TIM eMagazine Vol.4 Issue 2
Credit: Teddy Pelaez
government is currently giving many incentives to farmers such as free
fertilizer and seedlings, and other forms of assistance.
Moreover, Ochoa-Montejo is bullish in promotes Pulilan as a business-
friendly town open to trade and investment. The recent developments
contributed to the town’s status of being first-class with a P450 million
annual budget. She is also optimistic that farming and the carabao will be
always be part of Pulilan. “Marami pa ring nagmamahal sa kalabaw at sa
kanyang bukirin (Many still love the carabao and the farmlands).
“Not to mention, the Kneeling Carabao Festival is one of my flagship
products that will put Pulilan on the tourism map of the Philippines. To
make it a major tourist attraction, we have allocated about P10 million for
the event this year. This is also part of the rich heritage of Pulilan that we
are so proud of, with a long history here.” she graciously noted.
This year’s event was reset to May 6 and incorporated all the necessaries
that made it a festival: shows, contests, socials and, of course, the street
dancing parade and showdown. The local government sought the help of
event/festival organizer, manager and consultant Nilo Agustin. This year,
the slogan of the festival was Lakas ng Pulilan (Power of Pulilan).
The biggest surprise amidst those dismal perceptions was—lo and
behold—1,000 carabaos participated in this year’s event! This was much
more than last year’s figure of 800; also joining in the spirit of fun, revelry,
devotion and thanksgiving were carabaos that came from Calumpit,
Plaridel and Baliuag in Laguna; from Arayat in Pampanga; and from even
as far as Nueva Ecija. This year’s parade included a first like a kariton (cart)
Credit: Teddy Pelaez
Moreover, Ochoa-Montejo is bullish in
promotes Pulilan as a business-friendly
town open to trade and investment.
The recent developments contributed
to the town’s status of being first-class
with a P450 million annual budget.
She is also optimistic that farming and
the carabao will be always be part of
Pulilan. “Marami pa ring nagmamahal
sa kalabaw at sa kanyang bukirin
(Many still love the carabao and the
farmlands).
Credit: Teddy Pelaez
contest, participated in by the town’s 19 barangays, where these
individually and dazzingly decorated carabao-pulled karitons looked like
floats and reflected each of the different barangays through their unique
designs.
Then there was a street dancing contest, which, of this year, had more
polish and a touch of professionalism as participants (who represented
the different elementary and high schools in Pulilan) underwent
three months of workshop to be able to craft their own concepts and
choreography. For the festival dance, steps were created with the help
of veteran dancers and choreographers Nonoy Froiland and Edna Vida.
The movements were inspired by the motions of the carabaos and
farming, and the close relationship between the animals and the farmers,
explained Agustin.
While newer components were added to revitalize the event and to
make it much more competitive for changing socio-economic, cultural
and touristic trends, it is still nice to know that the Kneeling Carabao
festival is here to stay. After all, there is the still magic and mystique
generated by rural traditions that serve as natural attractions; these
are tempered by ages-old beliefs honouring living legacies such as the
carabao that also aid in bringing us a good, bountiful harvest, and good
fortune. Indeed, San Isidro Labrador must be smiling to all of us—as
well as the townsfolks of Pulilan—that his legacy is still very much alive.
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