Bicolano Myths : festivals in Bicol

BICOL FESTIVALS

Born in Legazpi City, Albay, I've grown up immersed in the vibrant culture of Central Bikol. Being raised in Bulan, Sorsogon (before moving abroad), exposed me to numerous and lively festivals that spread joy and happiness. In Albay, festivals in the Philippines are not just religious or cultural but a mix of both, honoring local Roman Catholic patron saints, commemorating history, promoting community products, and celebrating abundant harvests.

With over 42,000 known major and minor festivals, the Philippines is widely recognized as the "Capital of the World's Festivities." Festivals feature various activities such as Holy Masses, processions, parades, theatrical plays, religious and cultural rituals, trade fairs, exhibits, concerts, pageants, and contests. Not limited to Christian origins, many festivals incorporate Islamic or indigenous concepts.

Bicol, particularly Albay, boasts several captivating festivals:

Alinao Festival – Malinao, Albay (July 20 – 26):

An annual tribute to the lost tree of Alinao, celebrating the clear waters and the Vera Falls in the mountains of Malinao.

Pinangat Festival – Camalig, Albay (June 10 – 24): An annual festival coinciding with the town fiesta, paying homage to St. John the Baptist and featuring the famous native delicacy, Pinangat.

Coron Festival – Tiwi, Albay (Aug. 1 – 30): Highlighting Tiwi's pottery industry, the festival showcases the town's expertise passed down through generations.

Magayon Festival – Albay (May 1 – 31): Held in May, the festival honors the legend of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron, reenacting their tragic love story that gave rise to the majestic Mayon Volcano.

Ibalong Festival – Legazpi, Albay (Aug. 10 – 19): Celebrating Bicolanos' socio-historic-cultural heritage based on the Ibalong Epic, portraying the bravery and strength of local heroes.

Sunflower Festival – Ligao, Albay (March 20 – 26): Spotlighting the flamboyant sunflower in conjunction with Ligao City's anniversary, symbolizing faith, resiliency, hope, and love.

7. Tabak Festival – Tabaco, Albay (June 16 – 25): Showcasing Tabaquenos' artistry in cutlery production, with the city known for its skilled blacksmiths in Barangay Cobo.

Cagsawa Festival – Daraga, Albay (Feb. 1 – 29): A month-long celebration at the historic Cagsawa Ruins, focusing on Albayanos' spirit and resilience rather than the memory of the disaster.

Longganisa Festival – Guinobatan, Albay (Aug 1 – 15): A festival held in August, coinciding with the town fiesta, expressing gratitude for bounties from the land, with a highlight on showcasing the main product, Guinobatan Longganisa.

IBALONG FESTIVAL

The Ibalong Festival, a non-religious celebration held in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines every August, draws inspiration from the Ibalong Epic. This festival revolves around the epic tale of Ibalong, featuring three legendary heroes named Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong. Masked and costumed participants parade through the streets, embodying the appearances of these heroes and villains, reenacting the classic battles that have become part of Bicol's history. The festival's primary objective is to convey warmth and goodwill to all, inviting both visitors and tourists to join in the festivities with the Bicolanos. Additionally, the Ibalong Festival is recognized as the Ibalon Waterfalls.

Contrary to popular belief, renowned historians and anthropologists like Domingo Abella, Luis Camara Dery, Merito Espinas, F. Mallari, Norman Owen, Mariano Goyena del Prado, and others assert that the ancient settlement of Ibalong is situated in Magallanes, Sorsogon.

UNOD FESTIVAL

Unod Festival is an annual cultural and agricultural celebration in Castilla, Sorsogon, Philippines, taking place from October 1 to 7. It serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude for the abundant harvest of root crops from local farms and recognizes the essential contributions of hardworking farmers. What is Unod Festival? The term "unod" refers to root crops, and the festival pays homage to Castilla as a predominantly agricultural municipality in Sorsogon. It underscores the fertility of the local lands and the dedication of the town's farmworkers. Unod Festival aims to promote and celebrate local products, emphasizing the significance of farming as a crucial source of employment to combat poverty. The festival spotlights various root crops like cassava, sweet potatoes (camote), taro (gabi), and arrowroot (uraro). A cherished tradition during the festival is the "tinagba," where farmers present their farm produce for blessing by a priest. The farmers select the finest produce to offer as a symbol of gratitude. Castilla, often referred to as a "fruit basket," also boasts the production of fruits such as melon, custard apple (atis), guava, cottonfruit (santol), and pineapple. Additionally, the town is known for its fishing community. Unod Festival Activities: The festival features an Agro Trade Fair, showcasing the best farm produce of Castilla, along with exhibits displaying various products derived from these crops. Festivities include a motorcade, competitions, street dancing, a float parade, talent contests, civic military parade, and a thanksgiving mass. How to Reach Castilla, Sorsogon: Travelers can reach Castilla by flying into Legazpi Airport, approximately 60 kilometers away. A land trip from the airport takes about one and a half hours to reach the municipality.

TABAK FESTIVAL

The Tabak Festival marks the annual founding anniversary and religious celebration in Tabaco City, Albay, Philippines, occurring every June 24. Aligned with the feast day of St. John the Baptist, the city's patron saint since Spanish times, the festival extends over two weeks, occasionally declared a special non-working holiday, exemplified in 2021 through Proclamation No. 1164.

