When summer season starts in Iloilo, the time to showcase the province’s rich culture, heritage and merriment begins with festive colors. Exciting delicacies, trek to some exciting places and meeting gentle people will surely make you realize that Iloilo is truly the heart of the Philippines. Join us in rediscovering Iloilo’s best summer festivals from April to May.
Saad Festival (Leganes, Iloilo, First week of April)
Semana sang Iloilo. Photos by Mark Segador
Leganes is a town located in the north of Iloilo City celebrates Saad Festival every first week of April. Saad Festival is a grandiose display of Ilonggo faith, a religious fiesta that honors Saint Vincent Ferrer and a colourful showcase of culture and spiritual heritage of Leganes. “Saad,” a Hiligaynon term which means “a vow,” is a festival highlighted by a colourful procession and performance of various competing groups to express their deep devotion to Saint Vincent Ferrer and to call for an abundant life from God.
Getting to Leganes is accessible through local public transport vehicles from Iloilo City either by bus, taxi cab or jeepneys. Travel time takes 20 to 30 minutes from Iloilo International Airport.
Semana Sang Iloilo (Province of Iloilo, Second week of April)
Semana sang Iloilo. Photo by Mark Segador
The Province of Iloilo celebrates a weeklong event called “Semana sang Iloilo” (Iloilo Week) that significantly promotes the rich cultural heritage, products and progress of the province every second week of April at the Iloilo Capitol Grounds. It is also a celebration of Iloilo Province’s foundation and establishment. The event consists of agricultural and trade expo of local products, awarding of outstanding government employees, festival parade called “Pasundayag” and food festival. Various towns and municipalities in Iloilo come together in this one grandiose event to celebrate culture, abundance and progress.
Surong Festival (Janiuay, Iloilo, last week of April)
Surong Festival. Photos from mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com
Rich in cultural heritage and a people known for their strength and impressive characters, the town of Janiuay in Iloilo celebrates “Surong Festival” every last week of April. Surong Festival is defined as an eco-agri and cultural festival that unites the people of Janiuay to take pride of their municipality and their unique culture. The festival’s main highlight is the “Kinabun” or tribe performance from various groups that depicts history, culture, myths and traditions. The town takes pride of their historical sites and attractions that reflects their grandeur past such as the Janiuay Catholic Cemetery of Neo-gothic architecture constructed in 1875, the Ruins of San Julian Parish Church built on baked bricks and corals showcasing Neo-classical architecture with byzantine elements, Wolrd War II Japanese Pillboxes along the Suage River, and promotes their local tourism attraction, the Damires Hills Tierra Verde Resort.
Take local public transport (bus jeepney or van) at Ungka Terminal going to the town of Janiuay for 45 minute to 1 hour ride.
Tampisaw Festival (Concepcion, Iloilo, Fourth Week of April)
Tampisaw Festival. Photo from Iloilo.net.ph
Another exciting cultural celebration is Tampisaw Festival in the town of Concepcion, Iloilo. “Tampisaw” is a Hiligaynon word which means, “to wade in the water,” reflects the town folks love of water as the source of their livelihood and rich culture. The location of the festival is Pan de Azucar seascape, a 45-minute boat ride from the main island. Here, various activities, competitions, beauty pageants and events are held to showcase local culture, traditions and presentations that ultimately share the vision of protecting the natural wonders of the municipality.
Concepcion is located in the northern part of Iloilo reachable through public bus travel for a few hours.
Carabao Carroza Festival (Pavia, Iloilo, First week of May)
Carabao Carroza Festival. Photos from Iloilo.gov.ph
The town of Pavia in Iloilo celebrates Carabao Carroza Festival since 1973 as an annual cultural festivity of tradition and history every first week of May. The festival attracts visitors and tourist every year with their unique activities by featuring Carabao (Water Buffalo) in Carabao Carroza Parade and Carabao Carroza Race. These activities showcase the Carabao in coloful designs carrying a “carroza,” a local wooden carriage used by local farmers for their agricultural livelihood. These carrozas carry their local muses called Carabao Carroza Queens throughout the town during a grand parade.
Pavia is a town next to Cabatuan where the Iloilo International Airport is located. Just take a local public transport (bus or jeepney) to reach the town for a few minutes ride.
Tubong-Tubong Festival (Tubungan, Iloilo, First Week of May)
Tubong-Tubong Festival. Photos from Iloilo.net.ph
Tubong-Tubong Festival in Tubungan, Iloilo was established with its mission of promoting and preserving the cultural and artistic heritage of the people of this town. While dedicated to maintain the traditional aspects of their past, the celebration also presents to the public, a variety of cultural programs. The municipality is known for its rolling hills, mountains and a number of waterfalls. Tubong-Tubong Festival is a week-long festival featuring live music, dance, agricultural fair, food, sports and community outreach and many other activities. Derived from the Hiligaynon word “tubong” or “to contribution or chip-in,” the festival is based on the local tradition of Filipinos called “Bayanihan.”
Katagman Festival (Oton, Iloilo, First week of May)
Katadman Festival. Photos from mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com
The Katagman Festival is celebrated every first week of May in Oton, Iloilo. The festival is a way for the Ogtonganons to preserve their rich heritage and culture. Oton’s history stretches back all the way to the 13th century. It was the seat of the Madia-as Confederation under Datu Paiburong in 1226. The confederation was done in Katagman, which is now Brgy. San Antonio. The highlight of the Katagman festival is the re-enactment of the discovery of the Gold Mask or the “Bulawan nga Maskara.” It serves as the official symbol of the Katagman Festival.
The most awaited part of the festival is the Music, Dance and Theater competition which includes the streetdancing and the reenactment of the Ogtonganon ancestors such as the discovery of the Gold Mask. In the contest, there are seven groups of participants or tribes that represent the ancient people in Oton. There’s streetdancing and the use of native musical instruments. After the streetdancing, the seven tribes present their own interpretation of how Oton came to be in the 13th century.
Oton is the first town in the southern part of Iloilo and it can be reached by local bus or jeepney ride for 10-15 minutes from Iloilo City.
Haw-as Festival (Dumangas, Iloilo, First Week of May)
Haw-as Festival. Photos by Joe de Luna
The Haw-as Festival in Dumangas, Iloilo celebrates the abundant harvest from the sea. The name comes from the Hiligaynon term “haw-as,” which means harvesting fish and other aqua-marine resources from the sea. Some of the festival highlights include the Haw-as Guban, or a street dancing competition where participants dress up as the haw-as or fish combined with colourful costumes, well-choreographed dances and merriment. Other activities include fireworks display, sports fest and many more.
Dumangas can be reached through public transportation via Tagbak Terminal or Ceres Terminal in Jaro, Iloilo with a 30-minute ride.
Tangyan Festival (Igbaras, Iloilo, Second Week of May)
Tangyang Festival. Photos from Iloilo.nept.ph
Igbaras, Iloilo comes alive with the annual celebration of Tangyan Festival highlighted by the street-dancing and tribe competition every second week of May. The theme explores the role of the river as a recreational treasure in Igbaras, an inspiration for art, habitat for wildlife, and as a major supplier of water for drinking and industry.Aside from folk history and religious beliefs, performers take the issue of the environment on stage using highly expressive movements and prop that vividly lamented on the most dangerous threat to the Mother Earth.
The name Tangyan, with reference to the river, was based on local folk history. Orang Tangyan, father of Maniwangtiwang, the wife of Marikudo, the Ati Chieftain in Panay, once lived in the plains of Igtalongon, a settlement at the foot of Mount Napulak along the river. The river was named after him.
Ride a local jeepney going to Igbaras at Mohon Terminal in Villa. The ride will take an hour before reaching the town proper.
Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan (Iloilo Province, Last Week of May)
Photo from Iloilo.net.ph
Photo from fineartamerica.com
Flores de Mayo (Spanish for "Flowers of May") is a festival held in the Philippines in the month of May. It is one of the May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lasts for the entire month. The Santacruzan is the pageant on the last day of Flores de Mayo, held in honour of Helena of Constantinople (known as Reyna Elena) and Constantine the Great finding the True Cross in Jerusalem.
Since the Province of Iloilo is greatly-influenced by its strong and deep Christian Catholic tradition, Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan is annually held in many towns and barangays to preserve the tradition and serve a beacon of faith for the people. The annual event is participated in by beautiful ladies who served as muses and symbol of purity in the community through a religious parade.
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