Eastern Visayas Festivals - Festivals from Samar and Leyte
September 22, 2008 by admin
Filed under Eastern Visayas Festivals, Leyte Festivals, Samar Festivals
Eastern Visayas Festivals -Festivals from Samar and Leyte
Eastern Visayas is one of the two regions of the Philippines having no land border with another region, It consists of six provinces, namely, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern Leyte. These provinces occupy the easternmost islands of Visayas: Leyte, Samar and Biliran. The regional center is Tacloban City.
Here are the Festivals and Fiestas in Samar and Leyte for the Year.
- Kadayaw Festival - January
Pambujan, Nothern Samar - Thanksgiving for God’s blessings during the first full moon.
- Homonhon Landing - March 16
Homonhon, Eastern Samar- Reenactment of the discovery of the Philippines in 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan.
- Karayapan Festival - March
Guiuan, Eastern Samar - A colorful festival depicting how the early Guiuan Townsfolk enjoyed nature’s bounties, rich marine life, fertile land, verdant forest. It is also a thanksgiving to their Patroness, the Blessed Virgin Mother.
- Pamalandong Ha Palo -Holy Week
Palo, Leyte - Dramatic reenactment of Christ’s suffering on the cross on Good Friday.
- Turugpo Festival -Holy Week
Barangay Camansi, Carigara, Leyte - Carabao Fight (Pasungay) and horse fight (Paaway) on Black Saturday.
- Sunduan ha Carigana - Holy Week
Carigara, Leyte - Grand Homecoming and festivities on Easter Sunday highlighting the rich history of Carigara, once the capital of Leyte.
- Sinugdan - March 31
Limawasa, Southern Leyte - The First Catholic Mass in the Orient is commemorated with the anniversary program and festive activities.
- Sanggutan Festival - May 18
Barugo, Leyte - Honoring the age-old process of coconut wine making. a dance of “tuba” lovers.
- Pahoy-Pahoy Festival - May 25
Calbiga, Samar - Grand Parade of colorful scarecrows and street dance to celebrate a good harvest.
- Santacruzan Festival -May
Month long nightly procession to depict the search for the cross by saintly Queen Helena.
- Manoglaya Festival - June 12
San Antonio, Northern Samar - Cultural Tourism Festival. Manoglaya is the ancient name of San Antonio. “Mano nga Paraglaya” literally means fisherman using net.
- Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival - June 27
Tacloban City, Pintados showcases the ancient practice of body painting and how Tacloban’s ascendants came to accept Christianity and develop a great love fo the Senor Sto Nino.
Kasadyaan is a pageantry of colorful and diverse festivals of the municipalities of Leyte depicting their culture, history and way of life.
- Sangyaw Festival - June 29
Sangyaw showcases the tapestry of culture of the Warays who are described as the essential Visayans becauseof their zest for life and carefree nature.
- Balyuan - June 29
Balyuan Ampitheater, Tacloban City Ceremonial exchange of images of the Holy Child between Tacloban, Leyte and Basey, Samar.
- Sto Nino de Leyte Fiesta - June 30
Jubilation on the recovery of Tacloban’s patron saint which was lost at sea in 1955. Fluvial procession, social, cultural and religious activities are held.
- Kaadlawan han Samar - August 11
Catbalogan City, Samar - Week-long celebration of Samr Province’s Foundation Day.
- Pasaka Festival - August 15
Tanauan Leyte, Legend has it that Tanauanons witnessed the assumption of Blessed Mother into Heaven. After seeing this great Miracle, they rejoiced and celebrated the event with dances.
- Hadang Festival - September 1-8
Calbayog City - A dance inpired by the movement of the cock.
- Padul-ong -September 7
A mythical presentation of how the image of the blessed Virgin was mysteriously transported to Borongan from Portugal and its connection to the Lady in White who frequented the Hamorawan Spring and caused its water to miracuously heal the locals.
- Balangiga Incident - September 21
A commemorative pageant on the Philipine-American encounter in 1901. A reminder of the Filipinos’ quest for freedom.
- Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversay - October 20
Abuyog, Dulag, Palo and Talosa Leyte - Commemorates the landing in Leyte of the Allied Forces of Liberation.
- Alikaraw Festival - December 31
Hilongos, Leyte - Alikaraw means happiness in the midst of disorder. Despite chaos and tribulation, the people of hilongos find time to thank God for their blessings through dances and songs and pray for a bountiful year ahead.
