Photo from RMN Networks
If you’re up to immerse yourself in the country’s rich culture and traditions, one thing you should not miss are the lively and colorful festivals in the Philippines. These mirror each location’s historical events and celebrate the heart and artistry of its locals.
As a starter, you may not want to go too far to experience these lively festivals. The good news is, there are a number of festivals you can attend in proximity to the Metro, one of which is the Hamaka Festival in Taytay, Rizal.
“Taytay Rizal’s Hamaka Festival is a week-long yearly held festival exhibiting both admiration and appreciation for the collective artistry of the town’s prolific artists” (Lumina, 2022). The festival honors three significant industries in Taytay–Hamba (woodwork), Makina (sewing machines), and Kasuotan (garments).
This week-long festival features different cultural activities, parades, concerts, competitions, pageants, and more.
The Hamaka Festival “was originally called “Araw ng Pasasalamat,” a commemoration of the town’s liberation from the clutches of the Japanese Imperial Army in World War II” (Cerezo, 2021).
In 1975, it was renamed Hamaka Festival to celebrate the trade that helped Taytay recover from the fallout of the war and become what it is today — the garment capital of the Philippines (Cerezo, 2021).
The festival also coincides with the National Arts Month which is celebrated annually throughout February in the Philippines.
This year, the Hamaka Festival is tentatively set on February 12-18. Mark your calendars and have your schedule ready for this wonderful event!
References
Cerezo, A. G. (2021). Taytay’s Hamaka Festival goes online to help garment industry recover. Retrieved from https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/12/21/taytays-hamaka-festival-goes-online-to-help-garment-industry-recover
Lamudi. (2022). Mark Your Calendars: Schedule of Philippine Festivals in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/schedule-philippine-festivals-2023/
Lumina. (2022). Schedules of Philippine Festivals in 2023. Retrieved from https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/schedules-of-philippine-festivals-in-2023/