BFF: Bulacan's Fascinating Festivals

By: Ryza Mae P. Angeles

Hail down as Bulacan brings a creative and fun festival for everyone to enjoy, whether alone, with friends, or with family. Bulacan doesn’t only have tasty products and a rich history; it also has festivals that can lighten everyone’s mood while they celebrate them. Starting with the well-known festivals and going down to the lesser-known ones, we will see how, when, and why such festivals are celebrated.

SINGKABAN FESTIVAL

This festival is celebrated to commemorate the patron saint of our region, known as Our Lady of Victory, and to highlight the spectacular bamboo arches, also known as the Singkaban arches. On those arcs, we can observe carved and scraped bamboo to produce a lovely design. It is celebrated in our province every second week of September, or sometimes known as "Linggo ng Bulacan." Performers at that event frequently do folk dance, and they also sing folk songs. This event is named after the peculiar "Bamboo Art" abundantly known in the Bulacan province, notably in Malolos and Hagonoy, where Singkaban Art started.

FERTILITY RITES IN OBANDO

Obando fertility rites are an annual event held in Obando, Bulacan, from May 17 to May 19, in which they honor the three Obando saints, namely San Pascual (Paschal Baylon, May 17), Santa Clara (Clare of Assisi, May 18), and Nuestra Senora de Salambáo (Our Lady of Salambao, May 19).(Our Lady of Salambao, May 19). It is a dancing ritual for couples who are trying to have a child, don’t have any children, and desire to have one.

CARABAO PULILAN FESTIVAL

The Pulilan Carabao Festival, also known as the Kneeling Carabao Festival, is held every May 14th and 15th in Pulilan, Bulacan. On the 14th, farmers all throughout the town pay honor to their patron saint. We may witness kneeling carabaos at this event, and there is a need for carabao trainers' hand gestures for them to kneel. It is celebrated by carabaos kneeling in front of San Isidro Labrador Parish Church to commemorate their patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, and to embrace a bountiful harvest.

BULACAN WEEK OR LINGGO NG BULACAN

When there is a celebration for a patron saint, then there should be a festival for our own province too, and in Bulacan, there is a week-long festival called "Linggo ng Bulacan." This festival celebrates the traditions, culture, and arts of Bulacan. There are also skills contests and exhibitions developed by Bulakenyos to better enjoy the week. It is observed annually from September 8–15, and there is a set theme that differs every year.

FESTIVAL DE LUYANG DILAW

The Luyang Dilaw Festival is an event in Marilao,Bulacan that is celebrated every May 2. Some claim that turmeric ginger was a superabundant crop in this section of Bulacan in the old days. The old inhabitants then referred to this location as "Luyang Dilaw" (yellow ginger), "Halamang Dilaw" (yellow plant), or "Madilaw" (something yellowish in hue) until the name ultimately developed to Marilao. Just like the Linggo of Bulacan, it is likewise honored with such performances, exhibits, contests, and many more.

The said festivals are only some of the bewildering festivals in our province, and I must say that it is definitely worth experiencing those! Here in our province, kindness and being friendly are visible. You can be friends with anyone, have a "best friend forever," and surely experience Bulacan's fascinating festivals!