The month of February comes reeling in, many refer to this as the month of hearts, where love is in the air and cupid is at work, but one city in particular has another celebration. Long before the pandemic on February 11, the City of Iriga celebrates what is known as the Tinagba Festival.

Originally, this was celebrated to give thanks to a bountiful harvest, Irigueños offer crops and fruits to their gods as a way to give thanks and bring in more blessings for the next harvests, and today the event is now also being celebrated by offering a mass to the city’s patron Saint, Our Lady of Lourdes in which its image is situated in the historical place of worship called the Grotto.

Although times have changed and the celebration does not revolve only around the offerings, it has now included a wide variety of activities much like many other Filipino festivals. The most well-known of which is the parade around the city, participated by the different government and non-government agencies of Iriga City.

The parade features street dancers, marching bands, carts filled with the harvest drawn by carabaos and grandly decorated floats in which the most beautiful and creative one will receive awards from the city government. Aside from the tradition of offering the first harvest, the government also aims to promote eco-tourism by presenting their prides and originalities in the festival celebration.

Tinagba festival really brings colour to our ever joyous city. It was indeed a celebration that suited the Irigueños for their faith in God, it shows us that no matter what struggles we’ve been through or may encounter in the future, we are reminded that God always fulfills his promise to the Iriguenos, and that is the provider of all the blessings we have, and although this year we are hindered by the pandemic, it will not stop the spirit of the Irigueños.

Happy Tinagba Festival!

Artwork by: Jascyl Jee Sayson