THIS WEEK’S FESTIVALS: Feb. 17 to 23

Feb. 17 to 22: Sorteo Festival

A triennial celebration at the town of Carmona in Cavite province featuring the lottery of communal agricultural lands among residents, which started in the 1800s during the Spanish occupation.

The practice became a festival in 2003.

Some 109 lots are included in the lottery this year. Aside from the three-day lottery marathon, activities include a beauty pageant and singing competition.

Feb. 17 to 24: Kaganapan

The City of San Fernando in Pampanga province celebrates its 18th cityhood charter anniversary in a monthlong celebration. San Fernando became a city by virtue of Republic Act No. 8990, signed on Jan. 5, 2001. The law was approved in a plebiscite on Feb. 4 of the same year. The last week of the festivities include a bloodletting project, employees’ day, job fair, traffic summit and seniors’ day out.

Feb. 22 to 24: Pahimis Festival

An annual thanksgiving event at the town of Amadeo in Cavite province promoting coffee farming and the domestic and global consumption of coffee grown in Amadeo, dubbed the “coffee capital of the Philippines.”

Activities include a trade fair, coffee convention, cultural presentations and the awarding of the most outstanding coffee farmer.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa