Bicol Festivals – Festivals in the Bicol Region for the Whole Year
Here are the Festivals in the Bicol Region happening in the year.
- Pabirik Festival
- February 1-2
- Paracale, Camarines Norte
Held in the town of Paracale, the festival is highlighted by pabirik street dancing, depicting the gold mining industry in the province.
- Tinagba Festival
- February 11
- Iriga City
A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops, ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.
- Karanowan Fish-tival
- February 15
- Bato, Camarines Sur
A celebration promoting the rich aquatic resources of Lake Bato. Derived from local dialect ranow meaning lake, participants are clad in fish-like costumes depicting the different indigenous fish of Bato Lake while gracefully dancing to creatively choreographed movements in their gaily colored unique outfits fashioned from indigenous materials.
- Himag-ulaw Festival
- February 17
- Placer, Masbate
A celebration of praise and thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest in farming or good catch in fishing expressed through various forms of activities like street dancing, beauty competition, games and contests, food fairs, among others.
- Rodeo Masbate
- April 6-8
- Masbate
Hold on to your horses, caballeros, its rodeo time in Masbate once again! Feel the excitement as our local cowboys pit their brains against bovine brawn in western style rodeo events like bull riding and sterr wrestling, apart from our local games like the good old carabao race. So put on them boots and saddle up its gonna be a rope-slingin , dust-kickin , cowpunchibn affair.
- Senakulo
- Good Friday
- Paracale
This is lenten presentation reenacting the Passion of Christ. Lenten observance includes Visita Iglesias or altar visitations and processions.
- Kadagatan Festival
- Black Saturday
- Bacacay, Albay
A boat race of outriggered sea crafts powdered manually, while Palayag is another boat race with sails. The grandiose spectacle is the show of colorful sails set against the backdrop of Albay Gulf puncture by the deep ultramarine color of the sea. Participants from the different parts of Albay merge in this small in this small progressive coastal town of Bacacay to join, win big cash prizes and earn the honor of most skilled sailor.
- Partido Baybayon Festival
- April 26-28
- Sag-ay, Camarines Sur
This festival showcases the different tourism areas in the district and launch the municipality of Sag ay as summer capital of Partido. Visitors converge in Nato shoreline or Baybayon in local dialect where various activities are featured.
- Butanding Festival
- April 28-30
- Donsol, Sorsogon
A festival which ushers the Butanding (whaleshark season) and a thanksgiving for the blessings that it give to the people of Donsol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade.
- Boa-Boahan Alinsangan Festival
- May 1
- Nabua, Camarines Sur
A colorful cultural festival of pagan origin. Derived from the dialect, alinsangan, a word that describes the characteristics of the people living in the early settlements. It is a festival showing fertility and thanksgiving. Fertility, because Boa was taken from the young embryo of the coconut and thanksgiving for it was their only source of food after the ravage of floodwaters.
- Magayon Festival
- May 1-31
- Albay
A festival in the merry month of May, showcasing Albay as it comes to age, its cultural heritage, trade, travel and tourism beyond Majestic Mount Mayon. The festival includes various activity such as beauty pageant, photo/art exhibit, street parade, trade fair, sports fest, guided tours, etc.
- Dayaw Dalan Festival
- May 1-3
- San Jacinto, Ticao Island, Masbate
Dayaw is an old Tigaonon term which means to show off, parade or display . In its strictest meaning, dayaw is to present with pride what is distinctly and essentially inherent in a person. Dalan on the other hand, means in olden times, a mountain trail which now includes path, street and highway. Dayaw Dalan Festival symbolizes the best of what the municipality of San Jacinto have as a town and as a people. The festival is held in honor of its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Burgos.
- Palong Festival
- May 10-13
- Capalonga, Camarines Norte
Higlighted by a street dancing and agro industrial fair which expresses local folks gratitude for their town s name etymology and signifies the abundant presence of rooster available in the locality. Held also in celebration of their Black Nazarene s Feast Day on May 13.
- Black Nazarene Feast
- May 13
- Capalonga, Camarines Norte
A two-day religious festivity in honor of the town s Patron Saint, the Black Nazarene, which is the object of veneration not only by the locals but by foreign devotees as well. It is highlighted by a pligrimage where people come in thousands to give in their respect to the miraculous Patron Saint.
- Sarung Banggi Festival
- May 18-25
- Sto. Domingo, Albay
A fun-filled 8-day summer activity to immortalize the song Sarung Banggi and pay tribute to its composer Potenciano Gregorio. It showcases a variety of cultural and religious activities, food and sports fest, Beauty Search, folksong fest, agro-industrial fair and many more.
- Catandungan Padayaw Festival
- May 20-24
- Virac, Catanduanes
Padadyaw is an old Catandunganon term which means to show one s best with pride and dignity coupled with excitement. This is a street-dancing of delegation per town to the tune of Pantomina. The towns are encouraged to flaunt its own image by associating its delegations costume and dance to what the town is best known for.
- Kaogma Festival
- May 21-27
- Camarines Sur
A week-long celebration of the of the foundation anniversary of the Province of Camarines Sur. The festival features numerous activities such as cultural expositions, sports events, beauty pageant, procession and Grand Parade.
- Padaraw Festival
- Bulan, Sorsogon
A festival showcsing colorful costumes fashioned from the abaca fiber. It is highlighted by a grand street presentation wherein the participants are clad in colorful costumes using the abaca fibers.
- Tabak Festival
- June 16-21
- Tabaco City
Held in conjunction with the celebration of the City s 1st Foundation Anniversary. The festival derived its name from a local word Tabak , meaning bolo, where the name of the City (Tabaco) was taken from. It s highlight is a street presentation where participants showcases the legend of the City. Numerous other activities are lined up to drum beat the affair.
- Pili Festival
- June 20-29
- Sorsogon, Sorsogon
Pili is an indigenous crop of Bicol region, particularly Sorsogon. This festival showcases the Pili, the primary purpose of which is to emphasize its importance and to increase the awareness of the public on its various economic uses. One way of doing this is through a street dance presentation, a highlight of the festival. The street dance presents the three (3) stages of Pili, from green (young fruit) to violet (half-mature) to black (mature) nuts and how it is being processed into different kinds of sweets and delicacies.
- Ginubat Festival
- June 11-12
- Gubat, Sorsogon
A festival based on the roots of the town of which its name was derived. It features the following activities: cultural street parade, exhibits, sailboat race, beauty pageant, fiesta celebration and the Balik-Gubat which is the highlight of the festival.
- Katalingkasan Festival
- July 21-25
- Libon, Albay
Katalingkasan which means freedom and rebirth, is held in conjunction with the Libon Town Fiesta and the feast of its Patron Saint, St. James the Greater. The festival aims to revive the rich cultural heritage of the town and at the same time promote local tourism.
- Mercedes Fishtival
- August 6-11
- Mercedes, Camarines Norte
It is a fishermen s holiday celebration, in which said festivity is dedicated as a time of annual thanksgiving for the blessings and bounty received from the Almighty during the seafaring, fishing expeditions and fish farming endeavors. The fishtival is not only a week-long merry making but also a moment of retrospect and recognition of Mother Nature for having endowed Mercedes with a gift of vast fishery resources, magnificent shorelines and other aquatic potentials and the wise utilization and preservation of ecological balance for the attainment of environmental dignity and beauty.
- Pagsuwak Festival
- August 12-17
- Guinobatan, Albay
Derived from a local word su wak meaning the process of flowering or blossoming, thus, pagsuwak is a sign of growth, devewlopment and progress of the municipality. The festival, therefore, which is held to coincide with the town fiesta signifies act of thanksgiving for the bounties from the land. Various activities are lined up highlighted by a street presentation.
- Coron Festival
- August 15-17
- Tiwi, Albay
Coron is a Bicol dialect meaning clay-pot or potteries of which the town of Tiwi is popularly known for. Thus, the festival s main feature is the municipalities pottery industry which is done with skills passed from parents to children and perfected through long years of practice without the benfit of written manuals. Highlight of the festival is a Street Presentation.
- Pilgrimage to Joroan
- 3rd Saturday of August
- Joroan, Tiwi, Albay
Every 3rd Saturday of August, thousands of devotees flocked to this coastal town in Albay to pay homage to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, Patroness of albay. It is highlighted by a maritime procession after a mass at Joroan Church. The image is carried by the menfolks down to the beach where a large and well-decorated trawl boat is docked. An entourage of similarly decorated pumpboats follow, carrying the pilgrims and devotees to the shores and village at Sogod where a concelebrated mass is held again.
- Daragang Magayon Festival
- August 26-September 8
- Daraga, Albay
A historical and religious celebration in honor of the town s patron saint, Our Lady of the Gate. It aims to showcase the cultural life of Darague os. Various colorful activities are lined up for this celebration.
- Voyadores Festival
- 3rd Friday of September
- Naga City
borne on the shoulders of her male devotees, and her voyage back in a fluvial procession along the Bicol River. It is named after the male devotees (voyadores) who accompany and carry the Virgin s image in a procession called Traslacion for a Novena at the Metropolitan Cathedral
- Penafrancia Festival
- 3rd Saturday of September
- Naga City
A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Pe afrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivity begins on the second Friday of September when the Image of the Virgin of Pe afrancia is carried by hundreds of male devotees from her shrine to Naga Cathedral. Main highlight is the fluvial procession along the Naga River.
