Bicolano Greetings

A Pleasant Day: Dios Marhay na aldaw

You are beautiful: Magayon ka

What is your name? Ano pangaran mo?

Good Afternoon: Dios Marhay na hapon

Good Day: Dios Marhay na aldaw

Good Morning: Dios Marhay na aga

Thank You: Dios Mabalos

Welcome: Dagos po!

Where are you going? Masain ka?

Pabili nga po?: Pabakal po.

Good evening!: Dios marhay na banggi po!

Lets eat.: Makakan po kita.

How are you?: Kamusta po kamo?

How much is this? bGurano ini?

I love you: Namomotan ta’ka

Bicolandia's Festivals

Pabirik Festival - February 1-2, Paracale, Camarines Norte

Held in the town of Paracale, the festival is highlighted by Pabirik street dancing, depicting the gold mining industry
in the province.

Bicol Arts Festival - February 1-28, Legazpi City

A week-long festival showcasing the region's arts and culture, crafts and agro-industrial products coming from the
six (6) provinces and three (3) cities of Bicol. It coincides with the celebration of the National Arts Month every
February.

Tinagba Festival - February 11, Iriga City

A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early
rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor
for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and
carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops, ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here
all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.

1st Annual Harana: Karantahan nin Pagranga (A Music Festival) - February 14, San Jose, Camarines Sur
The festival feature local talents and young artists in its effortsa to promote cultural awareness, tourism development
and youth empowerment in the District of partido. Highlighted by the Bicol Love Song Choral Competition. Other
activities are lined up to drumbeat the affair.

Karanowan Fish-tival - February 15, Bato, Camarines Sur

Acelebration promoting the rich aquatic resources of Lake Bato. Derived from local dialect Ranow meaning lake,
participants are clad in fish-like costumes depicting the different indigenous fish of Bato Lake while gracefully
dancing to creatively choreographed movements in their gaily colored unique outfits fashioned from indigenous
materials.

Himag-ulaw Festival - February 17, Placer, Masbate

A celebration of praise and thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest in farming or good catch in fishing expressed
through various forms of activities like street dancing, beauty competition, games and contests, food fairs, among
others.

Rodeo Masbatenyo - April 6-8, Masbate

Hold on to your horses, caballeros, its rodeo time in Masbate once again! Feel the excitement as our local cowboys
pit their brains against bovine brawn in western style rodeo events like bull riding and sterr wrestling, apart from our
local games like the good old carabao race. So put on them boots and saddle up its gonna be a rope-slingin, dust-
kickin, cowpunchibn' affair.

Baybayon: A Festival of Advocacy - April 9-20, Bacacay, Albay

Senakulo: Good Friday - Paracale

This is lenten presentation reenacting the Passion of Christ. Lenten observance includes Visita Iglesias or altar
visitations and processions.

Kadagatan Festival - Black Saturday, Bacacay, Albay

A boat race of outriggered sea crafts powdered manually, while Palayag is another boat race with sails. The
grandiose spectacle is the show of colorful sails set against the backdrop of Albay Gulf puncture by the deep
ultramarine color of the sea. Participants from the different parts of Albay merge in this small in this small
progressive coastal town of Bacacay to join, win big cash prizes and earn the honor of most skilled sailor.

Partido Baybayon Festival - April 26-28, Sagay, Camarines Sur

This festival showcases the different tourism areas in the district and launch the municipality of Sagay as summer
capital of Partido. Visitors converge in Nato shoreline or Baybayon in local dialect where various activities are
featured.

Butanding Festival - April 28-30, Donsol, Sorsogon

A festival which ushers the Butanding (whaleshark season) and a thanksgiving for the blessings that it give to the
people of Donsol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade.

Boa-Boahan "Alinsangan∩" Festival - May 1, Nabua, Camarines Sur

A colorful cultural festival of pagan origin. Derived from the dialect, alinsangan, a word that describes the
characteristics of the people living in the early settlements. It is a festival showing fertility and thanksgiving. Fertility,
because Boa was taken from the young embryo of the coconut and thanksgiving for it was their only source of food
after the ravage of floodwaters.

Magayon Festival - May 1-31, Albay

A festival in the merry month of May, showcasing Albay as it comes to age, its cultural heritage, trade, travel and
tourism beyond Majestic Mount Mayon. The festival includes various activity such as beauty pageant, photo/art
exhibit, street parade, trade fair, sports fest, guided tours, etc.

Dayaw Dalan Festival - May 1-3, San Jacinto, Ticao Island, Masbate
Dayaw is an old Tigaonon term which means to show off, parade or display. In its strictest meaning, dayaw is to
present with pride what is distinctly and essentially inherent in a person. Dalan on the other hand, means in olden
times, a mountain trail which now includes path, street and highway. Dayaw Dalan Festival symbolizes the best of
what the municipality of San Jacinto have as a town and as a people. The festival is held in honor of its patron saint,
Santo Cristo de Burgos.

