Banig Festival

April 30, 2009


Badian was founded in 1746. The name Badian was derived from an edible plant called "BADYANG", which used to be very abundant in the place a long time ago.
Its oblong stalks were used to be eaten by the people then as vegetables. Eventually, it came to pass that place was reffered to as the place of many and abundant "badyang" plants. Later, the name "BADYANG" was applied to mean the entire area.

Banig Festival


Banig Festival during the ONE VISAYAS 2009

A celebration of Badian's annual fiesta, showcasing the Cebuano and Badianganon culture, tradition, delicacies and local products, especially its famous mats (banig).

Most of us must be familiar with the banig, that humble mat one spreads on a wooden or bamboo floor at night when one goes to sleep and in the morning is simply rolled to be unfurled again in the evening.

80 percent of the wives of farmers make a living from banig weaving. The process of making it is arduous beginning with the removal of thorns from the pandan plant (from which it is made), the dyeing and finally the weaving into the humble banig.

Because it is such a tedious process making it yet pitching only a very cheap price, children of weavers frown on it as a means of livelihood. They prefer instead to work in the city as domestic helpers and factory workers.

Read more...

Pitlagong Festival

April 28, 2009


The town of Argao is considered as one of the oldest towns in the province of Cebu, having been founded by the Spaniards and established as a pueblo in the year 1608. The name of the town was derived from abundantly growing plant in the area, known locally as "Sali-argaw". The culture of the Argawanons is deeply rooted in its Roman Catholic faith so most of its socio-culture activities revolve around the Fiesta and Holy Week Celebration. They are considered religious, hospitable, fun loving, hard working and determined people.

Pitlagong Festival


The Pitlagong festival of Argao is celebrated as a form of prayer and offering to Saint Michael the Archangel, the town’s patron saint. It is also considered as a way of uniting the people to participate in the community development efforts.

“Pitlagong” is an instrument made of bamboo and is used to clean the bamboo container (sugong) used in collecting coconut wine (tuba) or vinegar (suka).

“Tuba” is part of the daily lives of Argawanon.

Read more...

Siloy Festival of Alcoy during the Aliwan Fiesta 2009

April 26, 2009

The Pride of Alcoyanons in Aliwan Fiesta 2009


The municipality of Alcoy in the Southeastern part of the province of Cebu derives most of its income from the Dolomite mines, which are the biggest in the world.
But Alcoy is also home to the Mag-abo Forest where reside the Black Shama - or Siloy - a type of bird that sings a very soothing melody. With its natural habitat now designated as an ornithologist's dream destination, the Siloy's rapidly diminishing population is being zealously conserved not just as a symbol but as a cause. The festival in its name is held on the feast day of Sta. Rosa de Lima, whose intercession is invoked by the residents to protect Alcoy's eco-tourism program.

The beauty of cebuana was crown as Aliwan Festival Queen 2009.


Sian Elizabeth Maynard Aliwan Festival Queen 2009

Read more...

Tostado Festival

April 25, 2009


Santander is a 5th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 15,294 people.

Santander is the southernmost municipality of Cebu. It is the location of a sea ports that connect to Negros Oriental. Fast craft boats ferry passengers to Sibulan, Negros Oriental with trips taking 20 minutes. Roll-on roll-off barges travel to Amlan, Negros Oriental with trips taking 1 hour. It is known for its Tostados Festival.

The town was established in 1867; the parish, in 1897. The church was the work of Fr. Mauricio Alvarez, who was also credited for building the cemetery and convent, a bridge, two schools, and the tribunal.

Tostado Festival


Tostado is the town’s own delicacy. Tostado festival celebration not only manifests the people’s unique identity but also propels culture and tradition in the locality.

Read more...

Utanon Festival

April 24, 2009


Dalaguete is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 61,405 people.

Dalaguete is a 16th century old town. Oral tradition has it that before Dalagauete became a town, there were two chieftains. Cogo of Barrio Tapon and Maniktok of Barrio Obong, respectively. Dalaguete was organized as separate town when they had succesfully built a common church between their villages in a place called "Unab"

The name Dalagauete came from a tree which grew abundantly in the area the balete tree which is called as the dalakit in Cebuano.

Utanon Festival


Utanon festival is a celebration of good harvest through dance and music--- through music because the town of Dalaguete is not only known as the vegetable basket of the province but the music capital of the island as well.

Read more...

Bonga Festival/Pastores de Sibonga

April 22, 2009


Sibonga is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 40,765 people.

