This Week’s Festivals (Sept. 2 to 8)

Busig-on Festival

The weeklong festival at Labo town in Camarines Norte province pays tribute to the Labo River, considered vital in providing access to the sea and a source of food and livelihood to residents. The festival’s name is derived from the words “busig,” which means water, and “on” meaning plenty. It is based on an epic entitled “Ang Epiko ni Busig-on” written by Dr. Carlos C. Galvez. Festivities include a landscaping competition, boodle fight, farmers’ congress, song writing competition, street dancing competition and tricycle parade.

Sept. 2 to 8

Hudyaka Festival

A thanksgiving festival in Bais City in Negros Oriental province in honor of St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the city’s patron saint. Residents participate in street dancing, while fishermen take center stage in a dance showdown to celebrate the abundant fish catch in the past year. Other activities include a circus show, photo and arts exhibit, and a beauty pageant.

Sept. 2 to 9

Feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu

Devotees of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu participate in the weeklong religious festival in San Mateo, Rizal. The celebration culminates with the parade of “kakanin” (native delicacy), which San Mateo is known for. Activities are led by Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu, which was proclaimed by the Vatican as a shrine. Residents join in the youth jam, chorale concert, praise and worship concert, theater play and the concelebrated Mass on the last day.

Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research

Sources: Inquirer Archives, DOT, iriga,gov.ph, pia.gov.ph, baiscity.gov.ph, visitmyphilippines.com, aranzazushrine.ph