Angel Festival
Date September 29
Venue San Rafael, Bulacan
Description The Angel Festival in San Rafael, Bulacan is an extravagant parade where thousands of young people dance on the streets as "angels dressed in colorful and magnificent costumes" and as symbol of the choirs of angels coming down from heaven to walk on the streets traversed by man. It is held on September 29, the feast day of the town's parton saint, San Rafael Archangel. Since 1992 when the festival started, the event never fails to draw the attention of a massive crowd to witness the angels dance. The annual celebration not only adds meaning to the rich cultural heritage of the town of San Rafael but also intensifies and deepens the devotion of people towards the Divine Healer amd Guide of the Christian pilgrim. Contact Councilor Alvin Violago (Municipal Tourism Officer) Phone (63 44) 761-5556 / 5557 / 5557 Website www.municipalityofsanrafael.gov.ph
Calumpit Libad Festival
Date June 24
Venue Calumpit, Bulacan
Description The colorful event is celebrated on June 24, the day before the fiesta, when a fluvial procession in honor of the town's patron saint, St. John the Baptist, is held on the Pampanga river which is made more festive by the presence of a host of decorated pagodas and bancas of every barangay. While the procession goes on, people dance while townsfolk watch in merriment along the riverbanks, and the traditional "Basaan" (water splashing) including the throwing of plastic-packed food keep people on their toes. Contact Avelina Vicente (Municipal Tourism Officer) Phone (63 44) 675-1892 Email [email protected] Website www.calumpit.com.ph
Fiesta Republica
City of Malolos, Bulacan, January 17 - 23
A week-long festival of history, culture, arts and heritage, in commemoration of the framing of our Philippine Constitution which paved the way for the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic (also known as the Malolos Republic) on January 23, 1899 at Barasoain Church with Emilio Aguinaldo as the President. This is the first constitution ever to be written in Asia and Africa. Eight (8) provinces representing the eight rays of the sun in the Philippine flag are all represented in the momentous event, namely, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon; Cavite, Laguna and Batangas in Southern Tagalog; and the City of Manila (provinces that revolted against Spanish rule). Activities during the celebration include memorabilia exhibit, tableaux, Dula Lansangan, Pasiklaban ng mga Banda para sa Republika, Raprapan sa Kasaysayan, Timpalak Awit-Makabayan, at Republic Day Commemorative. Presidential Proclamation No. 523 dated December 10, 2012 declared this day as a special (non-working) day in the Province of Bulacan. For further details, contact Armand Sta. Ana, City Tourism Officer, Phone (63 44) 794-6007 or email [email protected]
Obando Fertility Dance
Date May 17 - 19
Venue Obando, Bulacan
Description Devotees from all over dance their way to find a lover or be rewarded with a child on the feast days of San Pascual Baylon, Sta. Clara de Asis and La Concepcion de Nuestra known as Virgen de Salambao every May 17 - 19. Be enthralled by rythmic dances of men and women accompanied by traditional brass bands - all garbed in Filipiniana attire. RELATED INFORMATION (Source: www.bulacan.gov.ph): Each year, this glorious hymn (Sta. Clarang Pinungpino...) could be heard as the devotees stamp their feet, wave their hands and sway their hips towards the Obando Church during the three-day celebration in honor of San Pascual Baylon on the 17th, Santa Clara on the 18th and the Virgen de Salambao on the 19th of May. The authenticity of the Obando Fertility rites is referred to in Dr. Jose Rizal's Noli Me Tangere where Dona Pia Alba had to dance the pandanggo in Obando in order to bear a child who was Maria Clara. Graced with unrestrained enthusiasm, the age-old tradition of Obando, Bulacan is a restatement of the belief that childless couples can still be blessed with a sibling if they implore the aid of patron saint Santa Clara, while other pilgrims invoke the saints' intercession for a wife or husband, and sometimes for good fortune. The celebration is held in Obando, Bulacan, where its friendly people offer accommodation and food for their house guests with one condition, that in return for their stay, the guests have to purchase the candle the Obando folk sell. LEGEND OF THE FERTILITY DANCE: It is believed that the fertility dance originated from a miracle performed by Saint Pascual Baylon (San Pascual Baylon) who was a member of the Franciscan Order. He was very much blessed by the Holy Spirit, and to show his adoration and respect for God, he usually danced merrily and with great devotion. Many miracles were attributed to San Pascual Baylon. A story related that San Pascual Baylon sometimes visit villages in Obando and other neighboring towns disguised as a vinegar peddler. He then advised couples to go to the Obando Church to pray for a child. Many followed the advice and to their surprise, the image of San Pascual Baylon resembled that of Pascual, the vinegar peddler. Believing that what happended to them was a miracle, they danced with joy in front of the altar. And a few months later, many couples' faith was rewarded with a happy baby. The account of the miracle spread and was told and retold a thousand times, and soon devotees began flocking to Obando during the feast day of San Pascual Baylon on May 17 to perform the annual fertility dance. Contact Person Divina Quetua Tel. No. (63 44) 662-7635/791-7335/662-7635
RELATED ARTICLES:
THE THREE PATRON SAINTS
ST. Claire (Santa Clara) is a nun from Assisi, Italy during the 13th century. She established a congregation popularly known as “Pobres Claras” in honor of the teaching of St. Francis of Assisi.
She is said to be the patron saint of good weather because of what her name implies in Spanish. The name Claire in Spanish means clear or unclouded atmosphere after a rain, that’s why a lot of devotees believed that offering of eggs before St. Claire is an effective form of prayer to cast away bad weather. Eggs were used as offering because the name Claire is said to be delivered from the Spanish word “claro” which pertains to albumen or egg whites.
At present, St. Claire is likewise known in the world of mass media as the patron saint of televising.
History reveals that St. Claire was the first patron saint known in Obando this is because the Franciscan friars first brought the statue of St. Claire in Obando, after which, they encouraged the natives of Obando to become Catholics. Little by little, dancing performed by the natives before their gods during rituals was converted into a dance in honor of St. Claire.
St. Paschal Baylon (San Pascual Baylon) was introduced to the people of Obando in the 18th century by a parish priest assigned to build th Obando church.
St. Paschal’s surname “Baylon’ means dancing in Spanish. There were numerous anecdotes appertaining to the miracle done by St. Paschal, one of which is a story which relates that there was once a couple from hagonoy, Bulacan who chanced upon a peddler selling crabs, that later invited the former to attend the festivities in Obando, the couple succumb to the invitation. When the couple paid a visit to Obando church to hear mass, they were astonished when they saw the semblance between the statue of St. Paschal in the altar and the peddler whom they met.
At present, St. Paschal, is also believed to be the patron saint of childless couples.
Our Lady of Salambao (Mahal na Birhen ng Salambao) completes the triumvirate. The Virgin of Salambao was brought to Obando in the 19th century. Two fishermen by the names of Juan and Julian dela Cruz were busy fishing in Binoangan, Tambobong (Malabon) when they unexpectedly caught in their fish nets (Salambao) the image of the Virgin. According to old folktales, when the two fishermen were about to bring the image of Virgin to Navotas, their boat suddenly became heavy that they cannot move towards Navotas, and when they decided to bring the image instead to Obando, their boat lighten enabling them to sail again smoothly. From then on, the image was named as Our Lady of Salamao and was since then enshrined in the altar of Obando church.
The Virgin of Salambao is well known in Obando for being the patron saint of fishermen. She also considered as a patron saint of childless couple. (Source: Obando brochure) Contact Lorna Marquez (Municipal Tourism Officer) Phone (63 2) 299-1234 Email [email protected]
Pagoda sa Wawa
Date 1st Sunday of July
Venue Bocaue, Bulacan
Description Held annually on the 1st Sunday of July in the town of Bocaue, the festival features a fluvial parade in honor of the miraculous "Krus sa Wawa". A huge pagoda bearing the image of the Krus accompanied by some 200 devotees symbolizes a dramatic tradition inspired by centuries-old tales. It is believed that the mounting of such a festival assures the agricultural town of Bocaue a bountiful harvest. Pagoda sa Wawa, in the truest sense, is an exploration of the medium of the water or the river to dramatize the meaning of Christianity in the lives of the local folks. Legend says that a wooden cross was seen drifting along the Bocaue River one day of July, in the year 1850. Found at the intersection of two tributaries, the cross was left to float by a local fisherman named Crispin Mendoza and tested on which direction it would go. And when the tide led it naturally to the direction of Bocaue, it was brought immediately to the church to become the parish's principal object of veneration, eclipsing on most occasions the original patron saint of the town, Saint Martin of Tours. Boat races, nine-day prayers, games, revelry and races are all done in the river before the Miraculous Cross is transferred to the church where it will be enshrined for the entire year. Contact Liwayway Eugenio (Municipal Administrator) Phone (63 44) 692-1234/3038 Email [email protected]
Pastillas Festival
Date Month of May
Venue San Miguel, Bulacan
Description The festival is a tribute to one of the town's famous sweets - pastillas de leche (carabao milk candies). The town was formerly known as San Miguel de Mayumo, so called because it was renowned for the sweets made there. Among the events in the festival are demonstrations on pastillas cooking and the craft of making pabalat, the lacey pastillas wrappers made of rice paper.
