My Iloilo

When: October 30 (evening)

Where: Pavia, Iloilo, Philippines

This festival is the ONLY FESTIVAL OF ITS KIND in the province of Iloilo celebrated in consonance with All Souls’ Day. The term “TIGKARALAG” comes from Ilonggo words, “tig” which means “season of” and “kalag” which means”soul”. Participated in by the barangays of the municipality.

The festival starts with a parade  from Brgy. Aganan to the town’s plaza for a dance-drama competition with a storyline reflective of Tigkaralag.

2009, I had the privileged to cover the event. When I arrived at the Plaza, there are a lot of people waiting for the competition to start.

First, a banner competition. Each competing Barangay, designs a spooky banner for this competition.

Second, a costume competition. This time, the competing Barangay will submit their spookiest costume.

Lastly, a dance competition. An interpretative dance for that matter. As each performance tells a story.

More pictures from 2009:

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

Here’s a video of the winning candidate 2009:

Video and Info comes from JP Peñol, currently Pavia SB Member.

I will keep on coming back to Pavia to witness this festival.

Ang tawo nga palasumbong, malain sing tagiposo-on.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang taong palasumbong, may masamang balak.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A person who always looks for someone to tell on, have a bad motive.

Kung magpati ka singsudyot, wala sing binubuot.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang naniniwala sa sabi-sabi, walang bait na sarili.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

The one who always believes  in what others say, does not self righteous.

Ang tao nga butigon, dili gid pagpatihon.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang taong sinungaling, di pagkatiwalaan.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A liar should not be trusted.

Ang mga kutso-kutso, alonga-ug ang ulo.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang taong tsismoso, sira ulo.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A person who gossips, are crazy.

Ang suba nga magahug manabawi, ang malinong madulum.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ilog na maingay ay mababaw, ang tahimik ay malalim.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A noisy river is a shallow one, while the quiet one is deep.

Nalagyo sa kalaha, tumupa sa baga.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Umiwas sa baga, sa apoy napunta.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

Avoiding a glowing coal, brings fire.

Bisan wala sing tinun-an, kon may pinanilagan.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Paaralan ay di kailangan, para ang tao ay matawag na may pinag-aralan.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

A school is not needed, for a person to be called educated.

Sobra nga dali, makadto sa makuri.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang labis na pagmamadali, nagbubunga ng pagkakamali.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

If things are done hurriedly, mistakes are surely to take place.

Ang mahakug, madali madunlan.

TAGALOG TRANSLATION:

Ang matakaw ay madaling mabulunan.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION:

The one who steals, easily chokes.