Palong Festival - May 10-13, Capalonga, Camarines Norte

Higlighted by a street dancing and agro industrial fair which expresses local folks gratitude for their town's name
etymology and signifies the abundant presence of rooster available in the locality. Held also in celebration of their
Black Nazarene's Feast Day on May 13.

Black Nazarene Feast - May 13, Capalonga, Camarines Norte

A two-day religious festivity in honor of the town's Patron Saint, the Black Nazarene, which is the object of
veneration not only by the locals but by foreign devotees as well. It is highlighted by a pligrimage where people
come in thousands to give in their respect to the miraculous Patron Saint.

Sarung Banggi Festival - May 18-25, Sto. Domingo, Albay

A fun-filled 8-day summer activity to immortalize the song Sarung Banggi and pay tribute to its composer
Potenciano Gregorio. It showcases a variety of cultural and religious activities, food and sports fest, Beauty Search,
folksong fest, agro-industrial fair and many more.

Catandungan: Padayaw Festival - May 20-24, Virac, Catanduanes

Padadyaw is an old Catandunganon term which means to show one's best with pride and dignity coupled with
excitement. This is a street-dancing of delegation per town to the tune of Pantomina. The towns are encouraged to
flaunt its own image by associating its delegations costume and dance to what the town is best known for.

Kaogma Festival - May 21-27, Camarines Sur

A week-long celebration of the of the foundation anniversary of the Province of Camarines Sur. The festival features
numerous activities such as cultural expositions, sports events, beauty pageant, procession and Grand Parade.

Padaraw Festival - May 30, Bulan, Sorsogon

A festival showcsing colorful costumes fashioned from the abaca fiber. It is highlighted by a grand street
presentation wherein the participants are clad in colorful costumes using the abaca fibers.

Tabak Festival - June 16-21, Tabaco City

Held in conjunction with the celebration of the City's 1st Foundation Anniversary. The festival derived its name from
a local word "Tabak", meaning bolo, where the name of the City (Tabaco) was taken from. It's highlight is a street
presentation where participants' showcases the legend of the City. Numerous other activities are lined up to drum
beat the affair.

Oyange Kaugman Festival - June 20-29, Polangui, Albay

Pili Festival - June 20-29, Sorsogon, Sorsogon

Pili is an indigenous crop of Bicol region, particularly Sorsogon. This festival showcases the Pili, the primary purpose
of which is to emphasize its importance and to increase the awareness of the public on its various economic uses.
One way of doing this is through a street dance presentation, a highlight of the festival. The street dance presents
the three (3) stages of Pili, from green (young fruit) to violet (half-mature) to black (mature) nuts and how it is being
processed into different kinds of sweets and delicacies.

Ginubat Festival - June 11-12, Gubat, Sorsogon

A festival based on the roots of the town of which its name was derived. It features the following activities: cultural
street parade, exhibits, sailboat race, beauty pageant, fiesta celebration and the Balik-Gubat which is the highlight of
the festival.

Katalingkasan Festival - July 21-25, Libon, Albay

Katalingkasan which means freedom and rebirth, is held in conjunction with the Libon Town Fiesta and the feast of
its Patron Saint, St. James the Greater. The festival aims to revive the rich cultural heritage of the town and at the
same time promote local tourism.

Mercedes Fishtival - August 6-11, Mercedes, Camarines Norte

It is a fishermen's holiday celebration, in which said festivity is dedicated as a time of annual thanksgiving for the
blessings and bounty received from the Almighty during the seafaring, fishing expeditions and fish farming
endeavors. The fishtival is not only a week-long merry making but also a moment of retrospect and recognition of
Mother Nature for having endowed Mercedes with a gift of vast fishery resources, magnificent shorelines and other
aquatic potentials and the wise utilization and preservation of ecological balance for the attainment of environmental
dignity and beauty.

Pagsuwak Festival - August 12-17, Guinobatan, Albay

Derived from a local word "Suwak" meaning the process of flowering or blossoming, thus, "pagsuwak" is a sign of
growth, devewlopment and progress of the municipality. The festival, therefore, which is held to coincide with the
town fiesta signifies act of thanksgiving for the bounties from the land. Various activities are lined up highlighted by a
street presentation.

Coron Festival - August 15-17, Tiwi, Albay

Coron is a Bicol dialect meaning clay-pot or potteries of which the town of Tiwi is popularly known for. Thus, the
festival's main feature is the municipalities pottery industry which is done with skills passed from parents to children
and perfected through long years of practice without the benfit of written manuals. Highlight of the festival is a Street
Presentation.

