DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM
Region III
CALENDAR OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
(as of December 2008)
FESTIVAL/EVENT / BRIEF DESCRIPTION / DATE / VENUE / CONTACT INFORMATIONAURORA
Aurora Surfing Cup / Every February, the province of Aurora plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup, which through the years, has established a steady following of local and international surfing enthusiasts. The province boasts of internationally recognized surf sites such as Sabang Beach (beach break), Cemento Beach (reef break), and Charlie's Point (river mouth break). The best waves in these areas come around October to March. / Feb 8-11 / Baler / Aurora Provl Tourism Ofc
Tel Nos. (042) 209-4373 /4211/ 0918-6859104
Aurora Foundation Day / The most awaited event during the celebration of the annual Aurora Foundation Day is the so-called 'Karansa': a street dancing competition where the concept of cooperation and unity called 'Paatag' prevails as the overall theme of the day's hilarious activities. The weeklong activity includes singing and dancing competition, parade of the eight towns of the province with matching thematic floats and beauty queens, Search for Bb. Aurora and a street side tourism and investment exhibits. The festival culminates in a beach party and fireworks display. A wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the foot of the monument of Dona Aurora Quezon before the end of the festival. / Feb 13-19 / Baler / Aurora Prov’l. Tourism Office
Tel Nos. (042) 209-4373 /4211/ 0918-6859104
Moro-Moro Zarzuela / Presented on February 19 (Aurora Day) in Baler, Aurora, the Zarsuela is an interplay of drama and dance. Taking three days to complete (although it could be shortened to a day), the Zarsuela performed here is composed of several acts that revolve around the main theme of Moro-Moro or Moslem-Christian conflict. It presents slightly different variations for the Moro-Moro theme year after year. The roles of princes and princesses, warriors and laymen for both the Christian and Moslem sides are performed in dance, while a narrator accompanies the pantomime act. What makes this particular performance more dramatic is that real knives and bolos are used. Often in the heat of the presentation, miscalculations result in knife and bolo gashes. Both actors and actresses participate in this particularly sensitive and dangerous sword-play. Only beautiful, graceful ladies and handsome men are chosen and trained for the theater. Indeed, this is a cultural theater that demands talent, beauty, skills and courage from the actors, and highly skilled and experienced trainers are needed to create this unique style of Zarsuela. / Feb 19 / Baler / Aurora Provl Tourism Ofc
Tel Nos. (042) 209-4373 /4211/ 0918-6859104
Pilgrimage to Ermita Hill / This is a religious activity during the Holy Week. The center of this celebration is the chapel on Ermita Hill where the “penetencia” is held. People from the other parts of the province come to join this celebration. / March-April / Casiguran/Baler / Evelyn Arana - 0921-3215505
Riza Del Rosario – 0918-859104
Feast of San Vicente Ferrer / This celebration aims to honor the patron saint of Maria Aurora, San Vicente Ferrer. / April 5 / Maria Aurora / Noel Dulay - 0919-3724764
Feast Day of San Isidro
Labrador / It is celebrated in honor of Saint San Isidro Labrador, patron
saint of the town of Dinalungan. / May 15 / Dinalungan / Dominador Inocillos - 0921-4182596
Feast of San Fernando / It is celebrated in honor of San Fernando, the patron saint of the town of Dingalan. / May 30 / Dingalan / Antonio Rupac - 0919-6198417
Feast day of San Antonio
de Padua / It is celebrated in honor of San Antonio de Padua, the patron saint of the town of Casiguran and San Luis. / June 12-13 / Casiguran/San Luis / Evelyn Arana - 0921-3215505
Dingalan Foundation Day / In celebration of the Foundation Day of the town of Dingalan. / June 15-16 / Dingalan / Antonio Rupac - 0919-6198417
Dinalungan Day/Coco-Banana Festival / In celebration of the Foundation Day of the town of Dinalungan. / June 18 / Dinalungan / Dominador Inocillos - 0921-4182596
Feast Day of San Jose / It is celebrated in honor of San Jose, the patron saint of the town of Dilasag. / June 21 / Dilasag / Freddie Asis - 0920-2803185
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day (Siege of Baler) / A Senate bill sponsored by Senator Edgardo J. Angara, the “Siege of Baler”, and the events it triggered more than century ago, is now officially part of Philippine historical celebrations. June 30 of every year is celebrated as Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day. The highlight of the celebration focuses on the re-enactment of the war-epic Siege of Baler that marked the town’s history at the helm of the Philippine-Spanish war. / June 30 / Baler / Riza del Rosario – 0918 6859104
