The Filipino Entrepreneur

It was quite an experience but not too exciting because I was just dragged by my wife to watch the Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal. Since I reside near Angono, less than a kilometer we decided to watch it. Yes we enjoyed but the crowd is too many and I can’t get a good place to watch it. And there were people that splashed water to spectators and I was lucky enough that I did not wet too much. Some people can’t take that tradition for example the old woman that I saw who was very angry and cursing guy holding the water gun and with some irresponsible people who threw a pail with water which a poor girl was hit by a pail in the head and then cried. Her mother was not worried too much about her but was angry because the mother’s cellphone got wet!

My cell phone was low batt so I didn’t get the chance to take all the pictures of the Higantes specially those with advertising sash. ( See the pictures below which I have taken during the parade ). I’ve observed that celebration of this festival like this became a part of advertising which businesses like Chowking, SaveMore (SM), Western Union, GSM, Superferry and the rest because the big tarpaulin banners have a sponsor name on it and the Higantes have a sash with the company name on it also.

If you are interested of the details, I found a post by biyahilo from Pinoy Travel Blog. See Below:

The town of Angono in the province of Rizal will once again make us awe in wonder 6ith their giant effigies made of papier mache in its annual Higantes Festival. Higantes is a Spanish term meaning giants.

The town’s fiesta celebrated every November 22-23 in honor of its patron saint, Saint Clement (San Celemente).

During this time the image of Saint Clement is brought of the church for a procession and a fluvial parade at the Laguna de Bay. Aside from the parade of the Higantes, there are also other activities lined up for the occasion like the Brass Band/ Drum and Lyre Parade, and a beauty pageant.

The activities for November 22-23 are as follows:

November 22 -BISPERAS MAYORES and HIGANTES FESTIVAL

8:00AM -Brass Band/ Drum and Lyre Parade National Road
Higantes Festival 2006
Street Dancing

12:00NN -Hot Air Balloon Display St. Clement Parish Church
1:30PM -Brass Band/ Drum and Lyre Parade National Road/ Main Streets
4:00PM -Baton Twirling Competition and Brass Band St. Clement Parish Church
And Drum and Lyre Competition

7:00 PM -National Costume Competition Angono Municipal Hall
MISS YOUNG INTERNATIONAL 2006

8:00PM -Hot Air Balloon Display St. Clement Parish Church
8:30PM-Fireworks Display St. Clement Parish Church
-Serenata ng mga Banda St. Clement Parish Church

November 23 -FEAST OF SAINT CLEMENT/ ANGONO TOWN FIESTA

6:00AM -Concelebrated Mass St. Clement Parish Church
7:30AM -Hot Air Balloon Display St. Clement Parish Church
7:45AM -Procession for Saint Clement (going to the Bay) Main Roads and Streets
Higantes Merrymaking
Parehadoras Procession

12:00NN -Fluvial Parade Laguna de Bay
1:00PM -Procession for Saint Clement (going back to church)
Higantes Merrymaking Main Roads and Streets
Parehadoras Procession