Top Festivals of Calabarzon

HIGANTE FESTIVAL

HISTORY: The townspeople of Angono,

Rizal, definitely know how to throw a BIG
fiesta. The annual town’s fiesta of Angono
held every 23rd of November is a
celebration in honor of San Clemente
(patron saint of fishermen). The main event
is a procession of the patron saint, which is
carried by male devotees, convoyed by
“pahadores” (devotees dressed in colorful
local costumes or fishermen’s clothes,
wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles,
fish nets, traps, etc.). Adding to the festivity is the “Higantes” (giants). Higantes are giant
paper mache images measuring four to five feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height.
The “higantes” is a century-old tradition, dating back when Angono was a Spanish hacienda.
During that time, the hacienda owners were concerned about the costs of all the celebrations
in the town leading to prohibiting all except for one annual fiesta. To make the best out the
situation, the townspeople decided to add more enjoyment to the single fiesta they can have.
Through the art form from Mexico brought by the Spanish priests, the people created larger-
than-life caricatures of their Spanish landlords.

BANGKERO FESTIVAL
HISTORY: The Bangkero Festival was launched in May, 1999 as a showcase for the
bravery of its boatmen (bangkeros). The
Bangkero Festival was conceptualized
in honor of the people who has worked
hard to present the world their
hometown’s natural wonder. Not
minding the strong river current, these
boatmen carry people to the site of the
famous waterfall. It is just apt that the
city government gives tribute to them
through the Bangkero Festival. The 5-
day festival opens with Best Bangka Presentation, Best Float and Street Dancing. This
activity is a contest for decorated boats and floats being paraded through the town’s main
thoroughfare while the street dancing is a parade of students from different schools

CCSS1/SSM2: Philippine Geography – Region IV-A (CALABARZON)

Top Festivals of Calabarzon

PAHIYAS FESTIVAL

HISTORY: During the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban all the homes in the procession’s itinerary
are decorated with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products and kiping. The kiping is a leaf-
shaped wafer made of rice (similar to tacos of Spain) and dyed in bright colours. No one
really eats kiping anymore and it is
solely used as a decoration. The
celebration is a form of thanksgiving
for a bountiful harvest and in honour
of the patron saint of farmers, San
Isidro de Labrador. A procession of
the image of San Isidro is planned
long before the festival and it is said
that houses along the route of the
procession will be especially favoured
and blessed in the coming year. It is
from this belief that the lavish decoration of the home began.
The Pahiyas Festival attracts a lot of people. Make sure you arrive in the early morning
(around 7 am) so that you have the town almost for yourself. From 11 am on the streets of
Lucban are so full of people that you can’t appreciate the decorations of the houses anymore.
 

LECHON FESTIVAL

HISTORY: The Lechon Festival also

known as Parada ng Lechon (roasted pig
parade) in Balayan, Batangas is held
annually every 24th of June in honor of
St. John the Baptist. Lechon is one of
Batangas delicacy, and even in other
provinces in the Philippines. It's a main
dish most batagueños have for
celebrations or fiestas. According to the
old villager, lechon was served before the Spanish arrived in the Philippines. The dish
became a symbol of Batangas tradition to serve lechon during celebrations.

CCSS1/SSM2: Philippine Geography – Region IV-A (CALABARZON)

Top Festivals of Calabarzon

REGADA FESTIVALS
HISTORY: Cavite City’s party loving
people are now on the midst of elaborate
preparations for the Annual Cavite City
Water Festival or popularly known as
REGADA. The festival’s moniker was
derived from the Spanish word “regar”
which means to water or to sprinkle. Held
every 17th to 24th of June since 1996, it is
a weeklong celebration that is full of
culture and plain old fun. Of course, the
theme is water.
Also called the “Water Festival”, the festival is comprised of games, street dancing, photo
exhibit, trade fair, concert and water splashing. The festival is done three days from June 22-
24 done in celebration of St. John the Baptist.
Over the years, we have seen more people attend the event. Not only because of its festive
mood, but also because of the ecological implication and spiritual bonding that the people
have come to experience during the affair.
The event’s finale will coincide with the Feast of Saint John the Baptist on the 24th. One that
day, the city’s main thoroughfare will be rigged with sprinklers and mobile sound systems
get everyone in wet party mood – THE TUGTUGAN SA PAULAN and THE
BASAYAWAN SA KALYE. This is probably the biggest wet party and the only wet street
dancing in the country today. A fitting climax to the yearly festival is THE CARACOL NI
SAN JUAN BAUTISTA where in the patron saint is led out on a fluvial parade from the bay
to the festival’s PAULAN to bless the people and for the Caviteños to give thanks.

CCSS1/SSM2: Philippine Geography – Region IV-A (CALABARZON)