This week’s festivals
May 7
Ayuquitan Festival
The town of San Jose in Negros Oriental province celebrates the festival named after its previous name, Ayuquitan. Spaniards who came upon a group of natives asked the name of the town, but locals thought they were asking about a pile of husks and fruit peels called “inokitan.” The Spaniards pronounced it as “ayuquitan” which would be the town’s name before it became San Jose. Festival events include street dancing, pageants and cultural contests.
May 12
Saging Festival
Residents of Lazi in Siquijor province celebrate their bountiful harvest of banana, the town’s major agricultural product. The festival’s street dances depict the production cycle of the fruit from planting to harvesting.
May 13 to 15
Kanglambat Festival
The festival, considered the grandest in Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental province, showcases “lambat” or net, which is made from various indigenous resources such as bamboo and abaca.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, Official Calendar of the Republic, Historical Calendar (1521-1969)
