Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival Photoblog

It was my last day in Tacloban City when I had the opportunity to witness the street parade of Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals 2016. Pintados and Kasadyaan were formerly two separate festivals but was later merged. The former one, Pintados, means “painted people” where it’s a cultural-religious celebration based on the body-painting traditions of the ancient tattooed "pintados" warriors. Kasadyaan that means “merriment” in English, was exclusively held on June 29. Still, the organizers and the provincial government hold this in honor of Sr. Santo Niño, where provincial towns can participate to celebrate life, culture and take pride of their town’s origins and products as well. The festival’s activities now spans the whole month of June.

I woke up at 7am to walk the city streets from my hotel to the Leyte Sports Development Center for the participants’ staging area. They were preparing for their colorful costumes and floats before they pass the major arteries of Tacloban downtown. I took a picture of this map from road ranger as my reference.

Please see below the ten contingents who participated in this year’s festival:

1. Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte

2. Tulo-Usa Festival of Tolosa, Leyte

3. Sanggutan Festival of Barugo, Leyte

 

4. Manaragat Festival of Tribu Katbalaugan of Catbalogan City, Samar

5. Tribu Siete-Quatro of Barangay 74 Nulatula

6. Tribu Mangirisda

7. Tribu Mananguete

8. Banigan Tribe

There are sponsored floats and pageant candidates who joined the parade. They gave away snacks, biscuits and even canned goods to parade watchers. I got Rebisco biscuits and Gardenia bread while awaiting them.

Before I get back to GV Hotel, I went to a shirt printing stall to have a Pintados souvenir tee. As much as possible, I buy from the locals as my little way of supporting tourism in the area.

I was not able to watch closely the performances in the athletic oval, but I’m happy to witness such momentous cultural event that happens only once a year. It’s more fun in the Philippines indeed. Maupay nga Patron!

Selfie with street dancers! :)

Visita Iglesia in Leyte Island and Samar

Coat of arms Archdiocese of Palo
Archidioecesis Palensis (Latin)
Arkidiyosesis han Palo (Waray)
Arkidiyosesis sa Palo (Cebuano)

The Ecclesiastical Province of Roman
 Catholic Archdiocese of Palo 

The Archdiocese of Palo has jurisdiction in the provinces of Eastern Visayas except Southern Leyte (which is under the Archdiocese of Cebu).

Historically, Limasawa island in Southern Leyte claims that “First Catholic Mass in the Philippines” happened here on Eastern Sunday of March 31, 1521. Hence, the island town of Limasawa is dubbed as the “birthplace of Roman Catholicism in the Philippines”.

If you ever visit Leyte and Samar islands, don’t forget to visit some of our heritage churches located here:

1. Santo Niño Parish

The flagship Catholic church of Tacloban City that houses the most revered patron of Eastern Visayas: Holy Child Jesus or know as Santo Niño. The structure was recently renovated as it was damaged by Typhoon Yolanda last 2013. People flock to this white church the time when I visited as the feast is held every June 30.

2. Cathedral of Our Lord's Transfiguration Parish

Leyte’s metropolitan cathedral is the seat of Archdiocese of Palo, covering the Roman Catholic Churches within Eastern Visayas. It was also renovated thanks to various donors who contributed in making the whole complex a marvelous art. Notable is the twin towers seen at its façade. At the southern wing, you can visit the mass grave of Yolanda victims turned into a memorial garden. The overall building has as European gothic feel.

3. Immaculate Concepcion Parish

This church by the bay has an old façade made of coral stones but heavily renovated inside. You can see nearby capiz-windowed houses located at poblacion of Baybay City, attesting the colonial feel when the church was constructed in 1852.

4. Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion Parish

The stone church of Hilongos has a newly-built façade but hidden at its west wing is the old façade turned to transept. It was partly damaged during past war so you can see ruins evident on its sides and the perimeter that looks like a wall of a large fort.

5. Saint Joseph Parish

The church of Matalom is located a few meters from the national highway. The turquoise bell tower accentuates the old façade with a curved pediment. The interior has walls with stones unpainted and pulpit in the eastern part preserved.

6. Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral

One of the best preserved cathedrals in Visayas, Maasin City is the seat of the diocese administering the Catholic churches within Southern Leyte. It is a suffragan of Archdiocese of Cebu. The old façade complements with the beautiful painted ceilings with murals showing the Risen Christ and the Holy Eucharist. The dome ceiling has a striking painting of eleven apostles’ symbols.    

7. Saint Bartholomew the Apostle Church

The main church of Samar province in Catbalogan City, which was established in 1616, was destroyed during the past world war. Hence, an all-new structure was erected with circular glass window and three altars.

8. Saint Michael the Archangel Church

This town opposite of Tacloban City in Leyte, has a church built on top of the hill. Basey in Samar has its stone structure still intact as well as the interior where an old retablo stand under a mural on the ceiling with Saint Michael the Archangel in the centerpiece and saints on the sides. The stunning glass windows feature our beloved Filipino Saints Pedro Calungsod and Lorenzo Ruiz.

Hoping when I get back to Eastern Visayas someday, I would be able to visit other churches within the metropolitan see. Have a blessed trip everyone!