*Festivals*

1. MANGGAHAN SA GUIMARAS FESTIVAL – (1993)
An identity festival of the Province of Guimaras celebrated every April 16 – 20 for the sustained promotion of Mango Industry. Varied activities are being showcased depicting the cultural and historical heritage, livelihood, myth and legendary stories portrayed in a cultural showcase, streetdancing and SINADYA (merrymaking). Spread over a weeklong schedule, promoting its products, services and milestones in an agri – trade fair/exhibits, food festival, special events, nightly shows and entertainments and Search for Mutya Ng Guimaras. Manggahan culminates in a grand showcase of cultural festivals in a bid to show the world that there is more to Guimaras than its sweet, fiber and pest-free mangoes.

2. ANG PAGTALTAL SA JORDAN, PROVINCE OF GUIMARAS – (1975)
A Lenten presentation staged by the townspeople of Jordan patterned to Oberammergau in South Bavaria, Germany. It is the final act of play when Jesus was taken off from the cross and laid on his mother’s lap. Backed up by a strong Christian community, Jordan has registered its first festival in Pagtaltal sa Jordan, Guimaras, a Good Friday spectacle. This saga of the sufferings of Christ is enacted with intense spirituality, religious realism theatrical color and mass appeal that outclass other presentation of similar flavor. The ever increasing throng of spectators, both local and foreign, who brave the summer heat to witness Pagtaltal is a proof of its popularity. Pagtaltal should be in everyone’s Holy Week schedule.

3. GUIMARAS FOUNDATION DAY
Guimaras foundation day is celebrated everry 22nd day of May to commemorate the provincehood anniversary when Guimaras was converted into a regular Province on May 22, 1992 pursuant to section 462 of RA 7160. Varied activities are being showcased which is participated by municipalities and other agencies.

MUNICIPAL FESTIVAL

1. Palayag Festival (Buenavista)
Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January by the municipality of Buenavista. This cultural festival makes use of the rich cultural tradition of the oldest municipality of the province. The presentation of songs, dances and musical tableau depicts the various influences Buenavista has been subjected to. It is celebrated in honor of the town's Patron Saint Sr. Sto. Nino. PALAYAG is a festival of the beauty of our town and the hospitality of the Buenavistahanons which can only be experienced by other people if they will travel, treck and tour our places.

2. Bulantihan Festival (Jordan)
Celebrated every last Friday of January by the municipality of Jordan. The three major source of income of the people of Jordan are farming, fishing and mango production. The products are brought in the market for "bulante" (trade). It is primarily a celebration of the economic endeavor that made Jordan what it is today.

3. Balsahan Festival (Sibunag)
Celebrated by the municipality of Sibunag every 20th day of February. It is Sibunag's way immortalizing the mystical Sibunag River which makes its way thru most of the town's barangays. It is a major geographical feature of the town's barangays. The river holds many interesting myths and legends that are sure to ticke one's imagination, and whet one's appetite to unravel ti's secrets. Use of the Balsa in your trek for some satisfying discoveries you will pleasantly rewarded.

4. Asinan Festival (San Lorenzo)
Celebrated every 19th day of February by the municipality of San Lorenzo. Marvel at how the ordinary salt has gravitated the people of the community in an annual gathering with all the delicious trimmings specialty products. Not everything in the Asinan Festival is salty though, as there is the spicy seafood, the juicy citrus and crispy nuts. With the proper blend of the unique hospitality and the natural smiles of the people and one will hunger for more of the Asinan spectacle.

5. Sadsaran Festival (Nueva Valencia)
Sadsaran festival is derived from the term "sadsad" which is a common term for dancing used by the Nuevalenciahanons, especially by the elders. Sadsaran
Festival is a cavalcade or kaleidoscope of dance meant to showcase evolution of dances from the old days to the present depicting the custom and traditions of the different barangays in Nueva Valencia, taking into account the influence of Americans, Spaniards, and Japanese colonizers. Celebrated on the 1st week of January.

Sadsaran is not only a showcase of evolution of dances but also of cultural heritage and livelihood of the community, as showcased by the Barangay Festivlas. Other activities to highlight the frestival are the Kansyon sa Sadsaran, a musical show, "hinampang sa sadsaran" or laro ng lahi, coronation of the fiesta/ festival queen, exhibits, food fair, and fireworks display. Inasmuch as dancing as sadsad is an expression of happiness, thanksgiving or a way to tell a story and majority loves to dance. Hence, came about "Sadsaran sa Nueva Valencia" Festival.

6. Community-Based Rural Tourism (CBRT) Festival
Fiestas in Guimaras were enhanced making this as economic venue for the locals to earn while promoting and showcasing their agri-cultural, historical and environmental heritage through Community Based Rural Tourism. While festivals, religious or culturally-based, showcases the livelihood, products and services of the Barangay while preserving and enhancing the heritage and providing an added value that embrace the unique feasts of human senses.


BARANGAY FESTIVALS

1. Layagan Festival
Festival celebrated every first weekend of May at Brgy. Hoskyn depicting their livelihood and way of life.

2. Saranggola Festival
Tastasan, Buenavista, Guimaras

Kite flying festival which is participated by Barangay folks and neighboring barangays and municipalities of Guimaras. It manifests the ingenuity and creativity in designing kites, maneuvering the same as it swiftly and smoothly fly in the air. The events, promotes the preservation traditional leisure of the Filipinos and creativity in re-using and recycling materials in making and designing kites. It is celebrated every last week of March.

