During the month of May, the people of the agricultural town of Mogpog in Marinduque celebrates their thanksgiving festival for their annual harvests in honor of their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador. The aim of this festival is to pay tribute to the saint and to the farmers who made a solemn effort on their land for numerous months. Kangga Festival was implemented by the local government which is celebrated annually to correspond with San Isidro Labrador’s feast day of May 13.

“Kangga” in Marinduquenian Tagalog, is a sled made of bamboo usually carried by carabao. It is used by farmers to transport tools or harvests from their homes to the fields or to the market. Read More: http://www.wowmarinduque.com/features/festivals/mogpogs-kangga-festival-an-alluring-thanksgiving/

KANGGA FESTIVAL

Photo from: https://humanitiesbloggerblog.wordpress.com/2017/01/05/mogpogs-kangga-festival-an-alluring-festival/

The agricultural town of Mogpog in the northeastern portion of the island is indebted to their patron saint San Isidro Labrador for their annual harvests. To pay tribute to the saint and to the farmers whose tools labored the land for many months, the local government adopted the Kangga Festival which is celebrated annually to coincide with San Isidro Labrador’s feast day of May 13. “Kangga” in Marinduquenian Tagalog is a sled made of bamboo usually drawn by carabao and is used by farmers to transport tools or harvests from their homes to the fields or to the market. On the day of the festival, holy mass is celebrated in the local church in thanksgiving to San Isidro Labrador.

This is followed by the display of various colorfully decorated kanggas by local farmers from different villages. A usual kangga displayed includes not only the sled itself but also the farmer’s tools such as the iron plow, scythe, coconut husker, other farm equipment, even the carabaos. These kanggas are blessed by the parish priest to ensure good harvest in the next farming season. Read More: http://tourism-philippines.com/festival-kangga/

Photo from: http://galapamore.weebly.com/kangga-festival_mogpog-marinduque.html

Kangga is the means of transportation used by farmers in bringing their crops from the barangay to the market place. It is made of bamboo sleds that can pass through rocky and muddy places. It helps farmers to make their travel easy. Every 13^th day of May, Mogpogueños celebrate Kangga Festival to give tribute to the farmers. It coincides with the annual celebration of the feast day of the town’s patron saint, St. Isidore Labrador. Through the Municipal Ordinance 2003-101, participants from 37 barangays, NGOs, cultural bearers, advocates, and some coconut farmers are actively participating during the celebration. According to committees and officials, there are some concerns that need a thorough attention such as funds, assistance, and acceptance. Committees and other officials are aiming for the betterment of the aforementioned festival, that is why they are accepting relevant suggestions from concerned individuals and organizations involved. These suggestions will lead to the development of Kangga Festival and will continue to cherish its peculiar culture. Read More: https://marindukanon.noblogs.org/post/2017/02/10/history-of-the-development-in-the-conduct-of-kangga-festival-in-mogpog-marinduque/

Photo from: http://marinduquegov.blogspot.com/2011/11/mesmerizing-mogpog.html