Sorsogon Festivals

Many of the residents of Sorsogon belong to the Bisakol ethnolinguistic group. Many of the inhabitants of this province are Roman Catholics. Thus, Sorsogon festivals are mostly religious celebrations the whole year through. At the midst of their various festivals are myriads of different shows, concerts, carnivals, processions, street dancing and other types of celebrations. Every barangay in the province has its own fiesta.

Kasanggayahan Festival

One of the biggest Sorsogon festivals is Kasanggayahan Festival. Kasanggayahan means a life of prosperity. This is celebrated every October. This festival basically commemorates the foundation of Sorsogon as a province, so it is the entire province that actually celebrates this festival. Kasanggayahan Festival is actually listed as one of Philippine’s annual festivals. The whole celebration is characterized by series of religious, cultural, historical, economic and agro-industrial activities which are all geared toward showcasing the province’s abundant harvests. The highlights of the festival include Pantomina sa Tinampo where numerous dancers dressed in colorful native attire would come from all over the province to dance the Pantomina.

Pili Festival

Many of Sorsogon festivals are actually religious in nature. One of its festivals, however, Pili Festival is actually a celebration of the Pili tree which is indigenous to the province. This coincides with Sorsogon City’s annual fiestas in honor of St. Paul and St. Peter. The Pili festival and the fiesta of St. Paul and St. Peter are celebrated in the month of June. Participants dance down the streets wearing Pili-inspired costumes. This street dancing event actually highlights the celebration.

Padaraw Festival

This fiesta estival is celebrated in Bulan, Sorsogon. It is a celebration of thanksgiving. It shows the people’s gratitude for God’s gifts and bounties. The whole festival is characterized by ethnic music and dancing.

Butanding Arribada Festival

Sorsogon’s festival wouldn’t be complete if there is no festival celebrating the return of the Butanding in the area. The festival is held in time with the return of these wonderful huge sea creatures during the first week of March. It is meant to signal the opening of the Butanding season when the town of Donsol will open its doors to numerous tourists who will come for Butanding adventure. The season actually peaks during the summer or the months of March, April and May. Many tourists, local and foreign, are expected to arrive to see these gentle whale sharks. Swimming with these huge creatures is truly a worthwhile experience. The highlight of the festival is the long fluvial procession along the winding Donsol River where whale sharks are commonly seen converging during the summer.

Ginubat Festival

The word Ginubat is an old Bicol word which if translated means raided. Ginubat Festival is celebrated in the Gubat, Sorsogon. This old town of Sorsogon was one of the many places in Bicol which were frequently raided by Moro pirates who would come to loot and burn houses. Women were raped and people were taken as captives. Downplaying this dark history, the people of Gubat, Sorsogon chose to associate the word ginubat with their folk story of a time where their shores were frequently raided by giant fishes. Many people were alarmed by this phenomenon but nonetheless, they celebrated the bounties that came with the appearance of large fishes on their shores. Many people actually believe that this is how the town got its name. Nowadays, this festival is celebrated during the second week of June. It is also during this time that the town celebrates its fiesta. Accordingly, street dancing highlights the event.

Hin-ay Festival

Like many Sorsogon festivals, Hin-ay Festival is a religious fiesta that is celebrated in Irosin, Sorsogon. It is actually an event that honors the town’s patron saint, St. Michael the Archangel. This features a huge food festival, agro-trade fair, contests and of course, a Mardi Gras.

Sorsogon festivals are extravagant, colorful and flamboyant. You can dance the Pantomina during the Kasanggayahan Festival or you can join the procession during the Butanding Arribada Festival. Celebrating any of Sorsogon festivals will certainly be a memorable experience.