Saturday, March 23, 2013

The 3rd Pailah Festival of Pila, Laguna (Part 1 of 2)

Pailah Festival is an annual celebration in the heritage town of Pila, Laguna. Now on its third year, the Pailah Festival aims to make Pila, Laguna a tourist attraction and to showcase the livelihood of the town, which is mostly farming and fishing, and the heritage houses.

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Bulilan Sur is one of the 17 barangays that makes up Pila, Laguna.

Pailah is the acronym for Palay (rice grains), Isda (fish), Lilok Antigo (antique crafts) and Halaman (plants). Pailah also appeared in an ancient artifact called the Laguna Copperplate Inscription and historians believe that it refers to the town.

The 3rd Pailah Festival was held from March 21-22, 2013 and I only attended Day 2 of the festivities. It’s a fine Friday morning when we arrived at Pila, Laguna. The first activity of Day 2 was the parade and street dancing competition. It was followed by a salo-salo (lunch) of rice, pork and beef in the town plaza by everyone present. It was the first time I’ve attended a lunch for the entire townspeople.

We were also entertained by a group of Rondalia performers playing such songs as “Bakya Mo Neneng” and “Pusong Bato”. Pila Mayor Edgardo “Egay” A. Ramos was there to deliver the annual report/accomplishments of the municipal government. They even released a 60-pages “Ulat ng Punongbayan” magazine to highlight the activities in the town of Pila, Laguna.

Here are some of the pictures of the street dancing competition on the morning of the 3rd Pailah Festival in Pila, Laguna. All the 17 barangays that makes up the town of Pila were represented in this competition.

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The jars and other handicrafts are the “LA” in PAILAH, which means “Lilok Antigo”.

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The winners of the Ms. Pila Laguna competition. I like the guy in red.

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Boys with bamboo poles.

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“Pila, Laguna, Bayang Pinagpala” – that’s what they’re chanting.

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For a moment, I thought I was at the Panagbenga. I realized I’m at Pila, Laguna.

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Nganga! He made quite a performance during the 3rd Pailah Festival. He’ll be a great dancer soon!

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Bilao (tray) painted with colorful flowers.

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Salakot (local hat) boys.

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The fishermen.

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The boy is very happy to perform.

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Plastic bags, feathers, plastic straws – these are some of the most common materials in their costumes.

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Their costumes have tansan (bottle-cover). Most of the costumes are made of reusable materials.

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The gorgeous Lakan and Binibini of Pila, Laguna. I find the guy in gray shirt with green sash as the most handsome of the 4 title holders.

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Jester-inspired costume

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The performers are taking a break while waiting for the afternoon competition.

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