The fabulous festivals of Zambales!

 

Before the whole world went into hell in a handbasket, Zambales used to be one of the places me and my family would go to during the Holidays. The province is known for its beautiful islands and beaches but what a lot of people don't know is that the place also hosts a lot of really cool festivals.

In this blog, we'll be checking out some of these festivals!

One of my favorite things about Zambales is their mangoes. The mangoes that grow in this place are so good that they are actually recognized  in the Guinness Book of World Records as the sweetest in the world. Now I mangoing to talk about the festival that celebrates the delicious sweetness of this fruit, the Dinamulag Festival! This festival is created to commemorate the fruit's abundant harvest. It features a variety of activities, including street dancing with dancers dressed in mango-themed costumes!

The Filipino people are deeply religious, and there are numerous religious holidays held throughout the country. Following this , Zambales commemorates Ina Poon Bato's feast in Botolan every January 23. This feast day honors Ina Poon Bato's intercession, which is thought to be miraculous because it was discovered by believers among the Aetas who had no idea how such an image came to be. Ina Poon Bato has a large following of believers, and tourists flock to this town each year to pray and seek her miracles.

Now if you want to experience the awesomeness of a Mardis Gras you don't have to fly to New Orleans! Olongapo has been celebrating its own version of Mardis Gras back when the US Naval Base was still operating the city in the 1980. The event's feature is street dancing, which starts at 6 p.m. and lasts until just before dawn. Live bands and comedians entertain the crowd as they party all night long.

Let's keep with the flow of festivals by talking about the Sibit-Sibit Festival. This festival takes inspiration from the little paddle boats that used to be the lifeblood of the locals, who depended heavily on fishing as a livelihood.  The festival's main event was once a race between competitors in these boats. The event has now expanded to include motorized and sailboat races, as well as a riverbank parade. There are also activities that can be done off the lake, such as a sandcastle building contest and beach volleyball!

On April 25 we celebrate my mom's birthday but in Zambales this day is for the Paynauen ‘Duyan’ Festival. This festival celebrates the anniversary of the province's capital's founding. Since its inception five years ago, this festival has become an annual celebration in Iba. It is a festival that features street dancing, Ginoo at Mutya ng Paynauen, local foods, sand castle building, kite flying, "duyan parade," carabao racing, boat racing, parades, displays, and several other fun and awesome activities. Tourists and vacationers travel to Iba not only to enjoy the great beaches, excellent seafood, and world-famous mangoes, but also to partake in the Paynauen celebration.

The Binabayani, which takes place on November 30, is another Zambales festival. This event is their own take on Ati-Atihan. This festival showcases the war moves that Aestas used in the battle between them and the  Christians at Masinloc. The name of the festival comes from a Sambal word that means "bravery."

 

 

The Domorokdok Celebration is another fantastic festival held in Zambales. This event takes place in Botolan every weekend in May and includes a spectacular parade, street dancing, a beauty contest, and an exhibition of Botolan's products.

Another awesome festival that Zambales celebrates is the Subic Karakoa Festival.This celebration is conducted in April to commemorate the construction of the Pintados tribe's warship Karakoa. A procession and a parade with colorful floats are among the festivities that celebrate the occasion.

Finally, if you are into new age practices then you should totally check out the Love and Light Festival. This festival is famous for its spiritual activities, which include shamanic rituals, aura cleansing, meditations, and yoga. Attendees can also get tattoos and massages, as well as try out acupuncture services, for an additional charge. Guests are told to bring their own tents, sleeping bags, or hammocks to the event. Alternatively, guests might hire one of the venue's cottages.