Cultural
Competition
Get to Know the Amazing Cultural Events this year.
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Experience the vibrant cultural heritage of Guimaras at the Street Dancing and Cultural Competition, a grand showcase of the province's rich traditions. This annual event brings together five municipalities - Buenavista, Jordan, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag - to celebrate their unique cultural identities.
The competition is a highlight of the Manggahan Festival, which commemorates the founding anniversary of Guimaras as a province. The event features captivating performances that showcase the province's cultural splendor, including street dancing, music, and art.
Participating groups bring to life the essence of their respective municipalities, portraying their livelihoods, traditions, and cultural treasures with flair and finesse. The event is a testament to the province's rich heritage and its people's passion for preserving their cultural identity.
Join the celebration and experience the vibrant culture of Guimaras at the Street Dancing and Cultural Competition.
STREETDANCING COMPETITION: May 22 at 5:00 pm - onwards
MANGGAHAN CULTURAL COMPETITION: May 25 at 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Palayag Festival
Municipality of Buenavista
This cultural festival makes maximum use of the rich cultural tradition of the oldest municipality of the province. The presentation of songs, dances and musical tableau depics the various influences Buenavista has been subjected to. They defined “Palayag” as to sail through “Layag”, a kinaradto form of sea travel.
Buenavista’s identity is deeply rooted in the construction and use of the layag, a traditional seafaring vessel. These boats facilitate essential trade, both within the region and beyond, demanding unwavering resolve from the community as they navigate the sea’s unpredictable nature. The Palayag Festival highlights this resilience ensuring that the legacy of “palayag”— the spirit of perseverance and its ancestral value— is passed down to younger generations, fostering a profound appreciation for their heritage and the strength required to overcome adversity.
Pag-Ani festival
Municipality of San Lorenzo
The Municipal Foundation Day marks the establishment and growth of the municipality of San Lorenzo. This celebration is filled with a range of activities and events that fosters a sense of unity, pride and gratitude among the San Lorenzohanons.
The San Lorenzo festival uses vibrant dance performances to depict the town’s agricultural life, abundant harvests, and devout community. These dances also narrate the cultivation and harvesting of their agricultural produce.
Bulantihan Festival
Municipality of Jordan
This event is a celebration of the culture of Jordan where the products produced from their livelihood are brought in the market for “bolante” or trade. It is primarily a celebration of the economic endeavor that made Jordan what it is today.
The Manugbulante, the industrious heart and strength of the municipality, are honored annually during the Manggahan Festival. This celebration showcases the vital interplay of agriculture, fishing, ad trade in Jordan. The vibrant dance performances embody the collective joy and cultural pride of these essential workers.
Sadsaran Festival
Municipality of Nueva Valencia
Sadsaran Festival is derived from the term “sadsad” which is the common term for dancing used by the Nuevalenciahanons to celebrate the bountiful harvest from fishing and agriculture highlighting mangoes, being the source of the sweetest mango of Guimaras depicting the rich culture and traditions of the Nueva Valenciahanons coupled with rituals of offerings and thanksgiving.
Nueva Valencia’s Sadsaran Festival, a vibrant community celebration, shines a spotlifht on its prized “Super Galila” mangoes, the sweetest in Guimaras. This festival, beyond honoring the local bounty, prioritizes youth development and promotes the town’s burgeoning agri-tourism industry, aiming for global recognition. This festival also unites the community in a joyous expression of gratitude for their abundance.
Balsahan Festival
Municipality of Sibunag
The celebration is Sibunag’s way of immortalizing the mystical Sibunag River which makes its way through most of the town barangays. It is a major geographical feature of the town’s barangays. The river holds interesting myths and legends that inspire many to unravel its secrets. Through the use of Balsa, visitors and tourists can tour and explore the river.
The Sibunganon people relied on Balsa– bamboo rafts, for transportation and harvest transport, demonstrating their resourcefulness. This is where the name of their municipality’s Hubon “Hubon Balsahan,” came from, a testament to their community’s collective strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit.
The Municipality presents its vibrant festival as an expression of love and unity, showcasing the collective discernment, bountiful harvests, and cultural heritage enriched by the renowned Guimaras mangoes. This strength and flexibility mirror the bamboo Balsa, which bends but remains unbroken.
Event Area
The Heartbeat of the Festival. Feel the Rhythm and Energy of the Street Dance & Cultural Dance Competition
Jordan Food Terminal to Main Events Area