Feast Day of San Luis/ Obispo de Tolosa/Coco-Sabutan Festival/Birth Anniversary of President Manuel Luis Quezon / The town fiesta is celebrated every year in honor of the patron saint of Baler, San Luis Obispo, and in commemoration of the birth of a great leader and statesman, President Manuel Luis Quezon. The week-long celebration features Coco-Sabutan Festival, Street Dancing, Search for Little Ms Baler and Binibining Baler, Historical Quiz Bee and merry making activities. / Aug 19 / Baler / Riza del Rosario - 0918-6859104
Feast Day of San Luis
Rey de Francia/Sabutan
Festival / The Sabutan Festival in the town of San Luis, province of Aurora, highlights the importance of growing palm trees locally called Sabutan on the community's economic wellbeing. The raw material which grows on mountain terrain and forest land is used to weave a variety of useful products and ornamentals like hats, placemats, fans and even native dress- all made of Sabutan. The exclusive art of weaving Sabutan is handed down from one generation to the other. The festival features native dance presentation among school children, trade fair, cultural shows and exhibits. / Aug 25 / San Luis / Abigail R. Ormilla - 0919-4627387/Tel No. (042) 209-4373
Feast Day of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus / It is celebrated in honor of Saint Therese of the child Jesus, the patron saint of the town of Dipaculao. / Sept 30 / Dipaculao / Jaime Valdez - 0918-9457285
Dipaculao Foundation Day / In celebration of the Foundation Day of the town of Dipaculao. / Nov 27 / Dipaculao / Jaime Valdez - 0918-9457285
Birth Anniversary of President Manuel Luis Quezon / The week-long celebration features Coco-Sabutan Festival, Street Dancing, Search for ittle Ms Baler and Binibining Baler, Historical Quiz Bee and merry making activities. / Aug 19 / Baler / Aurora Provl Tourism Ofc
Tel Nos. (042) 209-4373 /4211/ 0918-6859104
BATAAN
Araw ng Kagitingan / The Fall of Bataan or better known as Araw ng Kagitingan is commemorated every year with top government officials, Japanese and American WWII veterans including their Filipino counterparts and visitors commemorating the historic event atop Mt. Samat held to honor the bravery of the soldiers who fought in defense of Bataan. / April 9 / Mt. Samat, Pilar / Bataan Tourism Office
Tel (047) 237-4785/2413
Pawikan Festival / Pawikan Festival in Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong was organized to intensify the information campaign and generate public awareness on the importance of endangered baby Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys Olivacea are the smallest in the world) in our eco-system. The two-day celebration is highlighted by a ceremonial releasing of Pawikan hatchlings in the blue waters off South China Sea, street dancing competition where participants are dressed gaudily in turtle-like clothing, walk for a cause, trade fair, beach volleyball, graffiti painting contest, sand castling contest, coastal clean-up project, seminars and other activities. The event is joint project of the Provincial Tourism Office, Bataan Tourism Council Foundation, Inc., Municipal Tourism Council and LGU of Morong. / Nov 29-30 / Brgy. Nagbalayong, Morong / Bataan Tourism Office
Tel (047) 237-4785/2413
BULACAN
Guiguinto Garden Festival / Fourteen (14) barangays vigorously prepare their respective floats together with non-governmental organizations and civil society showcasing the diverse landscaping designs of local gardeners. The event is highlighted by the so-called “Bagsak Presyo" or up to 50 % discount on almost all ornamental plants. The Santa Cruz cloverleaf garden showcase is the permanent place to display flowers, plants and landscaping design in order to promote tourism and attract visitors. / Jan 22-23 / Guiguinto / Office of the Mayor
Tel No. (047)794-1823
Halamanan Festival / Coinciding with the Guiguinto Foundation Day on January 23, the Halamanan Festival is marked with merriment as the members of the town's Garden City Association exhibits the talents and skills of Guiguintenoes in the art of gardening i.e. landscaping, seedling propagation, plant growing, flower cutting and arrangements, ornamentals and interior decoration including landscaping (waterfalls, rock garden, boulders and the like). The town is now known as the Garden Capital of the Philippines. / Jan 23 / Guiguinto / Eleonor Abuson
Tel. No. (044) 794-1823/794-0543
