Melo Villareal
Baragatan Festival 2022 Experience
Palawan is one of the most recognized island destinations in the Philippines, renowned for its white sand beaches, secluded lagoons, towering cliffs, and exciting island-hopping adventures. Some of the island’s most popular attractions are the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan Butterfly Ecological Garden and Tribal Village, Seven Commandos Beach, and Calauit Safari Park. Every summer, local and international tourists visit the island to see the unspoiled beauty of the paradisal destination. Aside from the popular attractions in Palawan, one event draws tourists: Baragatan sa Palawan Festival.
Baragatan sa Palawan Festival is a month-long celebration of Palawan’s rich culture and heritage, gathering folks and emphasizing what the island has to offer, from bountiful crops to delectable local delicacies. The festival’s name stems from the local term “bagat” which means “to converge.” During the month-long festival, residents from different municipalities participate in the Mutya ng Palawan, Garden Show, Painting Competition, Float Parade, Trade Fair, Dance Parade, and a Street Dancing Competition, among other games and activities. The festival is celebrated every year two weeks before honoring Palawan’s Foundation Day, a celebration of the founding of the Civil Government of Palawan.
With the theme “Baragatan sa bagong Palawan ngayon-moderno, progresibo at kilala sa buong mundo: Legasiya ng tapat, mahusay at epektibong paglilingkod sa mga Palaweo ng administrasyon ni Gov. Jose Chavez Alvarez,” the festival was a colorful and extravagant occasion.
Saraotan sa Dalan 2022
Saraotan sa Dalan is a street dancing competition that features the culture of the municipalities of Kalayaan, San Vicente, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Brooke’s Point, El Nido, Magsaysay and Quezon, and to highlight Palaweño culture and intercultural convergence. The street dancing competition starts from Mendoza Park to Corazon Aquino Park and ends at the Provincial Capitol Compound for the final event.
The performers at the Saraotan sa Dalan 2022 were dressed in vibrant colors as they enthusiastically danced to the loud and festive music, showing off the culture and art of their municipalities. The Saraotan sa Dalan 2022 was also a different competition where the cash prizes ranged from PHP100,000 to PHP1,000,000. It was a definite first for the organizers of the Baragatan Festival.
Baragatan Trade Fair
Barakalan sa Baragatan is a major event of the Baragatan Festival. Barakalan, which means “market fair,” boasts the abundance of Palawan’s harvests, local goods, and delicacies. The trade fair offers various goods and products from micro and macro-entrepreneurs of the seven featured municipalities. Some of the promoted goods include agricultural and aquacultural products like balelet, dried seafood, and honey, local delicacies like boti-boti, kombo and tirik, and handwoven products like bags and wallets.
After two years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, we can now take delight in out-of-town vacations. One of the best ways to enjoy this opportunity to travel is by visiting popular tourist destinations and attending local festivities. Colorful celebrations, like the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival, share with visitors and the rest of the world the pride of the Philippines. So add Palawan to your travel bucket list and be part of the Baragatan sa Palawan Festival.
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