Mabalacat City will showcase its rich culture and heritage during the upcoming 8th Caragan Festival slated on February 17-24 at the Xevera Plaza, in Barangay Tabun.
Caragan was named after an Aeta village chief who lorded it over in what is now Mabalacat City in the past — Haring Garagan. He was married to Laureana Tolentino and believed to have discovered the city.
It was in 2008 when Mayor Marino Morales, Festival Chairman Jun Magbalot and Co-chair Diosdado Pangilinan opted to stage the first Caragan Festival at the Poblacion Court beside the Our Lady of Grace Parish in Barangay Poblacion.
Now on its 8th year, a grander festival highlighting the ‘kulots’, a monicler for native Aetas, and the talents of Mabalaqueǹos will be expected by the locals and tourists from all over the country.
On February 20 at 7:00 p.m. is the “Caragan Got Talent” wherein participating groups from in and outside Mabalacat City will showcase their talents.
On February 21 at 5:00 p.m. is the Inter-Agency Talent Competition.
On February 22 from 8:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m. is the Farmers’ Day wherein some 1,000 participating farmers and rural-based organizations will be hoisting an exhibit of agri-products spearheaded by City Agriculture Officer Lourdes Balatibat.
Another highlight is the annual search for the next ‘Haring Caragan’ that is contested by 13 gentlemen on February 23 at 7:00 p.m.
The hunks vying for the throne are Daniel Psalm Pineda of Barangay Duquit; Francis Albert Reyes and Vince Charles Paredes of Camachiles; Jordan Tongol and Albert Joseph Regala of Madapdap; Arnel David, Ivan Aldrin Gabrentina, Rick John Mallari, Jewel Fritz Balenton and Marjay Dela Cruz of Dau; and Adrian Tuazon and Jowell Ramirez of Mabiga.
Caragan Fest 2017 is incomplete without the traditional free dance competition that will be joined by 30 elementary schools and 16 high schools on February 24 at 2:00 p.m. The participants will also perform a simultaneous mass dance at the Xevera Complex.
On a separate venue, the ‘Linggo ng mga Katutubong Aeta’ will be celebrated at the Clark Parade Grounds.
According to Indigenous Representative Ruvielane Margarito, “Ang mga aktibidad na ito ginawa namin para makilala ang aming kultura at tradisyon at para mapanitili ang mga ito hanggang sa sususnod na henerasyon”.
The set of festivities are ‘Ligligan Pamangawang Hawung’ (house/shelter making) which is a symbol of pamikaka-miha (pagkakaisa) on February 20 from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. Ligligan Pamangalindag or the Aeta Games on February 21-22 from 8:00 to 5:00 p.m. On February 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m is the Leguan Katutubong Aeta or the Miss Katutubong Aeta and on February 24 at 12 noon is the ‘Aldo ng Apung Karagan’ to be held at Xevera Complex.
During the week-long arts and culture festival, a regional bazaar and tiangge will be put up to cater snacks, refreshments, pam-pasalubong delicacies, and souvenirs to the festival goers.
“This year, expect the grandest Caragan in the history of Mabalacat. We will give our full extent na maisama ito sa mga national festivals,” Magbalot said.
Last 2015, Caragan bested 14 other national festivals and placed 5th in the Aliwan Festival held in Pasay City.
For his part, Morales with Vice Mayor Christian Halili and the members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod, vowed to support all the arts and culture programs of the city.