MABALACAT CITY—Caragan, an annual festival in honor of the Ayta chieftain, who founded Pampanga’s newest city, wowed thousands of residents and guests during the climax of the four-day event here last week.
Mayor Marino “Boking” Morales and municipal official Dionisio “June” Magbalot, who is responsible for reviving arts and culture here, joined the grandest festival in the Central Luzon as the performers amazed the crowd with elaborate costumes, head dresses and performances
The festival is in honor of chieftain Caragan, an Ayta who is said to have founded the town named after Balacat trees, which were endemic in the area.
With 53 participating tribes from the junior (elementary) and main (high school/college) division, Caragan became the most watched and most attended festive event in the region. The parade and street dance filled at least 3 kilometers of the MacArthur Highway from Poblacion to Xevera in Tabun to highlight the Ayta ancestry of this town, which was founded in 1712. Another record set by the event was the simultaneous mass dance of 53 participating tribes which converged at Xevera after the three-hour parade. The dance was documented in aerial photo and video shots.
The parade also featured winners of Miss Mabalacat City and Haring Caragan pageants, with guest celebrity Rodjun Cruz.
The most awaited part is the announcement and awarding of certificates and plaques of recognition to Marcos Village Elementary School (Tribung Malig) and Mabalacat National High School (Tribung Nacional), which were hailed as grand winners. Judges included renowned artists, like dance guru Douglas Nierras with Powerdance dancers Marimar Obita, Erick Juanerio Frolan Dabalus and Julius Quitalig, hairstylist James Cooper, National Commission for Culture and Arts Director for Cultural Education Program Joseph Cristobal, songwriter-arranger Ato del Rosario, theater visual and Writer Armado Sta. Ana, tourism planning and development consultant Nilo Agustin, Cultural Center of the Philippines Department Manager for Cultural Exchange Carmencita “Chinggay” Bernardo, Artistic Director Gener Caringal,
The judges hailed the staging of Caragan, citing its importance not only to the arts but in preserving this city’s rich heritage.
“What you have brought to the people of Mabalacat through this festival is not only entertainment and pleasure, but a connection to a culture most young people tend to forget.
Their participation in the parade brings back to them a first-hand experience of the hardship that brought about the culture that is as rich as they have in Mabalacat,” Nierras said.
Image credits: Joey Pavia