This Week’s Festivals: Nov. 12-19, 2017

Nov. 12

Helobung Festival

The town of Lake Sebu in South Cotabato province celebrates its culture and people, including the T’boli ethnic group, which traces its roots in the province. Among the town’s featured products are T’nalak, the traditional abaca cloth woven by the T’boli. Events include a cultural parade, dance festival, singing contest and a fashion show featuring T’boli clothing.

Nov. 12 to 22

Virgen de la Regla fiesta celebration

A religious and cultural festival in Lapu-Lapu City (formerly Opon) on the island of Mactan. Locals pay homage to its patroness, Virgen de la Regla, or Virgin of the Rule, whose image is kept in a national shrine.  Activities include a fluvial procession, disco party, employees’ night, fun run and a beauty pageant.

Nov. 19

Higantes Festival

The festive event in Angono, Rizal province, showcasing giant paper effigies, called higantes, is in honor of the town’s patron, Saint Clement. According to studies, higantes were made “to add an element of festivity and joy to the postwar ambience of Angono fiestas.” A highlight of the festival is the fluvial procession carrying the patron saint’s image along Laguna de Bay.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, Historical Calendar (1521-1969), Filipinos in History Vol. II, angono.gov.ph, southcotabato.gov.ph, lapulapucity.gov.ph