The art of Pastillas candy making: Five pails of milk can yield only about two pails worth of pastillas. Carabao's milk and white sugar are stirred continuously over low heat until the mixture thicken. This is usually flavored with dayap (native lime). This is now cooled, cut into bite-sized cylindrical pieces and rolled in white sugar. The result is the softest, creamiest, melt-n-the-mouth candy. This is then wrapped in rice paper, whether it be fancy or plain.
Pulilan Carabao Festival
Date May 14 - 15
Venue Pulilan, Bulacan
Description An annual festival featuring hundreds of water buffaloes (carabao) parading along the streets of Pulilan followed by a throng of colorful floats and farming machines - all celebrating the feat of their patron saint, San Isidro de Labrador. The popular beasts of burden are cleaned and waxed to an ebony shine, their horns festooned with garlands of flowers, and and made to take a bow before the town church by performing the traditional genuflection - an incredible feat that never fails to mesmerize local and foreign visitors. One week before the the feast day, a number of agri-related events are held in the town to primarily focus on and promote the economic development programs of the local government. Farmers hold contest such as carabao races, best crops competition and other folk children's games. Prizes are at stake for the best-looking carabao, the most skillful and the cleanest, the best themed-cart float, among other events. Contact Santos Santos (Municipal Tourism Officer) Phone (63 44) 676-1234
Sto. Nino Festival
Date 4th Week of January
Venue Malolos City, Bulacan
Description The biggest expression of devotion to the Holy child Jesus in the entire Luzon island. The event features a week long celebration cum exhibits, a procession featuring more than a hundred caros of diverse images of the the Sto. Nino. Contact Bulacan Provincial Tourism Office Beth Alonzo / Ely dela Cruz Phone (63 44) 791-6604 / 2480 Email [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] Website www.bulacan.gov.ph
Singkaban Festival (Linggo ng Bulacan)
Date Sept. 8 - 15
Venue Malolos City, Bulacan
Description Known to many as Linggo ng Bulacan, the festival is a celebration of the arts and culture for the patron saint of the province, the Fiesta of Our Lady of Victory and is held at the provincial capitol grounds, Malolos City, on September 8 - 15 of every year. In conjunction with this, the annual Singkaban Festival is held. Singkaban is an acronym for "sining at kalinangan' (art and culture). It celebrates also the anniversary of the first Philippine Congress established on September 15, 1898 at Barasoain Church. Festivities include a 'balagtasan' (debate or declamation patterned after the poetry of Francisco Balagtas), folk dances, 'kundiman' (Filipino plaintive love song), Indakan sa Kalye (street dancing), and Lakan at Lakambini ng Bulacan beauty pageant. The event also showcases Bulacan's products - fireworks, plants, and delicacies like puto, inipit and pastillas de leche. In 2008, the provincial government made a bid to establish the LONGEST PASTILLAS (Carabao milk candy) in the Guinness World Record under the category of 'amazing feats' at 202.6 meters long, 5 inches in diameter (more than 4,000 kilos to prepare, 12,800 liters of carabao milk, 1,600 kilos of sugar and 200 volunteers to shape and wrap the longest candy bar). Contact Jose Roel Paliligan (Municipal Tourism Officer) Phone (63 44) 791-6806 or Bulacan Provincial Tourism Office Contact Beth Alonzo / Ely dela Cruz Phone (63 44) 791-6604 / 2480 Email [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected] Website www.bulacan.gov.ph
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