March 5 to 12
Abra centennial celebration
The province of Abra celebrates its centennial founding anniversary with weeklong festivities, starting with the Iloko-Tingguian Festival on March 5. A fun run, marching band competition and a women’s day will be held before the grand float parade on March 9. Sports tournaments and an educator’s day will also be held.
March 8
Bulawan Festival
The province of Compostela Valley celebrates its 19th founding anniversary along with the festival of “bulawan,” which means “gold” in Cebuano. One of the highlights of the festival is the Solidarity Ring, an 18-karat ring worth P1.5 million, on display at the provincial capitol.
March 10
Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival
An annual cultural festival that also aims to raise awareness on the protection and sustainability of the environment, held at the foot of Mt. Malasimbo in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro province. Local and international artists and tourists gather on the shores of Puerto Galera Bay to celebrate traditional and contemporary arts in a series of shows.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, Official Calendar of the Republic, uplb.edu.ph, New York Times, news.pia.gov.ph, ecomval.gov.ph, Malasimbo Festival FB page