The festival is inter-municipality street-dancing competition in the morning and a culture presentation in the evening; showcasing the signature music, costumes and choreography that honor the traditions and rich cultural heritage of the province.
Arwin Lingat, provincial tourism officer, said this is one of the rare opportunities to witness the grand traditions and culture of the Kapampangan people all at the same time.
“We are privileged that this year, the provincial government under the leadership of Gov. Lilia Pineda has united the local government units to partake in this spectacular event,” Lingat said.
He said it is a manifestation of the real meaning of this year celebration theme “Abe-abe Pagmasusian, Panyulung ning Kapampangan.”
Gov. Pineda, together with the board members and mayors, never ceased to get excited every time the drums beat and music played. They were pleased to see the difference and uniqueness of each of the festivals in the province.
Mabalacat’s Caragan Festival is named after the first and only king of the Aeta. This festivity highlights the life and times of the Aeta being the first settlers of the town.
Mole crickets are copious in Magalang making KAMARU festival a town’s pride.
BAGYUS (wings) of Angeles City symbolizes how Angeleños bounced back when it was hit by calamities and tragedies.
Fiesta of the patron saint, San Jose, is the most celebrated occasion in Floridablanca, making it their town’s festival. The same with Mexico whose festival is a dedication to the patron saint, San Nicolas.
The abundance of mango or MANGGA in Arayat is very distinct. Every barangay has hectares of mango plantation. It is then realized that this fact should be bragged about by participating in this event.
SAMPAGUITA is a blooming industry in the province that emanated from the municipality of Lubao. It is one of the major livelihoods of Lubeños and now their remarkable signature festivity.
BINULU is an ancient type of cooking rice and viands together in a thin, hollow green bamboo known as bulu. This exceptional early tradition in Porac is acknowledged in and outside the province.
Harvested only in the cool air of November, Sta. Rita’s Duman o malagkit rice is widely known for its distinct taste.
KURALDAL, Pampanga’s own version of the fertility festival in Obando, Bulacan, is held in Sasmuan. It is a night of swaying, jumping and dancing around the image of the town’s patron saint, Sta. Lucia.
SUN-SEA-MOON, came from the name of the municipality itself, SAN SIMON, wherein folks believed that their town is blessed and guided by the sun, sea and moon, making them productive whole-year round.
The ability to recover and adjust to any misfortune is a trait of the people of Bacolor. In order to commemorate how they overcame the adversities during Mt. Pinatubo Eruption, the town preserved it through the Makatapak (on bare foot) Festival.
Ibon-Ebon Festival is a celebration of Candaba being the home of migratory birds and major producer of duck eggs.
The convergence of the festivals is not a competition. It is a recognition and acceptance that even though we are all Kapampangans, we have our own beliefs, values, traditions and history that should be respected and honored, thus developing harmony that will bring Pampanga’s victory.
Seven festivals emerged winners during the presentation. These were: Binulu Festival of Porac and Makatapak of Bacolor placed as 3rd runners-up; 2nd runners-up Ibon-Ebon of Candaba and Kamaru of Magalang; Angeles’ Bagyus Festival and Sta. Rita’s Duman as 1st Runners-up; and, Caragan of Mabalacat as the Champion.
By Jenna V. Lumbang
