Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part of planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into unfamiliar places, people, and culture are paramount.

Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

 

 

KARATONG FESTIVAL

 

Photo from: https://allaboutfiesta.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/karatong-festival-of-dulag-leyte-september-7/

 

Dulagnon or the people of Dulag communicate using a bamboo or “karatong” in ancient times. It is used to warn of impending danger and to drive away any intruders to the town.

When Moro invaders ravaged the town of Dulag to get the Golden Bell, the local folks where moved by the miraculous Nuestra Señora del Refugio to the top of the karatong to save the town of Dulag.

The Karatong Festival has joined the various festival competitions in both regional and national arena, such as: the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festivals of Festivals in the province of Leyte, the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, and the Aliwan Festival in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Read More: http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/3285/karatong-festival-dulag-leyte

 

Photo from:  https://kabyahe.wordpress.com/2009/04/21/aliwan-2009-karatong-festival-1725/karatong/

 

This festival is not just about music and dances, they actually have their own stories to tell – stories that are native to their town or province of origin, like the Karatong Festival from the town of Dulag in the province of Leyte.  Karatong is the Waray (a native of and language in Leyte) word for bamboo. During the olden times, way before the Spaniards came to the Philippines, the people in Dulag used bamboos to warn the town if there were enemies, such as pirates and tribes, who wanted to invade their lands. They would make loud noises to warn the townsmen of the arrival of the intruders, and would use it also as their weapon in the form of spears to fight against the enemies. With the story they have, they will make it into a series of routines, amazing music and dance moves.

To be in the presence of such diverse and rich cultures, it makes me feel so proud that I am a Filipino. We have different culture, traditions, beliefs, but through these events we become one united nation. Yes, the main purpose of the Aliwan Festival is to showcase the talents of each province or town, and that it is a competition more than anything, but this is also a time where different people, or shall I say “tribes”, from across the seven thousand one hundred and one islands of the Philippine archipelago, meet and be one as a nation. Together, they show to the world how rich our culture is, and how we preserve it, which is through our festivals.  Read More:  https://ashmantravels.wordpress.com/tag/karatong-festival/

 

Photo from:  http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/3285/karatong-festival-dulag-leyte

 

The Karatong Festival is a dance revelry that depicts the legend of the karatong, which is a bamboo device used in the 16th century to informing the townspeople of incoming Moro marauders. Dulagnon” or the people of Dulag communicate using a bamboo or “karatong” in ancient times. It is used to warn of impending danger and to drive away any intruders to the town. When Moro invaders ravaged the town of Dulag to get the Golden Bell, the local folks where moved by the miraculous Nuestra Señora del Refugio to the top of the karatong to save the town of Dulag.  Dulag is one of the old and historical municipalities in Leyte. It is situated on the eastern coast of Leyte facing the historical Leyte Gulf and the Pacific Ocean. In the western section of the municipality, the terrain is characterized mainly by its generally flat sloping land rolling terrain. Dulag is popularly known as the “Liberation Town.” It survived and rose from the ruins of World War II and is a thriving coastal town fronting Leyte Gulf at present time.  Read More:  https://allaboutfiesta.wordpress.com/2016/09/07/karatong-festival-of-dulag-leyte-september-7/

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

The Largest Naval Battle in History Took Place in Leyte

How To Get To Leyte

Popular Places to Visit in Leyte

Colorful Festivals to Watch in Leyte

Having a Fun Time in Leyte

Leyte Photo Gallery

Leyte Video Collection