3. Pangasi Festival
Lanipe, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Pangasi, a traditional farming ritual whose function is to offer, relate, befriend or communicate with the environmental spirits for a bountiful harvest, whether benevolent or malevolent, who are unseen but live together with the mortals. And is still performed by most farmers in the barangay. The three day celebration on the last day of January, has several acitivities which includes traditional games like palosebo. "lagsanay manok", "Palumba dakup idik", Pinaka contest for vegetable growers, pinipig contest, ibos making contest, puso making contest, bag-id contest which been participated by Lanipe's Indigenous people, and a cultural presentation which really shows what is pangasi all about.

4. Sibiran Festival
Guisi, Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Sibiran Festival is an annual celebration of Sitio Guisi, Dolores, Nueva Valencia.
The word "sibid-sibiran" or simply called "sibiran" is artificial fish bait made of selected fowl feather and is attached to a hook and line being used to catch fishes. Celebrated every 3rd Saturday of February as part of the over-all activities. The festival showcases presentations. games, beach sports and regatta with food festival in the shoreline.
Sibiran Festival aimed to develop unity and cooperation to promote awareness in the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of coastal resources for the maintenance of ecological balance and enhance promotion of eco-tourism.

5. Ambolong Festival
Salvacion, Buenavista, Guimaras

"Ambolong" comes from the word "bulong" which means medicine or treatment for once upon a time there was an Herbolaryo who could heal various ailments of the locals which named the place "Ang Bulong" and later was changed to Ambolong, noew Salvacion. The Barangay is popularly known for its history and expertise of the locals in the field of music and arts. It is home of an Orphanage-the Good Shepherds Fold Academy (GSFA) where orphans are trained in playing violins and other musical instruments. Celebrated every 3rd Saturday of February.

6. Bayuhan Festival
Salvacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Bayuhan is an ilonggo term which describes the procedure of traditional way of rice milling or food processing using "lusong" and "hal-o" wherein the products is placed in lusong and pounded by hal-o, a hard wooden pole rounded at both ends with a grip-size middle that serves as handle. This traditional way of pounding rice has been made popular in the barangay even in the introduction of modern technology. This annual activity preserved the skills, cooperation and develops unity as well as the observed customs and traditions in the people of Barangay Salvacion and so Bayuhan Festival was conceptualized. It is celebrated every 2nd Friday of March.

7. Niyogyogan Festival
Oracon, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Niyogyogan Festival conceptualizes livelihood and production processes of coconut as the main source of income the community. The annual celebration presents a cultural showcase through dance drama and and interpretation of their lifestyle and culture; their artistry and creativity in designing and crafting local crafts and skills in food processing, utilizing the parts of the Coconut- the Tree of Life. It is celebrated every March 20.

8. Banigan Festival
Banigan Festival is the identity festival of Barangay Sapal, San Lorenzo with "banig" mat as the most notable product of the village. To promote the products of the village weavers, the Banigan Festival was conceptualized and new products like hats, bags, and slippers are creatively designed by the locals to sustain the preservation of its cultural heritage. In promoting the products during festivals, Banigan tribe danced with the costume made by Banig and portrayed steps on mat weaving. Props and other accessories of the tribe members were also made of Banig. Indeed, Sapal which was once considered a depressede remote barangay has now drawn attraction among local and even international tourist through its Banigan Festival. Banigan Festival is celebrated every 15th day of April.

9. Karosahan Festival
Napandong, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

The Karosa is an invention that helped shaped the agri-based economy of the barangay. Made mostly of a bamboo and pulled by carabaos, the karosa has transported farm inputs from the farm to the market. Karosa- a carabao- drawn sledge is a traditional means of transportation as part of their lives, being preserved and celebrated with the culture of the old folks in street dancing and cultural showcase. It is celebrateed every 14th of April.

10. Manokan Festival
Concordia, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

"Manokan" comes from the word Manok which means chicken. A streetdancing, array of products display and food festival or chicken-based menus await guests to experience the festive activities. This festival promotes the preservation of Poultry raising as the main source of income of the community to sustain production of highly breed and good quality chicken, the major livelihood of the village as one of the suppliers of native chicken in some big restaurants in Iloilo City. It is celebrated every 30th of October.

11. Kadagatan Festival
San Roque, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Kadagatan Festival depicts the bounties of the sea of Barangay San Roque. Locals' livelihood is fishing and they are very much dependent of the richness of marine resources for their home consumption and sustain their family needs. "Kadagatan Festival" advocates community awareness as one of the potential asset for tourism and involvements in protecting their marine resources to sustain life. It also displays the traditional way of catching fish that has been observed by the old folks which is handed down from generation to generation. Celebrated every 27th of December.


OTHER FESTIVALS

1. Kasadyahan sa Kabukiran
Every June (Guimaras Environment and Natural Resources)

2. Harvest Festival
Every October-December

3. "Iwag Sang Paskua"
Every December 8-23, Municipality of Sibunag

4. "Paskua sa Barangay"
"Paskua sa Barangay" is held every December 1-31. It is celebration of the traditional activities for Christmas such as Daigon (Caroling), Parol (Lantern) and Christmas Tree Making Competitions. "Native Kakanin" are cooperatively prepared by the sponsor for the week for the viewers and guests as a manifestation of hospitality.

5. Foundation Day Celebrations
This affair is being celebrated to commmemorate the time when the 5 municipalities was created into a full pledged municipality. Activities participated by GOs, NGOs and Barangays.
Buenavista- Last week of January
Jordan- Last week of January
Nueva Valencia- First week of January
San Lorenzo- February 20
Sibunag- February 20


LOCAL CULTURE AND TRADITIONS
Superstitious Beliefs
* In the midnight of New Year, if a dog howls, there will be hunger in the coming year; if a cow moos, it is a sigh of prosperity.
* Single woman should not sing in front of the stove while cooking or she might remain unmarried all her life.
* A black cat crossing one's path foretells bad luck