Kawayan Festival is a religious and cultural festival in the town of Alegria of Cebu, Philippines every December 2 to 3. It is held in honor of the patron saint of the town, St. Francis Xavier.
It is one of the cultural festivals participating in Pasigarbo sa Sugbo.
What is Kawayan Festival in Alegria, Cebu?
The name of the fest comes from kawayan, the local word for bamboo. According to the tourism office of the provincial government of Cebu, this annual event is aimed to “…promote the town through one of its sources of livelihood that is using bamboo as materials for creating products of various sorts.”
Devotion to St. Francis Xavier
People living in Alegria called the settlement Tubod, which is a local word for spring. Its name was changed to a Spanish word that means jovial or happy.
The church that was established in the colonial period was a visita of Samboan Parish (founded in 1784), itself formerly a visita of Barili Church (1614). It separated and became an independent parish on May 4, 1857 and placed under the patronage of St. Francis Xavier.
Kawayan Festival Activities
In 2023, its events included mass wedding, entertainment and variety shows, agro fair at the Alegria Heritage Park, beauty pageant (Binibining Alegria, Alegria Fiesta Queen), and music festival called Bayle.
How to reach Alegria, Cebu
From Mactan International Airport, take a cab or bus to South Bus Terminal in Cebu City. Take a bus ride for a trip to Bato via Barili and disembark at the town proper of Alegria.
References
- Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Inc. and University of San Carlos Press. 2010. ISBN 978-9715390187. Retrieved December 2, 2023
- Elizaga, Troy. The Formation of Towns and Parishes in Cebu, Philippines. Retrieved via Academia on December 2, 2023
- Kawayan Festival. Cebu Provincial Tourism Office. November 13, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2023
Kawayan Festival Summary
Name Kawayan Festival Celebration Bamboo, Culture, Religion Church St. Francis Xavier Church Contact (032) 476 7092 Country Philippines Date December 3 Email alegriatourism@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com Location Alegria, Cebu Organizer Municipal Government of Alegria Patron St. Francis Xavier Religion Roman Catholic Website alegriacebu.gov.ph
| Name | Kawayan Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Bamboo, Culture, Religion |
| Church | St. Francis Xavier Church |
| Contact | (032) 476 7092 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | December 3 |
| alegriatourism@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Location | Alegria, Cebu |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Alegria |
| Patron | St. Francis Xavier |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | alegriacebu.gov.ph |