FESTIVALS

SURFING CUP

Every February, the province of Aurora plays host to the Aurora Surfing Cup, which
through the years, has established a steady following of local and international surfing
enthusiasts. The province boasts of internationally recognized surf sites such as
Sabang Beach (beach break), Cemento Beach (reef break), and Charlie’s Point (river
mouth break). The best waves in these areas come around October to March

SUBUTAN FESTIVAL

The Sabutan Festival in the town of San Luis, province of Aurora highlights the
importance of growing palm trees locally called Sabutan on the community’s economic
wellbeing. The raw material which grows on mountain terrain and forest land is used to
weave a variety of useful products and ornamentals like hats, placemats, fans and even
native dress – all made of Sabutan. The exclusive art of weaving Sabutan is handed
down from one generation to the other. The festival features native dance presentation
among school children, trade fair, cultural shows and exhibits

MORO MORO ZARSUELA

Presented on February 19 (Aurora Day) in Baler, Aurora, the “Zarsuela” is an interplay

of drama and dance. Taking three days to complete (although it could be shortened to a
day), the “Zarsuela” performed here is composed of several acts that revolve around the
main theme of Moro-Moro or Moslem-Christian conflict. The “Zarsuela” presents slightly
different variations for the Moro-Moro theme year after year. The roles of princes and
princesses, warriors and laymen for both the Christian and Moslem sides are performed
in dance, while a narrator accompanies the pantomime act. What makes this particular
performance more dramatic is that real knives and bolos are used. Often in the heat of
the presentation, miscalculations result in knife and bolo gashes. Both actors and
actresses participate in this particularly sensitive and dangerous sword-play. Only
beautiful, graceful ladies and handsome men are chosen and trained for the theater.
Indeed, this is a cultural theater that demands talent, beauty, skills and courage from
the actors, and highly skilled and experienced trainers are needed to create this unique
style of “Zarsuela”. 

SUMAN FESTIVAL

Every February Baler celebrates a HAGISAN activity, which features the homemade
suman. This Filipino sticky rice cake delicacy hangs above the main street as its
smokey pandan aroma perfumes the air. Colorful floats with lots of suman hanging from
each crevice parades proudly in the middle of the crowd. Further showing the
importance of agriculture and rice to the masses in undeniable extravagance.
Witnessing these could make one crave suman. Especially for those who happen to be
in the right place at the right time, the suman are available everywhere. Along with the
various flavor of these rice cakes from the rich texture of ube, the bittersweet tango of
chocolate and the fresh taste of plain suman.  Reminding you of home or your
grandmother’s backyard, where as a child you used to devour greedily the sweets and
snacks.  Exclusively made for her favorite apo, even in festivals, the concept of family
remains intact. The suman festival also gives way to farmers and other independent
suman vendors to hype up their market. Also advertising their own wares and boasting
quality ingredients that were used in creating the delicacy.

FOODS