| Ana Kalang Festival
Nagcarlan, Laguna
The festivities commemorate a bountiful harvest of the town’s
agro-industrial products. The name of the festival was derived
from a woman named Ana Kalang, who, according to a myth, was
known for her tremendous wealth, kindness, piety and generosity.
The Ana Kalang Festival showcases a unique folk art whose leitmotif
is the giant statue, which Nagcarleños call “Kalang-kalang”.
The kalang-kalang is usually ten foot high and made of different
fruits and vegetables or any indigenous materials for its parts.
The major attraction of the festival is the grand parade and
street-dancing contest. Other highlights of the festival includes
the agro-trade fair, cooking contest, nightly cultural shows,
tour in the town’s historical and scenic spots, livelihood
seminars, competition in traditional Filipino games and sports,
antique exhibit, garden show and the beauty pageant.
Bangkero River Festival
Held every last Saturday and Sunday of May
Pagsanjan, Laguna
This event features the skills and sportsmanship of Pagsanjeño
boatmen in boat racing, tug-of-war and even in singing. The
artistry of Filipinos is shown in the water float parade, the
decorated Bantilan and Gantungan. The yearly Flores de Mayo
also highlights the events.
Barong Tagalog Festival
Lumban, Laguna
The local Government officials of Lumban initiated the first
“Barong Tagalog Festival” from April 29 to May 3,
1996. Various embroidery products were displayed for sale at
the town plaza where the festival was held. This was participated
in by forty local producers. It also showcased a variety of
popular locally-produced food like “Kesong Puti and Ginataang
Hipon”, among others, and a few products from small cottage
industries like walis, bolos, yunot, and native bags made of
sundried water lily.
This activity is meant to be a continuing project of the Municipality.
Lumban established itself as the “Embroidery Capital of
the Philippines.”
Coconut Festival
11-15 January. San Pablo City
This festival celebrates the bounty of Laguna’s lush coconut
plantation. It is celebrated every second Sunday of January.
Coconut products galore are offered in thanksgiving and coco-
based products are displayed.
Feast of San Antonio de Padua
June 24. Pila, Laguna
The town folk of Pila celebrate the feast of San Antonio de
Padua through a procession, merry-making, and festive dining
in the most of the beautiful ancestral homes. The San Antonio
de Padua Parish Church and the town plaza are the focal points
of activities.
Feast of San Isidro Labrador
May 15. Liliw, Laguna
In a religious procession the statue of the saint, the patron
of laborers and good harvest passes through the streets of the
town, the people honor saint by food items such as rice cakes,
candies, produce and showering crafts to the faithful as a food
of sharing the bounty received from San Isidro.
Feast of San Sebastian, the Martyr
Lumban, Laguna
On the occasion of the feast of San Sebastian, Lumban boasts
of two noteworthy events that take place side by side the town
fiesta.
The moro-moro or the “Komedya” is staged on the
eve and on the night of the Fiesta. Local talents are tapped
to perform the demanding roles that the comedia necessitates.
Wearing colorful costumes, local actors and actresses showcase
their acting prowess before spectators.
Another event that is celebrated in conjunction with the feast
is the “Paligong Poon”. This traditional procession
is observed at the Lumban River, where the Icon of the Patron
Saint, San Sebastian, together with hundreds of devotees are
float on “Kaskitos” ( a bunch of a big boat ), holding
lighted candle doing ritual turn across the river. Participating
are civic and religious organizations and groups of bands in
the locality. The icon is then paraded around the town while
locals take turns in dousing the saint and devotees. Witnessed
by spectators from the municipality and neighboring towns.
Feast of San Sebastian, the Martyr
Lumban, Laguna
On the occasion of the feast of San Sebastian, Lumban boasts
of two noteworthy events that take place side by side the town
fiesta.
Feast of San Sebastian, The Martyr
(Paligong Poon)
January 19 & 26. Lumban, Laguna
It is a procession held on the Lumban River, where the icon
of the patron saint, San Sebastian together with hundreds of
devotees is float on “kaskitos”, a bunch of big
boats.
