Southern Leyte Ignites: Celebrating the Pagmuna Festival of Festivals 2024

On June 22, 2024, Southern Leyteños from different municipalities in the province of Southern Leyte showcased their vibrant color in displaying their culture and tradition. Exhibiting their flamboyant charms and uniqueness as festival dancers sophisticatedly performed in the streets of Maasin City. The word "Pagmugna,” with its English translation, "creation,” encapsulates the spirit and trademark of every festival that is exceptionally celebrated in different municipalities in the province. The vivid and radiant costumes illuminate a tapestry of traditions that unfolds camaraderie and communal unity, or "bayanihan,” that has been passed down for generations. From the rhythmic beats of traditional music to the jaw-dropping sway of dancers, the festival is a sensory feast. It offers a platform for local artists, craftsmen, and performers to showcase their talents, blending age-old traditions with contemporary expressions.

The Pagmuna Festival of Festivals highlights seventeen (17) festivals celebrated in their respective municipalities. Each festival is prevalent with a diverse culture that has been preserved and celebrated to value heritage, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the province's history and traditions. 

The Municipality of Hinunangan celebrates the “Hononganan Festival."  The word “hononganan” becomes a popular byword for the locals as the municipality becomes a prevalent stopping place or link that dates back centuries. The festival becomes an epitome in honoring the town’s traditions and commemorating significant milestones. 

“Cabalian Festival,” which is observed in the Municipality of San Juan, also has a rich and exceptional history. The name “cabalian” originated from the word "gikabalian,” which unfolds the story of Magellan and his crew endeavoring to dock to shore as their vessel required immediate repair due to damage from the storm. Inquisitive natives gathered at the shore, noticing the damage from the vessel, and shouted, “gikabalian!”, Magellan and his crew mistakenly interpreted it as the name of the place. 

The Municipality of Macrohon celebrates the “Manhaon Festival” as the municipality's cultural and historical festival. The name originated from the word "mang-haon" which means "to remove cooked food", from the word "haon" which means "to pick up pots after cooking something". 

The “Murcielago Festival” serves as an allegory to highlight Silago's natural attractions and cultural identity. The festival is named after the Spanish word for "bat." It pays homage to the large colonies of bats found in the caves around Silago.

Over the years, the “Handayanan Festival” has evolved into a major event in Hinundayan and is marked by a variety of activities that showcase the town's cultural heritage. The term "Handayanan" is derived from the local dialect, signifying hospitality and communal unity, which are intrinsic concepts of the festival. Hinundayan, known for its warm and welcoming residents, embodies these values, and the “Handayanan Festival” is a manifestation of this cultural trait.

The “Gilak-Gilak Festival,” which originated in the municipality of San Ricardo, reflects the locals’ zest to transcend and their meaningful association with their rich and diverse culture. The term "Gilak-Gilak" is derived from the local dialect, referring to the energetic and bodacious movements that illustrate the festival's dances and celebrations. It is such a momentous occasion that not only honors the past but also inspires hope for the people of San Ricardo to transcend for the future.

“Sakadawan Festival” is a celebration that climaxes the Municipality of Anahawan’s flourishing agriculture and marine resources. A contraction of “Saka ug Dagat sa Anahawan,” the term originated with the farmers and fisher folks of the municipality. The festival itself elucidates the importance of agriculture, specifically in the upland part of the municipality. It also stresses the fundamental essence of fishing in the municipality, as it has become one of the pillars of the livelihood of the community.

The only city hailing from the Province of Southern Leyte is the City of Maasin, which celebrates the Ajonay Festival. The typical way of life in Maasin is fundamentally "ajonay,” as it resonates with the core values of the Maasinhons. The term “ajonay” originates from a local dialect, which means a call for communal unity, which affirms the steadiness of unison among Maasinhon in fostering harmony and doing it the “ajonay way.”

This year’s grand champion for the Pagmugna Festival of Festivals 2024 is the “Paujog Festival,” which is celebrated all the way in the in the prospering municipality of Tomas Oppus. “Paujug” is a way of life of fisher folks and farmers in the municipality, as it coincides with how the town folks express the byword as a countenance of happiness and thanksgiving for all kinds of blessings received.

These are among the flourishing and flamboyant festivals celebrated and have been observed for generations in the Province of Southern Leyte. Like many cultural festivals in the Philippines, the Pagmugna Festival of Festivals promotes the preservation of cultural heritage in every municipality. Targeting the youth by emphasizing their participation will help them gain a deeper comprehension of their cultural heritage, build strong community bonds, and develop valuable life skills. The essence of the festival for the youth lies in its ability to connect the past with the present, ensuring the continuity of the momentum and vitality of the cultural identity of the Southern Leyteños.

(via and Photos by Amjed Paul Tabotabo | Pulse)

(Graphics by Elaine Mae Acdal | Pulse)