pasayaw festival expresses joy and jubilation in praise and thanksgiving to the almighty God through the intercession of St. Joseph. Street dancing and showdown competition is done in honor of the Patron St. Joseph the worker.
The presentation is highly influenced by the Masskara festival of Bacolod City Negros Occidental where a common recorded music usually a Latin or a Samba beat used by all contingents. Past Pasayaw festivals used vegetables and other crops by way of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvests that made Canlaon City the vegetable basket and highland garden of Negros Oriental.
It started at late 1980’s at every 19th day of March which is participated by 12 contingents from the different barangays of Canlaon City, namely: Brgy. Mabigo, Brgy Masulog, Brgy Bayog, Brgy Panubigan, Brgy Brgy. Linothangan, Brgy Pula, Brgy Aquino, Brgy Malaiba, Brgy Binalbagan, Brgy Budlasan, Brgy Bucalan and Brgy Lumapao. The showdown competition is held at the city sports and cultural center right after the street dancing.
Since the 19th day of March 2008 is in the midst of the holy week. The city tourism office and the local government of Canlaon decided not to hold the event and planned to have it for the following year.
The presentation is highly influenced by the Masskara festival of Bacolod City Negros Occidental where a common recorded music usually a Latin or a Samba beat used by all contingents. Past Pasayaw festivals used vegetables and other crops by way of thanksgiving for the bountiful harvests that made Canlaon City the vegetable basket and highland garden of Negros Oriental.
It started at late 1980’s at every 19th day of March which is participated by 12 contingents from the different barangays of Canlaon City, namely: Brgy. Mabigo, Brgy Masulog, Brgy Bayog, Brgy Panubigan, Brgy Brgy. Linothangan, Brgy Pula, Brgy Aquino, Brgy Malaiba, Brgy Binalbagan, Brgy Budlasan, Brgy Bucalan and Brgy Lumapao. The showdown competition is held at the city sports and cultural center right after the street dancing.
Since the 19th day of March 2008 is in the midst of the holy week. The city tourism office and the local government of Canlaon decided not to hold the event and planned to have it for the following year.
Alimango Festival (March 22, Lala, Lanao del Norte)
A festival to celebrate "Araw ng Lala" featuring displays of different sizes of alimango (crab). Also features native costumes, dances and contests depicting and promoting local culture and a traditional and water-based parade passing through unspoiled mangroves. Various activities, such as native dance performances, are held to showcase the local culture and tradition. Alimango Festival, a celebration that culminates during the Araw ng Lala on March 22 of every year, is in line with the thrust of National Leadership and the Department of Tourism vision to promote and enhance community-based development and sustainable tourism.
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Famous Fiesta in the Philippines
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