The socio-economic and political programs of the Southern Municipality of Sibonga focuses on the environment, health, culture and security of the people. It lies 50.7 kilometers south of Cebu City; bounded on the North by the Municipality of Carcar, on the South by the Municipality of Argao, on the West by the Minicipalities of Dumanjug and Ronda and on the East by Bohol Strait.

History of Sibonga

When the Spaniards came, the town was thickly covered with Arica palms (betel nut). They asked the natives the name of the place and what they were trading. The natives answered 'bonga', the local name of betel nuts. The Spaniards nodded and said,"Si,'bonga'." And that is how the town got its name.

Bonga Festival


Bonga festival is a form of thanksgiving for all the blessings and graces Sibonganhons have received from Sta. Filomena and Our Lady of Pilar especially for the abundant fruits found in the town.
Bunga is a Cebuano word which means fruit in English.

Pastores de Sibonga

Pastores de Sibonga is a short Christmas play which narrates the story of Christ's nativity as performed in Brgy. Magcagong, Sibonga, Cebu, Philippines. The play depicts the shepherd's adoration of the child Jesus.
Pastores de Sibonga dates back to the 1920s (Ocampo, 2004).

Pastores de Sibonga is performed by at least four dancers. The female dancer makes use of a red blouse or red shirt paired with a long white skirt. The male dancer wears a red shirt paired with black pants.

Accessories include a round hat decorated with cut-outs of the sun, moon and stars in yellow, red, green, and other brightly colored papers together with a yellow sash placed across the body.

It is performed used red fans and white handkerchiefs. An oval-shaped native fan is used and held by the right hand during the performance. The white square handkerchief is held by the left hand folded into a triangular shape.

The accompaniment music is a rondalla of stringed ensembles (guitar, banduria, and bajo). The lyrics tell of the pre-, nativity, and post-nativity settings. It expresses happiness, joy, and worship, and offers praises and gifts for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Read more...

Kadaugan Sa Mactan Opening

April 21, 2009

Hotel food at rock-bottom prices
By Dale G. Israel, Reporter

People were treated to a “food carousel” last night during the opening of the weeklong Kadaugan sa Mactan festival.

Dishes from Lapu-Lapu City’s international resorts and hotels will be available in open air stalls near the Lapu-Lapu Shrine and sold at only P5 to P100 per serving until Sunday.

“We want to make sure that the food is of hotel quality and affordable,” said Hembler Mendoza, general manager of the Waterfront Mactan Hotel and Casino and head of the food festival committee.

The food carousel is a highlight of the annual reenactment of the Battle of Mactan, which celebrates the victory of island chieftain Lapu-Lapu against Spanish explorers led by Ferdinand Magellan on April 27, 1521.


On Monday, April 27, celebrities like actor Joko Diaz, singer Gino Padilla and actress Maureen Larazabal will play the roles of Lapu-Lapu, Magellan, and the chieftains wife, Bulakna.

The road leading to the shrine and parts of barangay Maribago were closed to traffic for about an hour for yesterday’s opening ceremonies which lasted until 4 p.m.

Five groups of dancers performed. One group in Spanish costume depicted conquistadors battling natives of Mactan Island. Another group dressed as tribal Mantawi dancers of Mandaue City. A traditional Filipino wedding dance showed the bride having money bills pinned to her gown.

An inter-barangay sports festival was also opened yesterda afternoon led by Lapu-Lapu City first lady Paz Radaza.

Twelve hotels and resorts set up stalls for the food carousel, which is open from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Sunday night. In the middle of the carousel, performers serenade visitors from a 12-foot high stage.

Mendoza said changes were made to improve the activity, such as expanding the area for visitors to a vacant lot near the Magellan’s Shrine and managing the flow of guests.

“In a carousel route, visitors don’t get confused where to go first because everything is there.”
More visitors are expected to attend the event this year.

Source: http://www.cdn.ph/photostore/news_details.php?id=2244

Read more...

Kadaugan Sa Mactan


LAPU-Lapu City Mayor Arturo Radaza is calling for unity among residents as the city starts today the week-long celebration of Kadaugan sa Mactan.

“Let’s do away with crab mentality so we can achieve progress,” the mayor said in Bisaya.

Kadaugan sa Mactan is an annual week-long commemoration of the 1521 battle in Mactan between Datu Lapu-Lapu and Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan.


The festivities will kick off with a floral offering by City Hall and Philippine Air Force officials at 8 a.m. today.