Pilgrimage to Joroan - 3rd Saturday of August, Joroan, Tiwi, Albay

Every 3rd Saturday of August, thousands of devotees flocked to this coastal town in Albay to pay homage to the
miraculous image of Our Lady of Salvation, Patroness of albay. It is highlighted by a maritime procession after a
mass at Joroan Church. The image is carried by the menfolks down to the beach where a large and well-decorated
trawl boat is docked. An entourage of similarly decorated pumpboats follow, carrying the pilgrims and devotees to
the shores and village at Sogod where a concelebrated mass is held again.

Daragang Magayon Festival - August 26-September 8, Daraga, Albay

A historical and religious celebration in honor of the town's patron saint, Our Lady of the Gate. It aims to showcase
the cultural life of Daraguenos. Various colorful activities are lined up for this celebration.

Voyadores Festival - 3rd Friday of September, Naga City

Borne on the shoulders of her male devotees, and her voyage back in a fluvial procession along the Bicol River. It is
named after the male devotees (voyadores) who accompany and carry the Virgin's image in a procession called
Traslacion for a Novena at the Metropolitan Cathedral

Penafrancia Festival - 3rd Saturday of September, Naga City

A religious festival honoring the feast day of Our Lady of Penafrancia, Patroness of the Bicol Region. The festivity
begins on the second Friday of September when the Image of the Virgin of Penafrancia is carried by hundreds of
male devotees from her shrine to Naga Cathedral. Main highlight is the fluvial procession along the Naga River.

Himoloan Festival - September 28-29, Oas, Albay

This festival commemorates the Patronal Feast of St. Michael the Archangel. Himoloan literally means pag-atang or
tinagba (offering). Thus, it is the time of the year when the faithful honor their patron, St. Michael on the Feast of the
Archangels by offering to him not only material goods but the talents that God bestowed upon all as well. Its
highlight is the Himoloan street presentation and the Carrosa Contest wherein it is participated by the different
barangay and is also open to other barangays of other nearby towns to gather and bring the carrosa/andas of their
patron decorated with their produce as well as native materials found within their reach.

Hin-Ay Festival - September 28-29, Irosin, Sorsogon

This festival is a commemoration of the feast day of the town's Patron Saint, St. Michael the Archangel, and at the
same time a rediscovery of the town's cultural heritage. The festival traces the struggles of the people of Irosin at
various stages of its history and aims to renew the enthusiasm and faith among people for sustained involvement in
community building. Various activities include: Mardi Gras, which depicts the victory of the Archangels over the
Black Angel, cultural show, agro-trade fair, beauty pageant, food festival, among others.

Ibalong Festival - October, Legazpi City

A festival depicting Bicol's early beginning as portrayed by the characters in the epic entitled IBALONG. The name
was the early nomenclature of Bicol region. It showcases many superheroes such as Handiong, Baltog and Bantong
among others. The festival is highlighted by a street presentation where masks of heroes and villains are paraded
on mainstreets, combined with song and dances. Other activities include trade fair, art exhibit, sports fest such as
the triathlon, guided tours, beauty pageant and other colorful competitions.

Kasanggayahan Festival - October 15-25, Sorsogon, Sorsogon

This festival was derived from the dialect which means "prosperity and happiness". It is a joyous celebration held
primarily to commemorate the Foundation Anniversary of Sorsogon since its establishment as a separate province
from Albay. The highlight is the "Pantomina sa Tinampo" participated in by LGUs, schools, NGOs and other civic
organizations.

Catandungan Festival - October 22-24, Virac, Catanduanes

A celebration of the province's anniversary and tribute to its founders, to continuously remind the people of
Catanduanes of the province's independence from the province of Albay. Main features of the festival are: street
dance Pantomina, beauty pageant, agro-trade fair, sports fest, guided tour, art/photo exhibits, etc.

Pastores Bicol - December 18, Legazpi City

An interpretative folk festival related to the celebration of Christmas tradition. It reenacts the rejoicing shepherds
who sang the first Christmas Carol during the birth of Baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Locally known as "pastores", here
they are clad in colorful costumes with the traditional arc and "musikeros" as they sing and dance to the tune of
"Pastores a Belen."

Kamundagan Festival - December 1-31, Naga City

In the month of December, Naga City opens its door for a whole month in celebrating its charter anniversary and the
Birth of Christ with the cooperative efforts of Camarines Sur and Naga City. The festivity seeks to boost tourism,
expand business and provide livelihood opportunities by showcasing various activities, the highlights of which are
the "kiri-kiti", "pastoras", beauty search, agro-industrial fair, civic parade, cultural shows and other colorful events.