FESTIVALS IN LAGUNA

Ana Kalang Festival, celebrated every April 13th-17th Nagcarlan, Laguna supposedly got its name from the legendary head of the tribe before Christianity was brought to the Philippines- Ana Kalang. This beautiful and capable leader, allegedly saw the Virgin Sta. Ana, who took the poison out of the lanzones fruit so that it can be edible, thus, the name Ana Kalang Festival, in honor of the fruit which is one of the town’s main agricultural product.

Coconut Festival

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In San Pablo City, Laguna Coconut is one of the main products of the city. To make the most of the “Tree of Life”, and to show the world the talents and ingenuity of the local townsfolk, the Coconut Festival came into existence. Now on its 10th year, having its maiden year on January, 1996, the coco fest is held during the celebration of the city’s patron saint, St. Paul the First Hermit, which falls every 15th of January.

Feast of the Risen Christ

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San Pablo City, Laguna, an age-old tradition for the San Pableños is the observance of the Holy Week wherein a procession of life-sized images in huge carozas (floats) depicting the passion of Christ is done. Held every Holy Wednesday and Good Friday, the Feast of the Rise Christ, a religious holiday, people from near and far were free to troop to this place to witness this event.

Mayflower Festival

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In San Pablo City, Laguna, another age-old tradition that the San Pableños celebrate is the Flores de Maria sometimes also called as Santacruzan held on the month of May, one of the summer months in the Philippines. The Flores de Maria is offering of flowers to the Blessed Virgin Mary done by small girls to teen-aged ones donned in gowns. Before the offering of the flowers, these lovely ladies parade in streets at night. Santacruzan, on the other hand, is a reenactment of the finding of the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Festivals of Lights

Photo from: spirituality.knoji.com

In the celebration of Christmas during December, the people of San Pablo have always made it their tradition to adorn the front of their houses, especially their windows, the trees or plants on their front yard or even their gates, with strings of colorful lights as a symbol of welcoming the birth of Christ. With this, the tourism Council of San Pablo thought that it will be best to make this tradition a more festive occasion, thus, the birth of the Festival of Lights which had its maiden year in December, 2004.

Bangkero Festival

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The Bangkero Festival was launched in May, 1999 in Pagsanjan, Laguna as a showcase for the bravery of its boatmen (bangkeros). The Bangkero Festival was conceptualized in honor of the people who has worked hard to present the world their hometown’s natural wonder. Not minding the strong river current, these boatmen carry people to the site of the famous waterfall. It is just apt that the city government gives tribute to them through the Bangkero Festival.

Tsinelas Festival

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Liliw, Laguna This little town is actually the Footwear Capital of Laguna, being the source of quality footwear, most notably tsinelas (slippers). No wonder not only residents of neighboring towns patronize their products but balikbayans as well.

Because of the thriving footwear industry, the local government, through the encouragement of the Southern Tagalog Tourism Council whose main concern is to develop tourism in Region IV through the implementation of FESTIVALS, conceptualize the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival. The festival is dubbed as such in honor of the town’s founder-Gat Tayaw- and its major industry-tsinelas. First held in April 5-7, 2002, the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival was a raging success with no less than Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the guest of honor.

Pinya Festival

Photo from: dotpcvc.gov.ph

Calauan, Laguna, located 74 kilometers south of Manila is known for its prime agricultural product- pinya (pineapple). Claiming their local product is the sweetest in the Philippines, the town is trooped by people from near or far alike. It is just natural that their local officials create a festival using their most treasured possession.

The Pinya Festival started in May, 2003 as the highlight in the celebration of the town’s fiesta, the feast of San Isidro Labrador. The festivities include Trade Fair Exhibit, Nightly Cultural Presentations, Culinary Contest, Search for Binibining Calauan, Grand Float Parade and Mardigras Street Dancing.

Itik Festival

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Itik ( Anas Plathrhynchos Linn ) a breed of duck, is the main product of the town of Victoria in Laguna. This small, bustling town is the center of the duck industry in the province. In this regard, on the occasion of its 52nd year as a municipality, the local government launched the Itik Festival on November, 2002.

Turumba Festival

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One of the most celebrated religious festivals in the country is the Turumba festival in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows – Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba. Based on research the original framed Image of the Virgin is the picture of the Virgin of Sorrows with the name “Virgin de Las Antiguas”. This is now the Image placed in a special nook at the Church Altar, the same image exulted in the Turumba festival during the “Lupi Season” in the months of March and April.

Keso Festival

Photo from: lagunatravelguide.com

Sta. Cruz, Laguna, located 96 kms south of Manila, the province’s capital is developed as the administrative, commercial and service center of the province. But aside from this, Sta Cruz has still a lot more to offer- it is the site of the famous Keso Festival.

In celebration of the town’s quadricentennial as a municipality in April, 2002, the Keso Festival came into existence. Kesong Puti is an authentic Filipino cheese which originated from Laguna. It is made from the freshest carabao’s milk and is made hard using a coagulating agent- either vinegar or rennet (part of the cow’s stomach). A small amount of salt is added to give it added flavor. It is said that kesong puti originated from Sta. Cruz, the reason why the municipal officials put up a festival in its honor.

Pahiyas Festival

Photo from: transporters.ph

The Pahiyas Festival is celebrated in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. Every 15th of May this is the one of the Philippine’s most colorful festival and tourist attraction. The most familiar to all is the colorful kipping decoration it is made of rice with a leaf shaped wafer design. Most of the houses have a colorful kipping decoration. It is the one decoration that gives the shining and fantastic Pahiyas Festival.

Laguna is Part of Region IV-A, CALABARZON

Laguna – Birthplace of the Philippine National Hero

Colorful Festivals in Laguna

Laguna’s Many Tourist Attractions

Fun Things To Do in Laguna