The festive atmosphere here on Wednesday, the feast of the farmers’ patron saint, San Isidro de Labrador, was pure celebration, albeit still commercialized, but showed no more traces of the feverish and divisive election experienced by the country on Monday.
The practice of Mindoro women carrying oil lamps with lighted wicks flickering like fireflies as they send off their husbands in the cold early morning hours to fish out to the open sea became the inspiration for the official festival of Oriental Mindoro.
A Parade of Higantes —giant colorful creatures representing Albay’s mythological characters—highlighted the grand opening of Daragang Magayon Festival that kicked off on Monday.
Organizers of the Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo’s top tourist attraction, have barred campaign materials of candidates in the May elections in judging areas.