Los Banos Barangay Fiesta:
Malinta (San Roque). August 16
Tadlak (Christ of the Ocean). April 25
Mambang (Immaculate Concepcion). December 8
Anos (San Isidro). May 15
Bagong Silang. April 4
Batong Malake (San Antonio). June 13
Baybayin (Immaculate Concepcion). December 8
Bayog (San Francisco). October 4
Lalakay (Immaculate Concepcion). December 8
Mayondon (La Purisima). 1st Sunday of May
Putho-Tuntungin. Easter Sunday
Maahas (Our Lady Of Fatima). May 13
San Antonio (San Antonio). June 13
Timugan (Immaculate Concepcion). December 8
Luisiana Day
April 18. Luisiana, Laguna
On April 3, 1854, the town of Luisiana was granted absolute
Independence and Luisiana Day is celebrated on that date every
year.
Manok ni San Pedro Festival
Good Friday. San Pedro, Laguna
It is a grand parade of various colorful floats participated
in by both Government and Private sectors while the tribal groups
aggressively partake in street dancing with numerous tribal
participants lined-up alternately with the floats.
Paete Town Fiesta
Observed in July. Paete, Laguna
Celebrated every 25th of July in honor of the town’s Patron
Saint James. A very good time to visit since all households
are in festive mood and generally, guest & visitors are
invited to share food & drinks free. Brass bands add gaiety
to the celebration by moving around town in their attractive
& beautiful uniforms. Side shows & athletic competitions
sometimes enliven the fiestas.
Rizal Day
June 19. Laguna
In memory of the birthday of the Philippine National Hero, Jose
P. Rizal, the townfolk of Calamba offers flowers to Rizal Shrine.
A civic parade also features the life and times of Dr. Rizal,
and culminates at the town plaza.
Salibanda
January. Paete, Laguna
A religious festival honoring the Sto. Nino or Holy Child this
is characterized by street dancing “ala-mardigrass”’
with participants pouring water among each other, perhaps reenacting
baptismal rites of old.
Salubong
Easter Sunday. Paete, Laguna
A religious episode based on the Via-crucis events of the crucifixion
and death of Jesus Christ. Tradition narrates to us the sorrowful
meeting of Mother Mary with her son, Jesus, on this way to the
cross. These events are dramatized live on the streets of Paete
on Holy Thursday with the wooden images of which are saints
made to move by ingenious craftsmen to stimulate live movements,
replete with appropriate dialogue.
San Pedro, Laguna Fiesta:
San Antonio, Adelina I (Saint Martin de Porres). 1st Sunday
of November
Poblacion-Bayan (San Pedro Apostol). 22nd day of February
Sampaguita (Holy Family). The Sunday after Christmas
Calendola (Saint Joseph, the Worker). 1st day of May
Narra (Most Holy Name of Jesus). 1st Sunday of November
G. S. I. S (Christ the King). 22nd day of November
U. S. P. s (Our Lady of Lourdes). 11th day of February
Landayan (Sto. Sepulcro). 29th day of May
Landayan (San Miguel). 29th day of September
Pacita I (Sto. Rosario). 3rd day of October
Pacita 2 (San Lorenzo Ruiz). 28th day of September
Elvinda (Our Lady of Fatima). 13th day of May
Chrysanthenum (Mother of Good Counsel). 25th day of April
Rosario Complex (Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary). 2nd Sunday
of October
San Isidro Festival
(Pandanan)
May 15. Luisiana, Laguna
It is celebrated yearly in honor of the Patron Saint of farmers,
San Isidro Labrador.
Santacruzan
May 1-31. Paete, Laguna
This is religious festival on the life and times of St. Helena,
the mother of Constantine the Great, who interceded on behalf
of the early Christians and saved them from the death imposed
by imperial Rome.
Turumba Festival
Good Friday. Pakil, Laguna
Held in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Turumba dates back to
1640 when a fisherman floating in the Laguna Lake found the
statuette of Our Lady of Sorrows. Legend tells that he brought
it to Pakil and left it in his boat while he sold his catch
in town. Meanwhile, a housewife saw the image where it was.
She notified the parish priest, and soon afterwards a crowd
started to gather around the banca. A farmer carried the statuette
to the church and on his way the people following him started
to sing and dance. This was the first Turumba procession. The
word “Turumba” has no real Filipino or Spanish meaning.
But according to the legend, “Turumba” was the sound
of the drumbeats during the procession.
Today, Pakil is known for the Turumba Festival. The image of
the Virgin is borne on the shoulders of the devotees and brought
to the seashore and back to the church is a festive grand procession.
The Turumba is the longest celebrated festival in the country
covering seven months. The first celebration is held a week
before Holy Week and then every ninth of the month hence for
seven months.
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