March 11 to 16
Seslong Festival
The customs and traditions of indigenous peoples in the province are showcased in this festival in T’boli, South Cotabato province. Seslong is a T’boli term for “a gathering of people to trade goods or celebrate a socio-cultural heritage.” The festivities include a civic and military parade, farmer’s day, concert, street dancing competition and grand parade.
March 16
Strawberry Festival
Dubbed the “Strawberry Capital of the Philippines,” the town of La Trinidad in Benguet province celebrates its major industry. With this year’s theme, “La Trinidad’s Strawberries Forever,” activities include a cultural program, job fair, arts and musical concerts. Among the festival’s highlights are the trade fair to open more opportunities to farmers and the strawberry wine fair to promote their product.
March 16 to 19
Sulyog Festival
Performers in the street dance presentation portray the harvesting and selling of bananas and coconuts, the main agricultural products of the town of Bongabong, Oriental Mindoro province. Sulyog came from the Mangyan word “suli” (banana) and Filipino word “niyog” (coconut). Activities include field demonstration, mass wedding, grand parade and street dancing competition.
—Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research
Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, officialgazette.gov.ph, sarangani.gov.ph, benguet.gov.ph, pna.gov.ph, ormindoro.gov.ph