IBALONG FESTIVAL

As with many festivals in the Philippines, the center of attraction at the Ibalong Festival is the synchronized dance parades on the city’s streets. The most spectacular thing about these dances is the majestic backdrop of the iconic Mayon Volcano. The dances are also a great place to interact with the locals.

For the adrenaline-charged individuals, nothing beats the energetic drag races as the cars whiz down the streets. With so many attractions at the Ibalong Festival, there is something for the whole family to enjoy. Do plan for this event in case you will be traveling to Philippines towards the end of the year.

These tales of bravery and strength in character are embodied in the festival’s activities, most notably in the Mutya ng Ibalong pageant, where women are chosen based on how they embody these traits. There’s also the carnival/Mardi Gras Parade that kicks off the festivities every year, ushering in the revelry to take place for the two-week event. One of the highlights, apart from the pageant and the carnival, is the annual Ibalong Festival Bazaar and Weekend Market. Hundreds of vendors from across the region gather to showcase their wares along Legazpi Boulevard.

IBALONG FESTIVAL

Festivals vary greatly in their origins. Philippine festivals are mostly tied to religion or an ancient tradition, but the Ibalong Festival of Legazpi City, Albay is unique because it’s born from from the Ibalong epic, a tale of three heroes who all fought to keep the peace for the town of Ibalong: Baltog, Handyong, and, Bantong. They fought mythical creatures such as the tandayag (giant boar), dambuhala (one-eyed monster), oryol (half-woman, half-serpent), and a giant called Rabot.

The festival kicks off on the 25th of October through to the 31st of the same month. The annual festival’s name was inspired by the popular legend that regales visitors with tales of the city’s pre-colonial past.

Ibalong Festival is a colorful week-long event that draws both locals and foreigners to sample the culture and lifestyle of the people of Legazpi City.