This Week’s Festivals: Sept. 17 to 23, 2017

Sept. 17

Karansa Festival

The people of Danao City in Cebu province give thanks to the city’s patron Santo Tomas de Villanueva through dancing or “karansa.” The festival’s street dancing features basic steps such as “kiay, kurug kurug and karahay” (sway, shake and judder.)

Sept. 18

Talakudong Festival

A celebration in Tacurong City in Sultan Kudarat province, where “talakudong” or headgear in colorful patterns are showcased in a street dancing competition. Other events include a float parade, an agro-industrial fair and a beauty pageant.

Sept. 20 to 26

Lembuhong Festival

A festival in the town of Surallah in South Cotabato province. Activities include street dancing, where participants are clad in colorful costumes; sociocultural festivities showing local talents and agri-fair featuring the town’s major products such as corn and rice.

Sept. 21 to 26

Ma-Tzu Festival

A religious festival in San Fernando City, La Union province, that pays homage to Our Lady of Casasay, who is believed by devotees to be also Ma-Cho (or Ma-Tzu), the queen of heavens and protector of sea among Chinese folk deities. Members of the Chinese-Filipino community in the city visit the shrine of Ma-Cho at the Ma-Cho Temple in  San Fernando.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, pia.gov.ph, usi.edu.ph, cebu.gov.ph, tacurong.gov.ph, southcotabato.gov.ph, sanfernandocity.gov.ph