- Himoloan Festival
- September 28-29
- Albay
This festival commemorates the Patronal Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Himoloan literally means pag-atang or tinagba (offering). Thus, it is the time of the year when the faithful honor their patron, St. Michael on the Feast of the Archangels by offering to him not only material goods but the talents that God bestowed upon all as well. Its highlight is the Himoloan street presentation and the Carrosa Contest wherein it is participated by the different barangay and is also open to other barangays of other nearby towns to gather and bring the carrosa/andas of their patron decorated with their produce as well as native materials found within their reach.
- Hin-Ay Festival
- September 28-29
- Irosin, Sorsogon
This festival is a commemoration of the feast day of the town s Patron Saint, St. Michael the Archangel, and at the same time a rediscovery of the town s cultural heritage. The festival traces the struggles of the people of Irosin at various stages of its history and aims to renew the enthusiasm and faith among people for sustained involvement in community building. Various activities include: Mardi Gras, which depicts the victory of the Archangels over the Black Angel, cultural show, agro-trade fair, beauty pageant, food festival, among others.
- Ibalong Festival
- October
- Legazpi City
A festival depicting Bicol s early beginning as portrayed by the characters in the epic entitled IBALONG. The name was the early nomenclature of Bicol region. It showcases many superheroes such as Handiong, Baltog and Bantong among others. The festival is highlighted by a street presentation where masks of heroes and villains are paraded on mainstreets, combined with song and dances. Other activities include trade fair, art exhibit, sports fest such as the triathlon, guided tours, beauty pageant and other colorful competitions.
- Kasanggayahan Festival
- October 15-25
- Sorsogon, Sorsogon
This festival was derived from the dialect which means prosperity and happiness . It is a joyous celebration held primarily to commemorate the Foundation Anniversary of Sorsogon since its establishment as a separate province from Albay. The highlight is the Pantomina sa Tinampo participated in by LGUs, schools, NGOs and other civic organizations.
- Catandungan Festival
- October 22-24
- Virac, Catanduanes
A celebration of the province s anniversary and tribute to its founders, to continuously remind the people of Catanduanes of the province s independence from the province of Albay. Main features of the festival are: street dance Pantomina, beauty pageant, agro-trade fair, sports fest, guided tour, art/photo exhibits, etc.
- Pastores Bicol
- December 18
- Legazpi City
An interpretative folk festival related to the celebration of Christmas tradition. It reenacts the rejoicing shepherds who sang the first Christmas Carol during the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Locally known as pastores , here they are clad in colorful costumes with the traditional arc and musikeros as they sing and dance to the tune of Pastores a Belen.
- Kamundagan Festival
- December 1-31
- Naga City
In the month of December, Naga City opens its door for a whole month in celebrating its charter anniversary and the Birth of Christ with the cooperative efforts of Camarines Sur and Naga City. The festivity seeks to boost tourism, expand business and provide livelihood opportunities by showcasing various activities, the highlights of which are the kiri-kiti , pastoras , beauty search, agro-industrial fair, civic parade, cultural shows and other colorful events.
ECONOMY
Geography defines the region's traditional occupations, agriculture and fishing. Bicol's occupations, agriculture and fishing. Bicol's agricultural sector contributes 60% of the gross regional domestic product, with the services and industrial sectors contribution 30% and 10%. Rice, coconut, and abaca are major crops. About half the farming land cultivates coconut while 20% and 10% are planted to rice and abaca, respectively. Bicol ranks second to eastern Visayas in abaca production. Rice, the staple is supplemented with corn and root crops. Bicol is currently the largest producer of sweet potato, and the third largest producer of cassava and calamansi. Coffee and cacao are also grown.
Bicol's tourism industry is another source of income. Among the more popular sites are the perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, Lake Buhi, Pasacao Beach, Nats Beach, And San Jose Beach in Camarines Sur, Bulusan's mountain lake, Tiwis' geothermal plant and Cagsaua beach. The Philippine Tourism Authority is developing the Maranawa falls in Bato, Catanduanes into a nature park and resort.
Geography defines the region's traditional occupations, agriculture and fishing. Bicol's occupations, agriculture and fishing. Bicol's agricultural sector contributes 60% of the gross regional domestic product, with the services and industrial sectors contribution 30% and 10%. Rice, coconut, and abaca are major crops. About half the farming land cultivates coconut while 20% and 10% are planted to rice and abaca, respectively. Bicol ranks second to eastern Visayas in abaca production. Rice, the staple is supplemented with corn and root crops. Bicol is currently the largest producer of sweet potato, and the third largest producer of cassava and calamansi. Coffee and cacao are also grown.
