February - May Festivals

June - December
	Tabak Festival June 16-21 Tabaco City Held in conjunction with the celebration of the City�s 1^st Foundation Anniversary. The festival derived its name from a local word �Tabak�, meaning bolo, where the name of the City (Tabaco) was taken from. It�s highlight is a street presentation where participants� showcases the legend of the City. Numerous other activities are lined up to drum beat the affair. Dir. Maria O. Ravanilla DOT-V, Rawis, Legazpi City

	�Oyange Kaugman Festival� June 20-29 Polangui, Albay Office of the Mayor Polangui, Albay

	Pili Festival June 20-29 Sorsogon, Sorsogon Pili is an indigenous crop of Bicol region, particularly Sorsogon. This festival showcases the Pili, the primary purpose of which is to emphasize its importance and to increase the awareness of the public on its various economic uses. One way of doing this is through a street dance presentation, a highlight of the festival. The street dance presents the three (3) stages of Pili, from green (young fruit) to violet (half-mature) to black (mature) nuts and how it is being processed into different kinds of sweets and delicacies. *Office of the Mayor* Sorsogon, Sorsogon or Mrs. Cecilia H. Duran

	Ginubat Festival June 11-12 Gubat, Sorsogon A festival based on the roots of the town of which its name was derived. It features the following activities: cultural street parade, exhibits, sailboat race, beauty pageant, fiesta celebration and the Balik-Gubat which is the highlight of the festival. Office of the Mayor Gubat, Sorsogon

	Katalingkasan Festival July 21-25 Libon, Albay Katalingkasan which means freedom and rebirth, is held in conjunction with the Libon Town Fiesta and the feast of its Patron Saint, St. James the Greater. The festival aims to revive the rich cultural heritage of the town and at the same time promote local tourism. Ms. Agnes Dycoco c/o Office of the Mayor Libon, Albay

	Mercedes Fishtival August 6-11 Mercedes, Camarines Norte It is a fishermen�s holiday celebration, in which said festivity is dedicated as a time of annual thanksgiving for the blessings and bounty received from the Almighty during the seafaring, fishing expeditions and fish farming endeavors. The �fishtival� is not only a week-long merry making but also a moment of retrospect and recognition of Mother Nature for having endowed Mercedes with a gift of vast fishery resources, magnificent shorelines and other aquatic potentials and the wise utilization and preservation of ecological balance for the attainment of environmental dignity and beauty. *Office of the Mayor* Mercedes, Camarines Norte

	�Pagsuwak Festival� August 12-17 Guinobatan, Albay Derived from a local word su�wak meaning the process of flowering or blossoming, thus, �pagsuwak� is a sign of growth, devewlopment and progress of the municipality. The festival, therefore, which is held to coincide with the town fiesta signifies act of thanksgiving for the bounties from the land. Various activities are lined up highlighted by a street presentation. *Mr. Art Osia* Office of the Mayor Guinoabatan, Albay

	Coron Festival August 15-17 Tiwi, Albay �Coron� is a Bicol dialect meaning clay-pot or potteries of which the town of Tiwi is popularly known for. Thus, the festival�s main feature is the municipalities pottery industry which is done with skills passed from parents to children and perfected through long years of practice without the benfit of written manuals. Highlight of the festival is a Street Presentation. *Office of the Mayor* Tiwi, Albay

	Pilgrimage to Joroan 3^rd Saturday of August Joroan, Tiwi, Albay Every 3^rd Saturday of August, thousands of devotees flocked to this coastal town in Albay to pay homage to the miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, Patroness of albay. It is highlighted by a maritime procession after a mass at Joroan Church. The image is carried by the menfolks down to the beach where a large and well-decorated trawl boat is docked. An entourage of similarly decorated pumpboats follow, carrying the pilgrims and devotees to the shores and village at Sogod where a concelebrated mass is held again. Mrs. Maria O. Ravanilla Regional Director DOT-Region V

	Daragang Magayon Festival August 26-September 8 Daraga, Albay A historical and religious celebration in honor of the town�s patron saint, Our Lady of the Gate. It aims to showcase the cultural life of Darague�os. Various colorful activities are lined up for this celebration. Mr. Eugene Sangil Mun. Information officer Daraga, Albay

	Voyadores Festival 3^rd Friday of September Naga City borne on the shoulders of her male devotees, and her voyage back in a fluvial procession along the Bicol River. It is named after the male devotees (voyadores) who accompany and carry the Virgin�s image in a procession called Traslacion for a Novena at the Metropolitan Cathedral Ms. Amelita P. Saenz Chairman, DIBA Found.

