Name: Paulin Q. Castillano & Shuntly Shean T.

Monte
Grade: 9 Dalton
Subject: Mapeh

“Pattaraday Festival”
Pattaradday Festival is an inclusive event which unifies the 17 ethno-linguistic groups in the city.
The festival was initiated by civic leaders, the Art Association of Santiago, concerned citizens
and the city government to showcase local identity and Santiago’s origins. Santiago is also
home to Muslim, Chinese and Indian minorities, making it a melting pot in northern Luzon and a
city living in unity despite diversity.

The City of Santiago in Isabela celebrates unity in diversity and its 17th Cityhood Anniversary as
it holds the 12th Pattaradday Festival. Culled from the Ibanag word for unity, Pattaradday is
celebrated on May 1 with the opening of the trade fair, Santa Cruzan and Oktoberfest sa Mayo.

Pattaraday which means “unity” is an Ybanag word,best describe how mixed cultural and ethnic
groups—be they indigenous residents or multinational and domestic migrants running
economic business enterprises in the city—stay together in harmony. It is celebrated on the
occasion of the founding anniversary of Santiago. It celebrates the unity of the ethno-linguistic
groups that have merged in the city to make it the melting pot of culture of Region 02 and
contributed to the city’s progress and development-unity in action.

Every year the festival theme would vary showcase from agricultural to character-first
advocacy. This year it focuses on health and environment. Among the activities conducted were
concerts, fun run, youth got talent, battle of the bands; job fairs; kite fest; search for Mutya ng
Santiago; gawad modelong kabataan; rodeo competition; street dancing; and drum and lyre
competition.

Pattaraday Festival is a 5 days celebration of 14 ethnic groups. Pattaraday is an Ibanag term for
unity. It was held to mark the city’s founding anniversary and likewise to honor Saint James the
Apostle, the city’s Patron.