Kanidugan Festival

I am now living here in Manila for more that five years now, and in every single year, I make sure to visit my home town in Odiongan, Romblon.

One of the most awaited and special day of our town is our very own annual festival.  This festival is dedicated only for all the Odionganons.

Kanidugan Festival (Coconut Festival which derived from a word “Nidog” or Niyog in Filipino or Coconut in English) it’s an annual festival celebrated in every month of April, foundation day of Odiongan and to honour Saint Vincent Ferrer (the patron saint of Odiongan, Romblon.) 

The Municipality of Odiongan, celebrates this special day in the whole week, started by a Biniray (fluvial parade) in Brgy. Tabin-Dagat on the first day; PASAGUDAR (dancing and party all night) on the second day; the civic affairs celebrates Miss Agency on the third day; Miss Odiongan Coronation Night is holding every fourth day of the week; then followed by Kanidugan Festival street dancing competition on the fifth day and on the sixth day is the entertaining boxing game including the local’s famous “GayBoxing Event,” and on the last day of the week will be the most anticipated “Miss Odiongan Rose” or the Miss Gay Pageant which makes the town plaza super crowded.

HOW TO GET HERE:

Tablas Airport is the gateway to the province by plane. Airphil Express and Sea Air have a regular fly from Manila to the airport located in the Municipality of Alcantara, Romblon.   From there, as part of the services offered by the Airport, they put a van going to Odiongan.  Travel time would be less than 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Batiano Port is also the gateway to Odiongan.  From Manila: any Provincial Bus Stations going to Batangas Port, Batangas City, go to Terminal 3.  In Terminal 3, you can see various ticketing outlets, and in every window, there is a location displayed, so just select the correct one.  I suggest you take Montenegro Lines; they have schedules every 4PM every day.  Travel time would be 8 to 10 hours.  When you reach the port, just go to the gate and then take tricycle (just tell the driver to bring you to any resorts nearby.)  Drivers are hospitable too, they will take you to the best resort.

 

WHERE TO STAY:

In Odiongan, you can enjoy everything; you just need to leave your problems in your workplace.  Since Odiongan is now starting its tourism campaign, business sectors focus on how to entertain tourists.  As such, they now building a unique and elegant Hotel located near the gate of Batiano Port, along the shore of Poctoy are the low budget Resorts but they offer universal services, and the Rencious Resort located in Brgy. Liwanag is one of the top picks.