	Pe�afrancia Festival 3^rd Saturday of September Naga City A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Pe�afrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivity begins on the second Friday of September when the Image of the Virgin of Pe�afrancia is carried by hundreds of male devotees from her shrine to Naga Cathedral. Main highlight is the fluvial procession along the Naga River. Office of the Mayor Naga City

	Himoloan Festival September 28-29 Oas, Albay This festival commemorates the Patronal Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Himoloan literally means pag-atang or tinagba (offering). Thus, it is the time of the year when the faithful honor their patron, St. Michael on the Feast of the Archangels by offering to him not only material goods but the �talents� that God bestowed upon all as well. Its highlight is the Himoloan street presentation and the Carrosa Contest wherein it is participated by the different barangay and is also open to other barangays of other nearby towns to gather and bring the carrosa/andas of their patron decorated with their produce as well as native materials found within their reach. Office of the Mayor

	Hin-Ay Festival September 28-29 Irosin, Sorsogon This festival is a commemoration of the feast day of the town�s Patron Saint, St. Michael the Archangel, and at the same time a rediscovery of the town�s cultural heritage. The festival traces the struggles of the people of Irosin at various stages of its history and aims to renew the enthusiasm and faith among people for sustained involvement in community building. Various activities include: Mardi Gras, which depicts the victory of the Archangels over the Black Angel, cultural show, agro-trade fair, beauty pageant, food festival, among others. Office of the Mayor Irosin, Sorsogon

	Ibalong Festival October Legazpi City A festival depicting Bicol�s early beginning as portrayed by the characters in the epic entitled � IBALONG. The name was the early nomenclature of Bicol region. It showcases many superheroes such as Handiong, Baltog and Bantong among others. The festival is highlighted by a street presentation where masks of heroes and villains are paraded on mainstreets, combined with song and dances. Other activities include trade fair, art exhibit, sports fest such as the triathlon, guided tours, beauty pageant and other colorful competitions. Ms. Ma. Aissa N. Sabio Acting City Tourism Officer

	Kasanggayahan Festival October 15-25 Sorsogon, Sorsogon This festival was derived from the dialect which means �prosperity and happiness�. It is a joyous celebration held primarily to commemorate the Foundation Anniversary of Sorsogon since its establishment as a separate province from Albay. The highlight is the �Pantomina sa Tinampo� participated in by LGUs, schools, NGOs and other civic organizations. Office of the Governor Sorsogon, Sorsogon

	Catandungan Festival October 22-24 Virac, Catanduanes A celebration of the province�s anniversary and tribute to its founders, to continuously remind the people of Catanduanes of the province�s independence from the province of Albay. Main features of the festival are: street dance Pantomina, beauty pageant, agro-trade fair, sports fest, guided tour, art/photo exhibits, etc. Office of the Governor

	Pastores Bicol December 18 Legazpi City An interpretative folk festival related to the celebration of Christmas tradition. It reenacts the rejoicing shepherds who sang the first Christmas Carol during the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Locally known as �pastores�, here they are clad in colorful costumes with the traditional arc and �musikeros� as they sing and dance to the tune of �Pastores a Belen.� Mrs. Maria O. Ravanilla Regional Director DOT-Region V

	Kamundagan Festival December 1-31 Naga City In the month of December, Naga City opens its door for a whole month in celebrating its charter anniversary and the Birth of Christ with the cooperative efforts of Camarines Sur and Naga City. The festivity seeks to boost tourism, expand business and provide livelihood opportunities by showcasing various activities, the highlights of which are the �kiri-kiti�, �pastoras�, beauty search, agro-industrial fair, civic parade, cultural shows and other colorful events. *Office of the Mayor*