Karabaw Festival – A festival which pay tribute to the draft animal that helps people till their farms and provides milk for Gandara’s local white cheese delicacy called “Keseo”.
Story and Photos By GED JARO
(Originally uploaded in the writer's blog: https://dulhogkit.wordpress.com
The festival itself has proven a lot in terms of creativity and uniqueness. In fact, it has already won 7 times in the Samar Day Celebration observed every August 11 where all municipality in Samar gather at the provincial capitol in Catbalogan City to perform and compete.
Alongside with the celebration are Alimango Festival of Sta. Margarita; Mayaw-mayaw of Pinabacdao; Noos of Marabut, etc.
As a Gandaranhon, I am proud to say that our Karabaw Festival is the only undefeated festival in Samar province.
I was a member of said festival since the year 2000. I was one of the “talabong” dancers (white bird). The whole experience was amazing because you get to bond with a lot of people and at the same time show your talent to the people of Samar.
The whole town of Gandara will always be thankful to our choreographer, (the late) ERIC SALURIO, who really set the legacy of where Karabaw Festival is right now.
Story and Photos By GED JARO
(Originally uploaded in the writer's blog: https://dulhogkit.wordpress.com
The festival itself has proven a lot in terms of creativity and uniqueness. In fact, it has already won 7 times in the Samar Day Celebration observed every August 11 where all municipality in Samar gather at the provincial capitol in Catbalogan City to perform and compete.
Alongside with the celebration are Alimango Festival of Sta. Margarita; Mayaw-mayaw of Pinabacdao; Noos of Marabut, etc.
As a Gandaranhon, I am proud to say that our Karabaw Festival is the only undefeated festival in Samar province.
I was a member of said festival since the year 2000. I was one of the “talabong” dancers (white bird). The whole experience was amazing because you get to bond with a lot of people and at the same time show your talent to the people of Samar.
The whole town of Gandara will always be thankful to our choreographer, (the late) ERIC SALURIO, who really set the legacy of where Karabaw Festival is right now.
My last performance was in Intramuros, Manila. We were tapped by the provincial government to represent Samar in terms of festival. So we were in Manila last September 2003 to perform in WOW PHILIPPINES.
After several years of hiatus, our Municipal Councilor, Mike Ricalde, in cooperation with his staff (Menard Uy, Junjun Cabueños) and Choreographer Christian Guantic planned to have a comeback.
So, they planned everything and recruited local dancers to be part of Karabaw Festival. They conceptualized this for the celebration of the annual fiesta of Gandara which is always celebrated on September 20-29 - the longest fiesta celebration in the whole Philippines, I guess.
Their performance was last September 28. They had a street dancing and a ten-minute (10-minute) exhibition at the Gandara Cultural Center. With their colorful costumes, rythym, upbeat music and synchronized dancing. All of it was perfect.
After several years of hiatus, our Municipal Councilor, Mike Ricalde, in cooperation with his staff (Menard Uy, Junjun Cabueños) and Choreographer Christian Guantic planned to have a comeback.
So, they planned everything and recruited local dancers to be part of Karabaw Festival. They conceptualized this for the celebration of the annual fiesta of Gandara which is always celebrated on September 20-29 - the longest fiesta celebration in the whole Philippines, I guess.
Their performance was last September 28. They had a street dancing and a ten-minute (10-minute) exhibition at the Gandara Cultural Center. With their colorful costumes, rythym, upbeat music and synchronized dancing. All of it was perfect.
For a video of the Karabaw Festival performance, please follow the link
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THE CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Festival Queen with Ungaho and Menga:
THE CAST OF CHARACTERS:
Festival Queen with Ungaho and Menga:
Hadang and Talabong:
Warriors, Town’s People and the Karabaws
