By Jude Tenorio
This month of September, the country is celebrating the Philippine Bamboo Month to help raise awareness about the importance of bamboo and the need to preserve them.
Here are some festivals dedicated to bamboo:
1. Mango-Bamboo Festival
The Mango-Bamboo is a week-long festival celebrated in San Carlos City Pangasinan every April 20 to 29.
The festival is done to increase job opportunities for locals as well as to increase the visibility of their products, including sweet carabao mangoes and bamboo products, such as bahay kubo.
2. Abrenian Kawayan Festival
Celebrated in the province of Abra, the Abrenian Kawayan Festival starts every March 9 and lasts for five days.
The festival was first developed by Arya Abra to celebrate the anniversary of the province.
3. Kawayan Festival of Maragondon
Taking place every Sept. 7 in Maragondon, Cavite, the festival features street dances wearing costumes made of local materials and colorful outfits while highlighting bamboo products.
4. Fun Kawayan Festival of Alegria
Held annually every Dec. 2 to 3, Fun Kawayan Festival of Algeria in Cebu features bamboo-inspired costumes, as well as street dance competitions.
The festival is celebrated simultaneously with the anniversary of the town’s patron, St. Francis.
5. Kawayan Festival of Magdalena
The first Kawayan Festival of Magdalena in Laguna was first conducted in connection with the town’s founding anniversary. – gb