KanLAHI Festival

KanLAHI Festival, officially Kanlungan ng Lahi Festival, is the annual cultural festival in the province of Tarlac, Philippines every first week of March. It was conceptualized to celebrate the diversity of its people and promote tourism.

History of KanLAHI Festival

KanLAHI Festival comes from the shortened form of kanlungan ng lahi, which translates to cradle of races. It was first launched under the term of Governor Susan Yap in May 2017 in line with the 144th founding anniversary.

In succeeding years, the schedule was moved and the provincial legislative board declared every first week of March as KanLAHI Festival Week.

The festival gives a toast to the people, culture, and tradition of the province. According to the Philippine Statistics Office in 2000, it is considered the ‘melting pot’ of Luzon. Its population is composed of people who moved to the province coming from nearby places such as the Ilocanos, Pampangueños, Pangasinenses, and Tagalogs.

It pushed through its activities in 2020 despite the COVID-19 scare. The next year, much of the activities were streamed online to avoid the gathering of crowds.

KanLAHI Festival Activities

A few of the activities of the festival start before the official opening. This is true for preliminary events of the Binibining Kanlahi, the prestigious beauty pageant. As one of the highlights, it is search for the female candidate with wit, beauty, and presence.

Others are events such as music, parade, art shows, painting contest, Palaro ng Lahi (which is traditional games), street dancing and showdown called Sayawan at Yugyugan, chorale, pet shows, fireworks display, etc. Its schedule also has space for sports such as fun run, basketball, paralympics, motocross, and e-games.

Various contests are also held such talent competitions, cook fest, etc. People can also see and buy locally made products in the agri-farm trade.

How to reach Tarlac

Tarlac is a three-hour land trip via bus from Manila. One can also book a flight to Clark International Airport and take a bus to Tarlac.

References

• Hernandez, Jerry. Tarlac sets 3rd Kanlahi festival. The Manila Times. February 20, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• Calayag, Maria Adelaida. Tarlac festival pushes through amid virus scare: ‘Just bring your alcohol’. Philippine Daily Inquirer. March 3, 2020. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• Manalo, Lyka. KanLAHI Festival features 2nd national painting competition. Manila Bulletin. March 2, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• Tarlac celebrates 1st KanLAHI festival. Sun Star Pampanga. May 28, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• 145th Founding Anniversary and 2nd Kanlahi Festival of TarlacOctober 9, 2022. Radio Television Malacañang. March 7, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• Pavia, Joey. Tarlac celebrates 144th founding anniversary. Business Mirror. May 23, 2017. Retrieved October 9, 2022
• Proclamation No. 109, s. 1999. Official Gazette. Retrieved October 10, 2022
• Manalili, Trixie Joy. KanLAHI Festival bolsters identity, showcases culture of Tarlac. iOrbitNews. February 26, 2021. Retrieved October 10, 2022
• Tarlac: Population Reached a Million Mark (Results from the 2000 Census of Population and Housing, NSO). Philippine Statistics Office. August 13, 2002. Retrieved October 10, 2022

KanLAHI Festival Summary

Name	KanLAHI Festival
Country	Philippines
Date	March 12
Duration	1 week
Email	tarlac.info@gmail.com
Established	May 2017
Facebook	www.facebook.com
Location	Tarlac
Official Name	Kanlungan ng Lahi Festival
Website	tarlac.gov.ph