AMONG the annual feasts in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), the grandest is the Afi (fire) Festival

held during the annual celebration of the founding anniversary of Tuguegarao City as it
commemorates the feast of the city’s patron — Saint Hyacinth of Poland.
AMONG the annual feasts in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), the grandest is the Afi (fire) Festival
held during the annual celebration of the founding anniversary of Tuguegarao City as it
commemorates the feast of the city’s patron — Saint Hyacinth of Poland.

Pav-vurulun is an Ibanag word that means a get-together. It gathers Tuguegaraoeños to

a week-long festivity culminating with a Mass and procession of the patron saint on Aug.
16. The patronal fiesta is in honor of St. Hyacinth, the city’s patron saint.
The festival has for its theme: “Pagyaya anna Pappabalo” (an Ibanag term which means
enjoyment and thanksgiving)

To mark the the Afi Festival, which is also the city’s 294th Patronal Fiesta this year —
from August 8–16, Malacañang declared Thursday (August 16) as a special non-working holiday
in the City of Tuguegarao through Proclamation No. 550 that Executive Secretary Salvador
Medialdea signed.

Mayor Jeferson Soriano said the celebration dubbed as “Pavvurulun Afi Festival” is not just
thanksgiving for all the blessings and abundance the city has received, but also highlights core
values of unity and camaraderie among the people of Tuguegarao.

“The highlight of the Afi Festival is the conceptualization of fire as the main element which
pushes our people to work hard for a bountiful crop and the fiery awakening of the community to
realize individual and community goals,” Soriano said.

He explained that such concepts are captured in a choreographed dance frenzy of thousands of
students carrying torches, which depicts the origins of the people and Tuguegarao and portrays
the historic past as the city moves towards its future.

In Ibanag, the word “Pavvurulun” means “togetherness” while “Afi” means “fire.” The city
launched the Afi Festival in 2014 to celebrate the title of Tuguegarao as the hottest city in the
country with highest temperature ever recorded in the city reaching a scorching 42.2 degrees
celsius on May 11, 1969.

Soriano said the city is also preparing to surpass the Guinness Book of World Record currently
held by Indonesia for having the greatest number of humans parading with torches.

Pavvurulun Afi Festival is a held on every year 10th to 17th in August situated in Tuguegarao
City, Cagayan. The festival is made merrier with the Trade Fair. The occasion is a much-
anticipated action by local people as well as among the travelers and guests who visit the city
amid the festival. The movement unites different enterprises and organizations that exhibit their
one of a kind items. Inhabitants of the city and additionally voyagers are given chances to see
different items that feature the financial side of Tuguegarao City.
This demonstrates the administration's help in the accomplishment of the targets of the business
segment. Year in and out, there is a high interest of exhibitors as the LGU gives free slows down
to everybody who wish to show their items. The Local Government of Tuguegarao esteems the
significance of every specialist in the financial development of the city.

The Pavvurulun AFI Festival additionally features the way of life of the Ybanags through the
distinctive rivalries and exercises that are arranged. The scholastic network is given the spotlight
for these occasions. The Pavvurulun AFI Festival has dependably been an important scene where
every single nearby occupant, travelers and guests loll in exhilaration as Tuguegarao observes
Pavvurulun.

August is a month of merriment for Tuguegarao as it commemorates the feast of its Patron- St,
Hyacinth of Poland. Dubbed as “Pavvurulun AFI Festival”, the celebration is not just a form of
thanksgiving for all the blessings and abundance the City has received, but it also features core
values of unity and camaraderie among Tuguegaraoeños.
The celebration is made more festive with the Trade Fair. The event is a much-awaited activity
not only by the locals but also among the tourists and visitors who visit the City during the
celebration.
The activity brings together various industries and businesses that showcase their unique
products. Resident of the City as well as tourists are provided opportunities to see diverse
products that highlight the economic side of Tuguegarao City. This shows the government’s
support in the attainment of the objectives of the business sector. Year in and out, there is a high
participation of exhibitors as the LGU provides free stalls to everyone who wish to display their
products. The Local Government of Tuguegarao values the importance of each businessman in
the economic growth of the city.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the activity is the conceptualization of FIRE as the main element
which pushes its people to work hard for a bountiful crop and the fiery awakening of the
community in realizing individual and community goals. Such concepts are captured in a
choreographed dance frenzy of thousands of students with torches capturing the origin of the
town. It protrays the historic past of the city as it pushes to the present and future.

The Pavvurulun AFI Festival also showcases the culture of the Ybanags through the different
competitions and activities that are lined up. The academic community is given the spotlight for
these events.

The Pavvurulun AFI Festival has always been a memorable episode where all local residents,
tourists and visitors bask in gaiety as Tuguegarao celebrates PAVVURULUNAN (Oneness)
The city government of Tuguegarao showcases the Ibanag culture and tradition during
the celebration of Pav-vurulun Afi Festival, the highlight of the 292nd Patronal fiesta of
the city from Aug. 8 to 16, 2016.
Pav-vurulun is an Ibanag word that means a get-together. It gathers Tuguegaraoeños to
a week-long festivity culminating with a Mass and procession of the patron saint on Aug.
16. The patronal fiesta is in honor of St. Hyacinth, the city’s patron saint.
The festival has for its theme: “Pagyaya anna Pappabalo” (an Ibanag term which means
enjoyment and thanksgiving)
City Mayor Jefferson Soriano said the activities include a trade fair exhibit at the Mall of
the Valley; a Bangkarera contest on Pinacanauan River; a pansit festival featuring a
pansit eating contest; a street dancing competition; a battle of the bands to be
participated in by elementary and high school students; a Nuang Karera (Carabao
race), a Kabayu Karera (Horse race) and piglet catching at the sports complex, the soft
opening of the Ibanag Library and Museum, and a fireworks display, among others.
A music festival will also be staged, featuring local bands and a local government units
night honoring the people behind the yearly success of the Pav-vurulun festival, Soriano
added.
The mayor also invited neighboring towns along the Pinacanauan and Cagayan rivers
to compete with local boatmen in the Bangkarera competition. The city invited
participants from the other towns of Cagayan and Isabela province.
The Bangkarera aims to promote sustainable fishing along the Pinacanauan River,
which flows to the Cagayan River. It draws its headwaters from the Sierra Madre
Mountains in Peñablanca and is home to delectable fresh water fishes like Tilapia mori
and birut, Soriano said.
The Bangkarera is a growing competition in two categories: single and double using
canoe-type hollowed-out wooden paddle boats used for fishing by the locals.

References
tuguegaraocity.gov.ph. (2016). Retrieved from tuguegaraocity.gov.ph Web site:
http://tuguegaraocity.gov.ph/pavvurulun-afi-festival/
QUESTIONNAIRE