Lapay Bantigue Dance Festival

It is celebrated annually during the City Anniversary on 30th day of September. This event highlights the
traditional folk dance created by "Lola Felisa" many years ago, when she imitated the graceful
movement of the seagull (locally known as Lapay). The dance has evolved and is now recognized by
the Cultural Center of the Philippines as one of the official folk dances of the country. This dance was
also recognized during the Spanish Colonization.
LAPAY-BANTIGUE DANCE
The hovering of birds more commonly known as seagulls or the LAPAY, is one of the most typical and
beautiful scenes in Barangay Bantigue, Masbate. The boats laden with abundant fish caught by small-
scale fisher folks eagerly awaited by fish buyers and the LAPAYS makes an engaging portrait of the
people"s everyday simple way of life.

This marvelous scenery has inspired old folks to come up with a local folk dance very much rightfully
originated from the graceful movements of the Lapay and the harmonious relationship it has created to
the lives of the fisher folks. Surely, the seashores of Barangay Bantigue can never be more cherished
without the Lapay.
MASBATE FAST FACTS
LOCATION: Central Philippines
REGION: Region V- Bicol
LAND AREA: 404,770
MUNICIPALITY: 21
BARANGAY: 550
HOUSEHOLD: 128,860 POPULATION: 653,852 (1995) Census POPULATION GROWTH:
9.16% (1990-1995) LITERACY RATE:95.90%
DIALECT: Masbaneto, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Bicolano CLIMATE: TYPE 1 TYPE 3
MAJOR PRODUCTS: COPRA AQUAMARINE CATTLE AND GOLD

MASBATE HISTORY

Masbate City is located on the Island of Masbate

(pronounced (mas bah ti), which is in the Bicol Region of the
Philippines. The Province of Masbate is composed of 3 major
islands, Masbate, Ticao, and Burias. Masbate Island is
boomerang shaped and easy to locate by looking directly in
the center of the Philippine Islands. Masbate City is the
largest city on the Island and geographically located on the
North Central coast of the island. Thus, the city is on a small
Peninsula which is located just east of Masbate Bay and
creates a safe harbor and port.

The language of Masbate is Masbateno which is very close to illongo (spoken in Iloilo). English and
Tagalog are also spoken and taught in all schools.

There are 30 Barangays (or villages) and a estimated population of over 250,000 (in 2008) in Masbate
City which is the fastest growin city on the Island.