Sto. Nino Festival / The biggest expression of devotion for the Holy Child Jesus in the entire Luzon island. The event features a week-long celebration cum exhibits, a procession featuring more than a hundred caros of diverse images of the the Sto. Nino. / Last Sun of Jan / Malolos City / Raven Ramos
Tel. No. (044) 662-3288
Baliuag Lenten Procession / Held every Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, the ‘Prosisyon ng mga Santo’, Baliuag's main Lenten attraction, is a grand parade of 60 lavishly decorated floats depicting scenes of the passion and sufferings of Christ. / Holy Wed and Good Fri / Baliuag / Rosie Decasa
Tel No. (044)766-1402
Santacruzan / The procession in honor of the Holy Christ is held in practically all towns and cities in the whole province. Every parish celebrates the ending of the Flores de Mayo during the last week of the month. / May 1-31 / Malolos City / Raven Ramos
Tel No. (044)662-3288
Luyang Dilaw Festival / The name Marilao originated from a plant (shrub) that abundantly thrived in swampy areas during Spanish era. The matured plant bears light yellow flower and the edible roots are colored dark yellow (dilaw). The yellow roots became famous and used for various purposes now called "luya". The purpose of the festival is to inculcate in the residents and the youth undying love and appreciation of the origin of the town / May 2 / Marilao / Janice Montaos
Tel No. (63 47) 711-4815
Feast of San Roque / The Feast of San Roque street festival dates back to the 18th century, when the people of Valenzuela first gave thanks to their patron saint, San Roque. Women from the various barangays (neighborhoods) of the town come together to dance in a street procession which lasts all day and night. Legend has it that if a girl wishes to find a boyfriend or a husband she must join the street dance before her wish is granted by San Roque. Thus, this Saint's Day serves to separate the girls who are looking for boyfriend from those who are already taken, making it much easier for the boys to choose their partner! Inevitably then, the procession of dancing ladies is the cause for great excitement and the atmosphere is always buzzing with merriment. / May 12 / Valenzuela / Divinia Quetua
Tel No (044) 791-6604/7335/
662-7635
Pulilan Carabao Festival / Hundreds of work animals, mostly carabaos, are led on a parade in the streets of the town every 14th and 15th of May to honor its patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. The carabaos decorated with garland and shaven for the occasion, genuflect or kneel in front of the church. Witness the colorful Carabao Festival and religious activities of the town. On the 14th of May, farmers all over the town pay tribute to their patron saint. San Isidro Labrador, in glorious thanksgiving for a year-long bountiful harvest. The celebration is manifested by hanging all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops and multi-colored kippings on bamboo poles. The affair is highlighted by kneeling of carabaos in front of the church and the symbolic floats. Every year, a sea of frolicking humanity comes in droves to witness the innate talents of the carabaos. / May 14-15 / Pulilan / Santy Santos
Tel Nos. (044) 795-0128
Obando Fertility Rites / The Obando fiesta is celebrated from May 17-19. Couples who are childless take this occasion to appeal for heavenly intercession and dance on the streets to please the Virgin of Salambao. San Pascual de Bailon and Sta. Clara and be blessed with a child. Singles also take this occasion to be blessed with a partner in life. Farmers also thank the Virgin for bountiful harvests. / May 17-19 / Obando / Office of the Mayor
Tel No. (044) 299-1234/
(02)292-2016
Pastillas Festival / The festival is a tribute to one of the town's famous sweets - pastillas de leche (carabao milk candies). The town was formerly known as San Miguel de Mayumo, so called because it was renowned for the sweets made there. Among the events during the festival are demonstrations on pastillas cooking and the craft of making pabalat, the lacey pastillas wrappers made of rice paper. / May / San Miguel / Rodrigo Florencio
Tel No (044) 678-1416
Calumpit "Libad" Festival / The colorful event is celebrated on June 23, the day before the fiesta, when a fluvial procession in honor of the town's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, is held on the Pampanga river which is made more festive by the presence of a host of decorated pagodas and bancas of every barangay. While the procession goes on, people dance while townsfolk watch in merriment along the riverbanks, and the tradational "basaan" (water splashing) including the throwing of plastic-packed food keeps people on their toes. / June 23 / Calumpit / Lina Vicente