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Festivals in Palawan

Palawan, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, hosts several festivals throughout the year. Here are some of the notable festivals celebrated in Palawan:

 

Festivals in Palawan

1. Tarek Palawan Festival

3rd week of January (Aborlan, Palawan)

a yearly celebration observed by indigenous people, especially those of the Tagbanua and Batak tribes. The municipality of Aborlan hosts the Tarek festival, which is observed under a full moon. People dressed in woven garments and handcrafted decorations conduct tribal dances. As a ceremony, the dance is done to drive away evil spirits that could hurt humans. Aside from that, the purpose of this celebration is to thank the gods for prosperity and ongoing assistance.

2. Arawedan Festival

January 23-24 (San Vicente, Palawan)

This Palawan festival, which is held at Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan, showcases the island’s tourist attractions, which include parks, beaches, and marine reserves. Programs honoring Palawan’s cultural treasures are also a part of the festival.

3. Puerto Princesa Foundation Day and Balayong Festival

March 14 (Puerto Princesa, Palawan)

Palawan also celebrates the day Puerto Princesa was granted cityhood, a day known as the “City in the Forest.” A variety of events are held to highlight abilities, friendship, and teamwork. Sports events, pageants, and quiz bees take place on this day. Locals and visitors alike witness street dances and parades as well.
The official celebration of the Balayong festival, held on March 4th, coincides with the celebration of Puerto Princesa Foundation Day. With its cascade of light pink blossoms, the Balayong tree, often called the Palawan cherry, is reminiscent of the well-known Japanese sakura tree or cherry blossoms. The ritual to plant the Balayong trees traditionally marks the beginning of the festival.

FACT: To honor the city’s founding, an ordinance was enacted in 2005 designating March 4 as the official Balayong day.

4. Kulambo Festival

March 15 to 18 (El Nido, Palawan)

Although El Nido is renowned for its lavish lifestyle and top-notch attractions, the Kulambo Festival is a must-attend event in this region of Palawan. Townspeople parade across the town while wearing Kulambo costumes for this occasion. This festival also highlights the town’s efforts to end malaria.

FACT: El Nido and other Palawan cities are surrounded by tropical woods. Additionally, the humidity and temperature provide ideal conditions for malaria-carrying mosquitoes to reproduce.

5. Pangalipay sa Baybay

April (Puerto Princesa, Palawan)

“Pangalipay sa Baybay” is the term for having fun by the bay. The government of Puerto Princesa City organizes the week-long festival, which it began in 2019. In collaboration with the Association of Accredited Tourist Accommodation in Puerto Princesa (AATAPP), this Palawan event was held.

6. Pasinggatan Festival

1st week of May (Taytay, Palawan)

The name of the Pasinggatan Festival comes from a Cuyuno word meaning brightness or luster. It is an annual celebration that highlights Palawan’s diverse ethnic cultures, music, dances, traditional games, and cuisine. A street dance competition and a pageant with the crowning of the festival queen are among its principal activities.

7. Baragatan Festival

May 22-June 2 (Puerto Princesa, Palawan)

The Baragatan Festival, which takes its name from a Cuyunon phrase meaning “to gather,” is one of the occasions in Palawan that genuinely unite people to experience the region’s offerings. During this Palawan celebration, locals and visitors get together to enjoy the most delicious regional cuisine, visit trade shows, view a procession of vibrant floats, and watch various events including street dancing, singing, and battle of the bands. Apart from those activities, the Baragatan Festival seeks to highlight its unique culture and quaint tourism attractions.

 

8. Cuyo Fiesta

August (Cuyo, Palawan)

With its participants’ blackened skin, soot-covered faces, and brightly colored headgear, this Palawan celebration will bring to mind the Ati-Atihan celebration in Aklan. It reenacts San Agustin’s battle with the indigenous and features vibrant parades, dance and musical performances, all to honor the rich cultural legacy of this small Palawan island community.

9. Anihan Festival

Last week of October (Narra, Palawan)

The Anihan Festival, also called the Palay Festival, is a showcase event for the municipality’s goods. One of the most well-known celebrations in this southern region of Palawan, it serves as a means of giving appreciation for the abundant crop.

FACT: The town of Narra is sometimes referred to as the “rice granary of Palawan.”

10. The Pagdiwata Tribal Ritual

December (Aborlan, Palawan)

The Pagdiwata Tribal ritual is a tribal rite performed in the municipality of Aborlan. Locals might undertake a ceremony during this Palawan celebration as a way to give thanks to God for all the blessings they consistently receive and for their pleas to have sick province inhabitants healed. It includes a spiritual rite performed in the full moon’s illumination. Following the ceremony, attendees can unwind and enjoy themselves in the nearby beaches.

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