Special Events and Festivals in Aurora

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SPECIAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

It’s a fact that you can’t separate the fiesta from the Filipino. When it comes to town parties, bigger is always better, and well planned, more often than not, equals grand. The province of Aurora is no exception: its annual Aurora Day celebration a misnomer, as the fiesta actually spans two weeks full of events that range from carabao racing to street dancing, drum and lyre competitions, educational tours, competitions for surfing and skateboarding, and of course, the crowning of Binibining Aurora. Read More: https://www.travelbook.ph/blog/aurora-day-2011/

Aurora Foundation Day

Photo from: cityphilippines.net

The Aurora Day is held every February 14-19. The most awaited event during the celebration of the annual Aurora Foundation Day is the so-called ‘Karansa’: a Street Dancing Competition where the concept of cooperation and unity called ‘Paatag’ prevails as the overall theme of the day’s hilarious activities. The weeklong activity includes singing and dancing competition, parade of the eight towns of the province with matching thematic floats and beauty queens, Search for Bb. Aurora and a streetside tourism and investment exhibits. The festival culminates in a beach party and fireworks display. A wreath-laying ceremony takes place at the foot of the monument of Dona Aurora Quezon before the end of the festival.

Aurora Surfing Cup

Photo from: surfersvillage.com

Every February, the province of Aurora plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup, which through the years, has established a steady following of local and international surfing enthusiasts. The province boasts of internationally recognized surf sites such as Sabang Beach (beach break), Cemento Beach (reef break), and Charlie’s Point (river mouth break). The best waves in these areas come around October to March. Read More: http://www.pranxer.com/Event/Details/4

Sabutan Festival

Photo from: philstar.com

The Sabutan Festival in the town of San Luis, province of Aurora highlights the importance of growing palm trees locally called Sabutan on the community’s economic wellbeing. The raw material which grows on mountain terrain and forest land is used to weave a variety of useful products and ornamentals like hats, placemats, fans and even native dress – all made of Sabutan. The exclusive art of weaving Sabutan is handed down from one generation to the other. The festival features native dance presentation among school children, trade fair, cultural shows and exhibits. Read More: http://www.pranxer.com/Event/Details/14

Moro-Moro Zarsuela

Photo from: https://sites.google.com/site/surftobalerphilippines/cultural-religious-events-sights/moro-moro-zarsuela

Presented on February 19 (Aurora Day) in Baler, Aurora, the “Zarsuela” is an interplay of drama and dance. Taking three days to complete (although it could be shortened to a day), the “Zarsuela” performed here is composed of several acts that revolve around the main theme of Moro-Moro or Moslem-Christian conflict. The “Zarsuela” presents slightly different variations for the Moro-Moro theme year after year. The roles of princes and princesses, warriors and laymen for both the Christian and Moslem sides are performed in dance, while a narrator accompanies the pantomime act. What makes this particular performance more dramatic is that real knives and bolos are used. Often in the heat of the presentation, miscalculations result in knife and bolo gashes. Both actors and actresses participate in this particularly sensitive and dangerous sword-play. Only beautiful, graceful ladies and handsome men are chosen and trained for the theater. Indeed, this is a cultural theater that demands talent, beauty, skills and courage from the actors, and highly skilled and experienced trainers are needed to create this unique style of “Zarsuela”. Read More: https://sites.google.com/site/surftobalerphilippines/cultural-religious-events-sights/moro-moro-zarsuela

Suman Festival

Photo from: oocities.org

Every February Baler celebrates a HAGISAN activity, which features the homemade suman. This Filipino sticky rice cake delicacy hangs above the main street as its smokey pandan aroma perfumes the air. Colorful floats with lots of suman hanging from each crevice parades proudly in the middle of the crowd. Further showing the importance of agriculture and rice to the masses in undeniable extravagance.

Witnessing these could make one crave suman. Especially for those who happen to be in the right place at the right time, the suman are available everywhere. Along with the various flavor of these rice cakes from the rich texture of ube, the bittersweet tango of chocolate and the fresh taste of plain suman. Reminding you of home or your grandmother’s backyard, where as a child you used to devour greedily the sweets and snacks. Exclusively made for her favorite apo, even in festivals, the concept of family remains intact. The suman festival also gives way to farmers and other independent suman vendors to hype up their market. Also advertising their own wares and boasting quality ingredients that were used in creating the delicacy. Read More: https://yuneoh.com/travel/suman-festival/

Sources: visitmyphilippines.com & flyphilippines.com.ph

Aurora Province under Region III

The Grand Province of Aurora

Interesting Places to Visit in Aurora

Magnificent Beaches for Surfing in Aurora

Awesome Waterfalls in Aurora

Special Events and Festivals in Aurora

How to Have Fun in Aurora

Photo Gallery of Aurora

Aurora Video Collection