At 4 p.m., the city will hold a street dance and parade from the Sto. Niño parish in Barangay Mactan to the Liberty Shrine less than a kilometer away.

Efren Belarmino, Plantation Bay general manager and chairman of the committee handling the street dance festival, said several public schools and hotel-resorts have confirmed to send contingents to the parade.

Following the parade will be the opening of a food festival at the Liberty Shrine at 6 p.m. Belarmino said the food festival will feature the menus of the different hotels in the city. During the festival, people can taste the food for free.

A platform will be built at the shrine for the holding of cultural programs during the food festival.

Radaza said the Kadaugan sa Mactan is not just about a local warrior’s victory over an invader, it is also about winning over perennial problems like poverty and the economic crisis.

City Councilor Damian Gomez, on the other hand, said the celebration is a tourist attraction and everybody should focus on its purpose.

Source: http://www3.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/kadaugan-sa-mactan-celebration-starts-today

Read more...

Siloy Festival on Aliwan Festival 2009


Siloy Festival Alcoy Cebu

The municipality of Alcoy in the southeastern part of the province of Cebu derives most of its income from the Dolomite Mines, which are the biggest in the world. But Alcoy is also home to the Mag-abo Forest where reside the Black Shama – or Siloy — a type of bird that sings a very soothing melody. With its natural habitat now designated as an ornithologist’s dream destination, the Siloy’s rapidly diminishing population is being zealously conserved not just as a symbol but as a cause. The festival in its name is held on the feast day of Sta Rosa de Lima, whose intercession is invoked by the residents to protect Alcoy’s eco-tourism program.

Source: www.aliwanfiesta.com

According to PhilStar.Com

The Cebu Provincial Capitol give 10 million support to Siloy Festival who will be participating Aliwan Festival 2009.

Read more...

Mantawi Comparza Festival 2009 Schedule of Activites

April 20, 2009




Mantawi Comparza Festival 2009 Schedule of Activites

April 29, 2009 Grand Opening Salvo

May 1. 2009 Mandauehanon Pag Abi-abi

May 2, 2009 First International Convention Taga Mandaue Inc.

May 3, 2009 First Grand Ball, Oath Taking and Induction
Ceremonies of Taga Mandaue Inc.

May 5, 2009 Mandaues Queen and Princess 2009

May 6, 2009 Mantawi Comparza Festival 2009

May 7, 2009 Miss Mandaue Coronation Night 2009

May 8, 2009 Feast Of Saint. Joseph

May 9, 2009 Miss Gay International 2009

May 10, 2009 Despidida Beach Party of Taga Mandaue Inc.

Read more...

Sikoy Sikoy Festival

April 19, 2009

San Fernando is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 54,932 people.

In 2005, Metro Cebu's definition was expanded to include Danao City in the north and the municipalities of San Fernando and Carcar down south.

By Royal Decree of 1858, the new parish in the town was erected with a parish of its town. It was named San Isidro Labrador. Later, the name was chaged to San Fernando in honor of its well-like parish, Father Fernando Sanchez, and the saint after whom he was named.

Sikoy Sikoy Festival

Sikoy Sikoy festival is a festivity to celebrate God’s gift of love to the people of San Fernando.

Sikoy Sikoy comes from the word “sikoy” which literally means “an act of fishing using nets deliberately done when tides are rough and sturdy”.

The festival is a thanksgiving ritual and a petition prayer for guidance, protection and blessings for a bountiful harvest from the farm and from the sea.

The Sikoy Sikoy festival celebrate every November 17-21.

Read more...

Kabkaban Festival


Carcar (Cebuano: Dakbayan sa Carcar, Tagalog: Lungsod ng Carcar) is a municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 100,632 people.

In 2005, Metro Cebu's definition was expanded to include Danao City in the north and the municipality of San Fernando and the city of Carcar down south.

Carcar became a city on July 7, 2007. On November 19, 2008, The City of Carcar was demoted along with 2 other cities in Cebu and 13 other cities in the Philippines. The Supreme Court ruled that the 16 cities did not pass the requirements for cityhood.

Source: click here.

Kabkaban Festival

Kabkaban Festival is a ritual dance believed to be a way of driving away bad spirits. The term is taken from a kind of grass that is so abundant in the place. Through the inspiration of Val Sandiego, the Kabkaban celebration today is given much attention by the Carcaranons and visitors from other places. This annual activity is one of the highlights of Carcar's fiesta in honor of its patroness, St. Catherine of Alexandria.

