Kalabaw Festival

• celebrated on the feast day of San Isidro Labrador (St. Isidore the Worker), the farmer's patron saint from
May 15 to 16 as tribute to the water buffalos or carabaos in the farming townof …

• According to historical records, San Isidro was hired as a "labrador" or laborer. He worked in a farm and
his landlord was astonished when he was still capable of finishing his tasks despite his coming late to work
most of the time. Curious by this strangeness, he investigated and saw that the person plowing the field was
an angel. Amazed, he knelt before San Isidro and the image of a kneeling man is often associated with the
patron saint.

Thus, the Hispanic feast of San Isidro evolved into the Carabao Festival since the carabao is an important
animal to farmers because it helps them plough their fields and produce a good harvest.

• It is manifested by a two-day revelry where one can witness street dancing and a procession of more than
twenty beautifully decorated carabaos. A variety of multi-colored fruits, vegetables, flowers, candies and
other food crops are hung on bamboo poles and carts. These carts, pulled by the carabaos serves as floats.

• HIGHLIGHT: Farmers pay tribute to carabaos. Farmers brush their carabaos' skin until it is sleek and
shiny, the horns are rubbed with oil and given shine. Then the carabaos are decorated with ribbons or
sometimes painted and attached to carts. The floats are being pulled by these large mammals symbolizing
the different stages of rice production paraded. From pagsusuyod (tilling) up to pagsasako (sacking), these
stages were presented artfully, they’ve even included a replica of a ricefield. In the afternoon, farmers lead
their carabaos to the church square to be part of the procession. At the church, the carabaos not only kneel
for their blessings but also walk on their knees like penitents in front of the church. A priest blesses each
one of the carabaos as they pass by the church and pay homage to their patron saint, ensuring their good
health and vitality for the coming year.

• HIGHLIGHT: On the second day, the carabaos compete in a friendly race, each pulling a bamboo carriage
on a 400-meter course. These carabaos were trained daily for several weeks before the festival begins.
Prizes are awarded to the strongest and most beautifully decorated carabaos.

• Marching bands where the audience are treated with the majorette’s dancing and baton twirling exhibition,
the children’s drum and lyre band and the street dancers who takes center stage and exhibited various folk
dances which usually delights both tourist and locals alike.
Dagupan Festival

• It celebrates the province's Bonuan bangus, which is renowned for its unique taste.

• To emphasize the local bangus industry and promote Dagupan as the Bangus Capital of the World

• The festival commences with the lighting of 1,000 barbecue grills lined up to cook thousands of bangus,
which stretches up to two kilometers. This also serves as a competition for hundreds of cooks, whose dishes
are not only judged by the grilling but through whipping up the tastiest and most creative way of serving
bangus. The contest was eventually called “'101 Ways to Cook Bangus” and won for the city a recognition
in the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest barbecue in 2003.

• Aside from the grilling challenge, the festivity showcases a bangus eating contest, a search for the biggest
and heaviest bangus, the Gilon-gilon dancing festival, the Pigar-pigarfestival, the Halo-halo festival, and
the Bangusan street party, where several local and Manila-based bands perform along Jose R. De Venecia
Expressway Extension.

• The biggest, heaviest and yes, sexiest bangus will be selected.

• The Bangus Festival is one of the most prominent festivals in Philippines. The barbecue grills used in
the Bangus Festival, Philippines stretch for nearly two-kilometers. Due to this reason, Philippines holds the
Guinness World Record for possessing the longest barbecue grill.
• During the Bangus Festival, hundreds of cooks participate in the fish cooking competition. Grilling is not
the only thing stressed at in the competition. While the competition goes on, hundreds of chefs compete to
cook the tastiest and most creative Bangus dish. This competition is famous by the name '101 Ways to
Cook Bangus' competition.
• Another competition witnessed during the Bangus Festival in Philippines is the Bangus Rodeo. This
comprises a Bangus eating competition followed by a contest for the fish themselves. This is the most
unique aspect of the Bangus Festival, Philippines. The heaviest and the biggest fishes are awarded with
prizes. The Bangus Festival, Philippines culminates with a street party. This party starts with the
performances of dancers who celebrate the Bangus harvest. After sometime, everybody joins in the
merriment. Eating is a special part of the Bangus Festival, Philippines.

• Bangus Festival, Philippines is a yearly event that highlights the local bangus industry. Not only that, the
festival establishes Dagupan City as a major tourist destination and promotes the city as the "Bangus
Capital of the World." Bangus Festival, Philippines was started by Mayor Benjamin S. Lim of Dagupan. He
wanted to start the festival to lay emphasis on Bonuan bangus. This fish is said to have a unique taste of its
own.
• There are many activities related to the Bangus Festival, Philippines. These include the Bangus ed Carosa,
a float parade on April 28, the Bangus Rodeo on April 29, the Kalutan ed Dagupan on April 30 and Pista'y
Dayat or the Sea Festival on May 1. The cooking competition takes place on April 27 at the City People's
Astrodome. The Bangus Festival is one of the best events and festivals in Philippines. Bangus Festival,
Philippines has given the country international fame. Authentic online information on Bangus Festival,
Philippines is offered only at travel.mapsofworld.