When I arrived at Alor Setar, little did I know that it was the last day of a local Taoist festival. Think about it. Travel as discovery and it was those moments wherein I can readily say I was at the right time at the right place.
With four contingents, the first Sibugsay sa Sibugay Festival was surely colorful, entertaining and affirming for this young province as the participants celebrated its natural wealth and bounty.
One thing that really captured my attention during Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival were the native handicrafts that the tribespeople were wearing: Beads, bags and even brass belts and bells.
Bukidnon’s Kaamulan Festival is way beyond colors, steps and costumes. Its all about encountering and learning about these indigenous people that have contributed to what Bukidnon is today.
It’s just a small festival, colors are more subdued and less contingents than Sinulog but the Ibajaynons surely takes centerstage and knows how to have fun!
It was rather weird. People were holding skewered and grilled chicken or parts of it. Some with steamed crabs, fish, and, even strange, raw meat stuck to a man’s body or raised up on wooden sticks, waved and being agitated to the loud shouts of Viva! Senor Sto. Nino!
January is festival month in the islands of Cebu and Panay and, unfortunately, for the third Sunday of the month, one has to choose: Sinulog in Cebu or Ati-atihan in Kalibo.