Higantes Festival 2012

Higantes Festival is an annual festivities in Angono, Rizal - the Arts Capital of the Philippines. The purpose of this huge event is to thank St. Clement - the patron saint of the fishermen of Angono.  This year, I am so happy that I was able to witness and was able to experience what's Angono can offer.

Waking up early for this day is also a challenge, after the late sleep last night, I need to wake up early just for this big event.  Take note, this is my first time to attend this Festival.  Before I keeps on seeing this on tv and travel magazines, so now, excitement and amazement were in my eyes.

I've attended a lot of Festivals, but this is the first time that I went home with wet clothes on my body.  Good thing that there was an electric fan in the restaurant, it served as our drier.  I can't forget  those children who first threw us a bucket of water.  And they said: " that's how we celebrate our festival " so that's it, we accepted the fact that it's really a part of their culture.

This Christmas, I will be going to buy a waterproof camera, this is for my preparation for some Festivals next year including this Higantes Festival.  I am not afraid taking pictures even they are playing with water. . . using that kind of camera - good thing, they are not playing with fire. . it's a different thing, right? But, the whole day . . really amazing. . . Thanks Angono!

Early in the morning, the children started to form their own line. 

Beside the St. Clement Church is the Photo and Art Exhibit.  The Gallery that created by the local artists of Angono;  local artists, but world class talent. 

The photos below were taken after the mass. During the final rehearsal and before the start of the street parade.  The costume, the performance and the make up of each of the performers were so stunning. The children know how to pose and to smize to each photographers. 

These little lady captured my attention, because of her gorgeous head dress plus the fact the she's really cute.  We've talked to her mom for few minutes, and for limited time, I knew that they are so kind to us.  But, until right now, I am still thinking if she's a member of the royal family in London.

This is real, they are not under the sea, they look like mermaids because of the head dress.  Angono people are really talented in the field of arts. 

So, after the mass and picture taking in the compound, we decided to take a walk along the street.  And there, we saw the people bringing their own water bucket, water containers, balloons with water inside and anything that has water inside.  Spilling of water is part of this event because St. Clement is the patron saint of the fishermen.  So that's it!  The photos below were taken along the street near the church.

The Higantes or the Giants played a great part in these annual Festivities.  As part of it, some of the houses created their own Higantes and put it in their balcony and gate.

Since we were afraid to take a bath for more than 10 times because it's part of their culture.  We had a long walk going to the Pagoda.  The pagoda will be the end of the fluvial parade, but wait we don't want to wait for 4 hours in this place, so we walked again going to the plaza and here's what we've seen while walking.

Since Angono, Rizal is the house of the artist, they prove it.  They created an artworks in many street walls in many areas.  Like this photo below:

The photo below was taken at the front of the Angono Public Plaza.  Taken before the start of the street parade.  Loot at those gorgeousand colorful banderitas, we've met thousands of people in that single day.

Oooppsss . . it's not part of Halloween special party, it's the little giants, they are actually smaller compared the other giants.  But, they looks like different compared to the larger Higantes.

Higantes are not the only center of attraction during the parade.  Here's the Taong Putik or person with mud on his skin.  Now, I am thinking if where's that mud came from, am just curious . . .

After that tiring and amazing day, it's time to fill in our empty stomach by the unique restaurant found in Angono - the Balaw-Balaw.

So, after the amazing experience with the people of Angono in Higantes Festival 2012, Mae and Me felt that our stomach need a new flavor, not just eating the same taste everyday.  Today, it's time for a unique food from Balaw-Balaw Restaurant.  For more photos, click here: Balaw-Balaw Restaurant