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It was in 2009 when our team first covered the Kabakahan Festival. Three years after, we were still welcomed by the same warmth given to us then; still amazed by the same unified spirit elicited from every move of the festival dancers.
With this year’s theme, “Bawat Garciano, Makabayang Batangueño, Huwarang Pilipino”, Kabakahan Festival 2012 was another victorious event for the people of Padre Garcia. Not only were they able to put in order various events for this year’s celebration, but more importantly, they were able to prove that they are up to preserve their culture over the years.
Kabakahan Festival is celebrated every December 1st and this is a way of enriching Padre Garcia’s tourism and highlighting the town’s primary source of income, cattle and its trading.
In partnership with San Miguel Corporation, the local government added another point of attraction in the children’s park across the municipal hall. These are life-size sculptures of livestock made by a homegrown talent, Dennis Bughaw.
It was a day of plaids and cowboy hats as people from the municipal government as headed by Padre Garcia’s main man, Hon. Mayor Prudencio “Dacio” A. Gutierrez, were in full gear for their valued festival. He also led the people in welcoming their guests, former senator Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Vice Governor Mark Leviste, Provincial Board Member Carlos Bolilia IV, and Atty. Micaela Rosales, Corporate Lawyer of San Miguel Corporation.
Padre Garcia’s 63rd Founding Anniversary
Back in the old days, Padre Garcia was called Sambat and it was still an old barrio of the municipality of Rosario. But because the people wanted to be autonomous, they sought for the help of Don Graciano Recto and Don Claro Recto.
Eventually, the public reached their goal and the then newly founded town was named after one of its famous sons, Padre Vicente Teodoro Garcia from Brgy. Maugat, a known writer and defender of Dr. Jose Rizal.
Padre Garcia became a 2nd class municipality under the administration of Mayor Dacio.
Where it all started
Kabakahan stands for Kabaka, Kabataan, Kababaihan, Katatandaan, Kalalakihan, Baka, Bakahan, Simbahan at Pamahalaan. It was through the leadership of Mayor Dacio and the group, Garciano’s Tribe, that Kabakahan Festival came to its existence. The festivities are made possible through the efforts of the local government and the Garciano’s Tribe, with its head and the chairman of the events, Mr. Ruel Namuco.
Mayor Dacio shared that aside from promoting their pride – the biggest auction market in Southern Tagalog region, one of the goals of Kabakahan Festival is to preserve their culture which they aim to carry over until the generations to come.
Rodeo Ala Garciano
It would not be Kabakahan Festival if the spotlight would not be directed to ‘baka’ or cows. Every year, the festival draws wranglers from different universities in the country to compete in various rodeo challenges.
De La Salle Araneta University (Wranglers Club and USAS), University of the Philippines Los Baños, Central Luzon State University, Bicol State University, and Stallions.
Winners of the Rodeo Competitions will be posted soon.
Street and Court Dance Competitions
Nine schools contended for this year’s Street and Court Dance Competitions. These are Banay-banay Elementary School, Pansol Elementary School, Magnum Opus Formation School, Holy Family Academy, Quilo-Quilo South Elementary School, Payapa Elementary School, Holy Trinity School, Banaba Elementary School, and Bukal Elementary School.
The main competition was held at the church patio where the town folks gathered to show support to the young festival dancers. The afternoon was made even more festive by the Jhocson Tribe of Manila Drum Beaters.
And here are the winners of the Kabakahan Festival 2012 Street and Court Dance Competitions.
Court Dance Champion: Quilo-Quilo South Elementary School
1st Runner-Up: Banaba Elementary School
2nd Runner-Up: Magnum Opus Formation School
Best in Costume: Magnum Opus Formation School
Best in Street Dancing: Banaba Elementary School
What Kabakahan Festival means for the Garcianos is beyond merely celebrating a flamboyant event. It is their way of keeping the connection between the olden years and the present time and strengthening the bond among the people of the Cattle Trading Capital of the Philippines, Padre Garcia.
Kudos to all the Garcianos! Mabuhay ang Kabakahan Festival!
Kabakahan Festival 2012 Image Gallery
(see more photos here)
Last Updated: September 16, 2013
