Hamaka Festival, also known as Hamaka Festival: Araw ng Pasasalamat, is a week-long cultural and thanksgiving festival in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines every third Sunday of February. It celebrates the garments and woodworking industries of the town. Taytay is touted as the Garments and Woodworks Capital of the Philippines.
The date may be declared a holiday through executive issuance (such as issuing Proclamation 1100 in 2021 and Proclamation No. 448 in 2024). Representative Michael John R. Duavit authored House Bill No. 8508 to make every third Monday of February a special nonworking holiday in Taytay.
Etymology
Hamaka Festival is derived from hamaka, a combination of the words hamba (door jamb), makina (sewing machine), and kabuhayan (livelihood) / kasuotan (garments or couturier’s design).
Its longer name, Hamaka Festival: Araw ng Pasasalamat means Hamaka Festival: Day of Thanksgiving.
The word hamaka also refers the native hammock weaved from rattan and is also known as duyan. According to a tradition, the national hero Jose Rizal was carried in a hamaka as he accompanied his mother Teodora from Taytay to Antipolo.
History of Hamaka Festival
The town of Taytay previously held Araw ng Pasasalamat (Thanksgiving Day). The residents of Taytay for years celebrated thanksgiving day in February, which was a day that townsfolk gave thanks for the bountiful harvest. After the liberation from the Japanese Imperial Army in 1945, it was conducted to commemorate after the end of World War II.
In 1975, it was renamed Hamaka Festival.
The event showcases the garments and woodworking industries that the town is known for, with which aided the town to rise up from the ravages of war and continue to prosper since then. Furthermore, it is a celebration of creativity, artistry, and craftsmanship and talent of its people.
The festival was moved online at the height of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021. In-person gathering commenced in 2022 limited to fully vaccinated individuals who were given tickets to grace the activities.
Hamaka Festival Activities
The Hamaka Festival’s calendar of activities include job fair, sports, cooking contest, competitions, socio-civic activities fashion show, religious events, concerts, talent competitions, beauty pageants (Ginoong Karpintero at Binibining Mananahi, Hari at Reyna ng Hamakan, Mr. & Ms. Teen Taytay, Munting Mutya at Ginoo 2015), variety shows, Retaso Festival, and Liberation Day.
The highlight is the grand parade participated by the LGU employees, schools, and various organizations.
How to reach Taytay, Rizal
Public transport is available from Metro Manila, and it is about 30 kilometers away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
References
- Nel Andrade. Taytay, Rizal holds Hamaka Festival 2023. Manila Bulletin. February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- Taytay Hamaka Festival. Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- House Bill No. 8508. House of Representatives of the Philippines. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- ARAW NG PASASALAMAT: HAMAKA FESTIVAL. Legislative Digital Resources. Senate of the Philippines. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- Anna Cerezo. Taytay muling binalik ang pisikal na pagdiriwang ng Hamaka Festival. ABS-CBN News. February 11, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- Fernan Angeles. Hamaka Festival sa Taytay, tuloy pero online muna. FrontPage PH. February 10, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- HAMAKA Festival 2023. Taytay Public Information Office. Retrieved February 25, 2024
- Neil Alcober. Taytay residents give thanks at Hamaka Festival. Daily Tribune. February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2024
Hamaka Festival Summary
Name Hamaka Festival Country Philippines Duration 1 week Email smiletaytaypio@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com Location Taytay, Rizal Organizer Municipal Government of Taytay Other Names Hamaka Festival: Araw ng Pasasalamat Previous Name Araw ng Pasasalamat Website www.taytayrizal.gov.ph
| Name | Hamaka Festival |
|---|---|
| Country | Philippines |
| Duration | 1 week |
| smiletaytaypio@gmail.com | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Location | Taytay, Rizal |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Taytay |
| Other Names | Hamaka Festival: Araw ng Pasasalamat |
| Previous Name | Araw ng Pasasalamat |
| Website | www.taytayrizal.gov.ph |