Additionally, the city observes the Tabaco City Charter Day on March 24.

Etymology: The festival derives its name from "tabak," the native blade crafted by Tabaco residents. The term also shapes the city's name, translating to "My sword" in the local dialect.

History of Tabak Festival: Established in 2002, a year after Tabaco attained city status through Republic Act No. 9020, the festival commemorates this milestone. The law, signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 5, 2001, gained approval through a plebiscite on March 24, 2001.

Devotion to St. John the Baptist: Stemming from the city's Christianization during Spanish colonization, devotion to St. John the Baptist has deep roots in Tabaco City's history. The establishment of a church in 1616, eventually becoming an independent parish in 1664, solidifies this connection. The St. John the Baptist Church was declared a National Historical Landmark and later a National Cultural Treasure on July 31, 2001.

Tabak Festival Activities: The festival showcases the city's history, industry, and artistry, particularly in the production of tabak by skilled blacksmiths, notably from Barangay Cobo. The grand street dance, featuring historical and cultural elements, is a highlight of the event.

Sibidan Race: A traditional boat racing competition, the Sibidan Race emphasizes the speed and skills of fisherfolk, utilizing small wooden outrigger fishing boats called sibid-sibid. The race promotes awareness and conservation of aquatic resources.

Padyak Race: Known as the Padyak Capital of the Philippines, Tabaco City hosts a padyak race, highlighting the modified three-wheeled mode of transport. Participants, consisting of padyak drivers and passengers, compete to complete a predetermined route in the shortest time.

Other Festivities: The festival includes beauty pageants (Ginoong Tabak, Mutya ng Tabak), cooking contests, and various cultural presentations.

Getting to Tabaco City, Albay: Travelers can reach Tabaco City by booking a flight to Legazpi Airport, followed by a one-hour ride covering approximately forty kilometers to reach the city.

PADARAW FESTIVAL

Annually, the town of Bulan, nestled in Sorsogon within the enchanting Region Five of the Philippines, joyously observes the Padaraw Festival, a celebration deeply rooted in the town's rich culture and spirit of gratitude.

The term "Padaraw" finds its origins in the local Bicol dialect, commonly used by the town's fishermen. "Daraw," the root word, signifies the gatherings or schools of fish converging at a specific point in the sea, becoming a pivotal location for fishermen to make their daily catches. Thus, Padaraw signifies unity.

During this vibrant festival, the people of Bulan come together to showcase their unity and resilience amidst life's challenges. The Town Fiesta, held in honor of Bulan's patron saint, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, serves as the backdrop for these festivities. The celebrations reflect the coastal community's joy and gratitude for the abundance and blessings bestowed upon them by God. Padaraw not only symbolizes the richness of the sea but also extends to the plains and mountains, prompting the people of Bulan to express heartfelt thanks to the divine for the manifold gifts they receive.

The Pili Festival is an annual cultural, fruit, and religious event held in Sorsogon City, Philippines, every June 29. Centered around the abundant harvest of the pili fruit, the festival coincides with the patronal feast of Sts. Peter and Paul.

History of Pili Festival: Conceptualized in 1999 by Irma Alindogan-Jacobs, the former Provincial Information Center Manager of the Philippine Information Agency, the Pili Festival aimed to promote the high-value crop of pili in Sorsogon. Initially, Sorsogon had no official festival, and Jacobs envisioned a grand celebration that would unite the community, encourage participation, and showcase the significance of pili in the town's livelihood and cultural heritage. Supported by then-mayor Rosario Jun Delgado, the first Pili Festival took place in 2000 and has since become an annual citywide celebration.

What is Pili? Pili is a fruit-bearing tree native to the Philippines, particularly abundant in the Bicol region and parts of eastern Visayas. The tree produces pili nuts, a culinary delight roasted, boiled, salted, or transformed into candies. Pili oil extract, obtained from various parts of the tree, is prized for its reported medicinal benefits, such as laxative properties, skincare applications, and use in perfume production. Sorsogon, known as one of the largest pili producers in the country, dedicated 245 hectares of land with 29,875 trees for pili cultivation in the city.

Religious Fiesta of Sts. Peter and Paul: The Pili Festival also serves as a religious fiesta dedicated to Sts. Peter and Paul, patrons of the town and the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral, the ecclesiastical seat of the Diocese of Sorsogon. The cathedral's history dates back to 1569, with the establishment of the Christian presence by Augustinian friar Fr. Alonzo Jimenez. The Diocese of Sorsogon was officially established on June 29, 1951, making the parish a cathedral.

Pili Festival Activities: The festival begins with a nine-day novena starting on June 20, culminating in a pontifical, concelebrated mass on June 29 at the Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Secular activities, managed by the city government, extend throughout June, featuring sports, cultural shows, outreach programs, street dancing, parades, trade fairs, talent competitions, cook fests, and music events.

One unique event is "Tiriladan sa Dalan," where participants crack open pili nuts with precision to preserve the kernel. "Miss Pili Festival," a prestigious beauty pageant, adds to the festivities.

How to Reach Sorsogon City, Sorsogon: Travelers can reach Sorsogon City by flying into Legazpi Airport, with the city approximately 60 kilometers away. A land trip from the airport takes approximately one and a half hours.

Bicolano Myths

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

festivals in Bicol

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