Bicol's tourism industry is another source of income. Among the more popular sites are the perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, Lake Buhi, Pasacao Beach, Nats Beach, And San Jose Beach in Camarines Sur, Bulusan's mountain lake, Tiwis' geothermal plant and Cagsaua beach. The Philippine Tourism Authority is developing the Maranawa falls in Bato, Catanduanes into a nature park and resort.
POLITICAL SYSTEM
Some national executive offices and constitutionally mandated bodies have regional branches in Legaspi. Bicol is served by three Regional Trial courts and four Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. In Congress, Bicol is represented by 11 members (1991): four from Camarines Sur, one from Camarines Norte, two from Masbate, two from Sorsogon, and two from Albay.
Some national executive offices and constitutionally mandated bodies have regional branches in Legaspi. Bicol is served by three Regional Trial courts and four Municipal Circuit Trial Courts. In Congress, Bicol is represented by 11 members (1991): four from Camarines Sur, one from Camarines Norte, two from Masbate, two from Sorsogon, and two from Albay.
FOOD
Trivia: Do you know that taro leaves are waterproof? An alternative to cleaning the leaves is to wipe them carefully with a paper towel to get rid of the dirt. Another tip is to peel off a part of the fibrous stem to avoid an itchy episode with your tastebuds.
TRIVIA: The Golden Kuhol were treated as pests during the early 80's to 90's by farmers but today they put the 'gold' in kuhol for the extra income these edible snails provide its cultivators.
Kuhol, also known as escargot or brown snails, is rich in protein and energy-giving fat while the shell contains calcium, phosphorous, vitamins, and minerals which can be recycled as animal feed. Farmers no longer see the golden kuhol as a threat to their fields but as an opportunity to improve their livelihood. Kuhol is available in wet markets nationwide and included in the exotic delicacy list of the Philippines.
Kuhol, also known as escargot or brown snails, is rich in protein and energy-giving fat while the shell contains calcium, phosphorous, vitamins, and minerals which can be recycled as animal feed. Farmers no longer see the golden kuhol as a threat to their fields but as an opportunity to improve their livelihood. Kuhol is available in wet markets nationwide and included in the exotic delicacy list of the Philippines.
Trivia: Bicol express was invented by Cely Kalaw, a native of Laguna and an owner of a restaurant in Malate, Manila. Kalaw's family moved to Naga when she was three years old where. When she grew up and returned to Manila, she invented the dish that became known as Bicol Express, named after the train that travels from Paco Station to Bicolandia and now a mainstay in Bicolano cuisine. (Source: wikepedia.org)
Growing up I helped my mom and lola in cooking our family's version of Bicol Express. I was the one who minced the spices, cut the chilis and pork into small portions and prepared the coconut milk. We also put kamias as a way to balance the chilis' spiciness but not too much as to make it too sour.
Ingredients:
Minced onion
Garlic
Ginger
Green chili
Coconut milk
Bagoong alamang (fish paste)
Ground Pork
Cooking Procedure:
? Pour the coconut milk into the pan
? Put the garlic, onion, ginger, bagoong alamang, pork, kamias and chilis
? Simmer until the pork is tender then add spices
? Simmer until the pork is fully cooked
This dish is pure comfort food and I assure you will guiltily ask for more rice and forget the meaning of 'diet'. If your tongue is up to it and have masochistic tendencies I challenge you to visit the Pinangat Restaurant in Camalig, Albay and try their version of Bicol Express (in two versions: spicy and super spicy).
Bicolano dishes are truly unique in the islands and the region deserves its reputation as Spicy Bicol where cooking dishes with no sili is not cooking at all.
Ingredients:
Minced onion
Garlic
Ginger
Green chili
Coconut milk
Bagoong alamang (fish paste)
Ground Pork
Cooking Procedure:
? Pour the coconut milk into the pan
? Put the garlic, onion, ginger, bagoong alamang, pork, kamias and chilis
? Simmer until the pork is tender then add spices
? Simmer until the pork is fully cooked
This dish is pure comfort food and I assure you will guiltily ask for more rice and forget the meaning of 'diet'. If your tongue is up to it and have masochistic tendencies I challenge you to visit the Pinangat Restaurant in Camalig, Albay and try their version of Bicol Express (in two versions: spicy and super spicy).
Bicolano dishes are truly unique in the islands and the region deserves its reputation as Spicy Bicol where cooking dishes with no sili is not cooking at all.
