After a solemn Holy Week, a joyous Easter at Pampanga’s Sabuaga Festival

After a solemn Holy Week of bload-soaked flagellants, crucified penitents and sonorous pasyon readings, Pampanga celebrated Easter with a happy and colorful parade on Sunday at the Sabuaga Festival in Sto. Tomas.

The Sabuaga Festival—the word means "to scatter flowers"—is a celebration of the resurrection of Christ and a thanksgiving for a bountiful life by the seven barrios that comprise the town. This year, 60 participating groups from the barrios went by the theme, "Uluan ing Kakaluluan, Pasulungnan ing Kabyayan" ("Heal Poverty and Push for A Bountiful Life").

The festival is also a competition; the participants; choreography and production design are judged. "The Sabuaga Festival is all about tradition, a colorful and meaningful reason for homecoming to all Tomasians, a heartwarming and beautiful celebration for any outsider, " said Mich Aguilar Ong, one of the judges.



 

 

 
According to Sto. Tomas chief tourism officer Tin Yap Torres, the festival was originally called "salubong," and flowers would be scattered in front of the households during the procession.

"It developed into something bigger and better that is more festive since it's a collaboration of all the barrios through the street dancing competition," she said.

According to Torres, each barrio's design represented a specific industry that can be found in Sto. Tomas, such as pottery, coffin-making and auto body works—all industries that employ the townspeople. This year, the local government allotted P400,000 as subsidy, divided amonog the seven barrios, for the festival.

Torres added that this year's event was attended by about 8,000 spectators from all over. — BM, GMA News