Carcar is known for its locally-made shoes. Bolo making and basket weaving are also some of the prevalent cottage industries among the Carcaranons are also into wooden furniture manufacturing and antique reproduction.

The Kabkaban festival celebrate every November 24-25.

Read more...

Pastores Festival

April 18, 2009


Naga is home to SALCON, a large power station and Cemex cement factory at Tinaa. It also one of the municipalities where the original Cebuano Pastores, a folk dance was created.

Naga is a 1st class municipality in the provivnce of Cebu. In the early times, the place was full of huge "Narra" tress. As time went by, the place's name evolved to "Naga". This place of tress became a municipality on June 12, 1829

Launching of Pastores Festival


This is only the first year, the Pastores de Naga will be joining the “festival of festivals” in August, an activity the Province hosts as part of its anniversary celebrations. THE year 2007 is a milestone year for Naga. Even as it became a city, it also honored its traditions by officially launching its own festival, the Pastores de Naga. Pastores de Naga depicts the shepherds’ retelling of Joseph and Mary’s journey to find a birthing place for the Savior, according to the Christian tradition. The story is told through songs and dances. In between songs, the presenters tell the story in a poetic manner. Six groups from the different national high schools in the city—Naga, Tuyan, Uling, Langtad, Balirong and Pangdan—presented their version of the pastores in colorful costumes. City of Naga Mayor Valdemar Chiong was the picture of a proud local executive when they launched the festival yesterday. “I hope this will continue as a tradition of Naga City and the entire Cebu. It’s so nice to be able to arouse awareness among people,” Chiong said. The pastores was how the Requinto clan caroled every Christmas, a practice handed from one generation to another. The practice is believed to date back all the way to 1600 and has gathered its own lore. Chiong heard that whoever didn’t honor the tradition in the clan got sick. But with Naga adopting the Requinto tradition as its own festival, Chiong hopes the pastores will outlive political administrations. In five to 10 years, Chiong wants the festival to attract an international crowd. “To see it more ambitiously, we will go global. Maybe (we will join) the Pastores de Mexico or Pastores de Spain,” said Chiong. The pastores was originally noticed during the Suroy-suroy sa Sugbo, which showcases Cebu’s tourist spots and local festivals. Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia encouraged Chiong to develop the festival. While, the pastores was the highlight, but it was not the only activity during Naga’s festival. It was officially opened last Dec. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Concepcion of the Virgin Mary, with a festival of lights procession. Naga City Hall and all the trees and Belen displays at the St. Francis Ocean Park were all lit up. A lantern competition was also held, as well as a daygon tour of the Requinto clan. The festival ended last night with a parade, the presentation of the pastores, fireworks display and dancing.

Source: click here.

Read more...

Kabanhawan Festival


Minglanilla Cebu, a first class municipality, is also known as the "Sugat Capital" of the South. In the early days, Minglanilla was a barangay of Talisay.

It was "Buat", a variation of the word 'bulad'which means dried fish. According to the church records, the town was founded in 1858 by Father Fernando Sanchez, the first Spanish priest who changed the name to Minglanilla, an obscure place in Spain where he was born.

Kabanhawan Festival


Sugat is a big socio-religious event in Minglanilla, which attracts not only people from adjacent towns but also from Cebu City. On Black Saturday night, a public dance is held at the Church Plaza to witness the renactment of the 'meeting' of the risen Christ and his mother.

Read more...

Inasal Festival


Talisay was founded in 1648 as an estate owned by the Augustinians. In 1849, it was converted into a municipality with Silverio Fernandez as its first gobernadorcillo and Pedro Labuca as captain.

Some accounts claim that Talisay got its name from the Magtalisay trees which are endemic in certain areas of the municipality, while others claim that Talisay got its name from a town in Spain.

During both the American colonial period and World War II, Talisay served as a haven of colonial military forces. The municipality served as the center of guerrilla intelligence operations for the Philippine resistance movement in Cebu during World War II.

Inasal Festival


Talisay is known for its "Inasal Baboy" (Roasted Pig). The succulent roasted pig is heavily flavored wiht lemongrass and star anise, the stellar attraction during feasts on holidays and special celebrations. The Inasal Festival celebrated in the Month of October.

Happy Fiesta!

Read more...

  © WebBlog Created byJayr 2009-2010 Template by: Ourblogtemplates.com

Back to TOP