Camarines Sur Islands Philippines
Camarines Sur Festivals
Tinagba Festival, Iriga City
February 11
A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops, ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.
Harana Festival (Karantahan nin Pagranga), San Jose
Feb. 11-15
Held in the municipality of San Jose, the festival feature local talents and young artists in its efforts to promote cultural awareness, tourism development and youth empowerment in the District of Partido. Highlighted by the Bicol Love Song Choral Competition. Other activities are lined up to drumbeat the affair.
Karanowan Festival, Bato
Feb. 15
This fish-tival was derived from a local dialect "Ranow" meaning lake, spawned of giving significance to the beautiful Lake Bato, which is teemed with numerous species of fishes such as the well-known "tabios", tilapia nilotica, carp, eel and many others.
Baybayon Festival, Sagñay
April 15-17
A summer festival held at the beach-side in Sagñay town in the Partido district in the province of Camarines Sur.
Lagonoy Kadahoman Festival
April 24-May 1
Kadahoman came from the Bicolano term "dahom" meaning beautiful or good. The week-long celebration showcases the beauty and rich historical/cultural heritage of the town. Features are cultural presentation, native foods galore, songwriting and logo making contest, nature trekking and many more.
Tumatarok Festival, Minalabac
May 1
Considered as one of the most colorful and interesting fiestas in the Bikol region which takes place at the old, sleepy town of Minalabac . The Tumatarok Festival is celebrated every 11th of May which is done in honor of their two patron saints, Sts. Philip and James. Main highlights of the festive occasion include the evening tide fluvial procession where colorful floating pagodas crowd along the banks of the Bikol River ; the religious dancing of little boys who are called here as the Tumatarok ni San Felipe-San Tiago or the Rice Planters of Sts. Philip and James. These little boys, ages 8 to 11, sing the traditional Bikol hymn to the two saints. Likewise, after the celebration of the mass the next morning, the ten tumatarok once again performed another ritual, this time a sacred dance, in the sanctuary of the Church. It was said that their dance was a prayer to God, thanking Him for blessing upon the coming rice planting season which then and even now is the main source of income to many Minalabacueños.
May Ilaoud Festival, Milaor
May 1
A summer festival in Milaor to commemorate the Foundation Anniversary and Feast Day of St. Joseph the Worker. Various colorful activities are featured to boost local tourism.
Boa-Boahan Festival, Nabua
May 1
Boa-Boahan Festival coincides with the town fiesta of Nabua. The highlight of the affair is the re-enactment of the 13th century pagan rites which is enriched by colorful costumes. The rite is a dramatic revival of the traditional boa feast during the pre-Spanish era where pagans believed that the chains of coconut embryos called "Boa" are offered to their old deities
Balik Caramoan, Caramoan
May 1-8
A week-long celebration coinciding with the town's fiesta, to showcase the wealth of wonders (WOW) of Caramoan Peninsula. Various exciting activities are lined-up to welcome the returning Caramoanons who now resides-in varioius parts of the globe. It aims to forge greater unity and cooperation and encourage Balikbayans for possible tourism and trade-related investments.
Santacruzan Festival, Camarines Sur
May
A May celebration, Santa Cruzan in Camarines Sur is noted for its resplendent procession which is usually observed during nighttime. Beautiful and young Reynas in their glittered gowns parade around the town reminding the locals of the travails encountered by St. Elena in her search for the Holy Cross thousands of centuries ago. This one noted tradition has its beginnings rooted down from the Spanish regime. In the modern day celebration of Santa Cruzan, a nine-day novena is celebrated in honor of the Sta. Cruz (Holy Cross) enliven with Dotok and Lagaylay by neighborhoods. Beautiful and decorative altars which are made out of banana stalk carved with designs can be seen in every "istasyon" which is put up during the colorful celebration of the Santa Cruzan.
Kaogma Festival, Camarines Sur
May 24-31
A week-long celebration of the of the foundation anniversary of the Province of Camarines Sur. The festival features numerous activities such as cultural expositions, sports events, beauty pageant, procession and Grand Parade.
Regatta Festival,Gainza
August 7
A week-long festivity in Gainza aimed to preserve its culture and tradition and to promote the area as a tourist destination. Highlight is the boat race.
Pasa-Pasa Ikaw Festival, Pasacao
August 25-30
The festival showcases the Pasacao's rich cultural heritage forever reminding its people of the significant contribution to the socio-economic development of the province of Camarines Sur and the region in general.
Voyadores Festival, Naga City
September-2nd Friday
Voyadores Festival is a street dance reenactment on the transfer of the image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia from the Basilica to the Metropolitan Cathedral. Named after the male devotees (voyadores) who accompany and carry the Virgin's image in a procession called Translacion for a novena at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Peñafrancia Festival, Naga City
3rd week of September
A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivity begins on the second Friday of September when the Image of the Virgin of Peñafrancia is carried by hundreds of male devotees from her shrine to Naga Cathedral. Main highlight is the ceremonial fluvial procession along the Naga River where her centuries old image becomes an object of a stirring religious event.
Bamboo Festival, Bula
December 1
Old Bula town in the Rinconada district of the province makes way for a colorful December celebration of the Bamboo Festival, giving way to the one of pride of this town which is the bamboo plant where the name of the municipality is derived from.
Bikol Pastores Festival, Calabanga
December 20-24
This festival paves the ground for an array of cultural and sports highlights such as the following: Panunuluyan, Larong Pinoy, Night with the Stars, Open Ballroom Dancing Competition, Search for the Best Christmas Decorated Home, Balikbayan Night, Binibining Pastores Beauty Pageant, Bikol Pastores Dance Competition, Mardi Gras, and the Senior's Citizen's Night. Through the initiative and efforts made by the mayor of Calabanga and the Municipal Tourism Council, the Bikol Pastores festival has staged its first region-wide colorful presentation of Christmas carols, dances and symbols last December 24 to 31 of last year. December 26, 27 and 28 had been declared as non-working holidays through Proclamation No. 36 dated December 13, 2002.
Kamundagan Festival, Naga City
December
A month-long activity during the month of December in celebration of the Advent season. Belen contests, trade fairs, regatta, carabao race, Miss Naga City Beauty Pageant and tricycle race are some of the activities featured during the festival.
