PASALAMAT FESTIVAL EVENTS | 10 Reasons Why It Is One of the Top Festivals

in FESTIVALS, LA CARLOTA CITY, PHILIPPINES, PLACES

Pasalamat Festival Events

PASALAMAT FESTIVAL EVENTS

La Carlota City’s Pasalamat Festival is one of my favorite festivals in Negros Occidental. For many years now, I am always invited to judge in their event like in the painting, doll costume design, and costume design during the street dance competition.

The rich cultural heritage of La Carlota is manifested through the celebration of the Pasalamat Festival events, which are based on the tradition of giving thanks to gods of elements after a bountiful harvest by the ancient of Buglas. The city takes on a festive atmosphere during the weeklong celebration, which culminates with a Mardi Gras like a parade of floats and caricatures.

The festival was first staged on May 1, 1980, after a series of calamities to fall in Negros Occidental, particularly in La Carlota. The fire gutted the commercial district of the city, the Don Juan tragedy, the labor problem that triggered the workers of Central Azucarera de La Carlota to go on strike and eventually paralyzed the sugar company, and some other uncertain conditions prevailing in the early ’80s.

10 PASALAMAT EVENTS | REASONS WHY IT IS ONE OF THE TOP FESTIVALS IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

THE BEAT

One of the distinct features which La Carlota is known for is its drum beaters. The moment you hear their drum beats you can’t help but dance. Conceptualized by the late Mayor Luis “Nonoy” Jalandoni Jr., who himself composed the “Sambita” the original Pasalamat beat.

Pasalamat Festival Events

DANCE STEPS

Very distinct from the Pasalamat Festival are their necessary “Pasalamat” dance steps characterized by the flirtatious movements of the hips. Dancers flirtatiously move to the rhythm created by the drumbeaters using carabao leather drums and percussion instruments made out of indigenous materials.

With my co-judges and La CarlotaCity Staff during the art competition [ Pasalamat Festival Events ]

ARTS COMPETITION (ROLLO Y PINTA, MUNECO VISTUARIO (DOLLS COSTUME DESIGNS COMPETITION, PAINTING CONTEST)

Every year the art competition is held during the celebrations. These artworks are being displayed at the plaza during the duration of the festival.

AGRO TRADE FAIR

This fair showcases the agricultural harvest and produces of La Carlota City.

AWIT –SAYAW CONTEST

A talent search for the la Carlotenos is the await-sayaw contest.

STREET PARTIES

Common during the festival days is the street parties enjoyed by the visitors of the festivals.

NEVER ENDING ACTIVITIES

Pasalamat Festival is loaded with various activities for everyone to enjoy such as Aqua Zumba, night street parties, Mountain Bike Challenge, Battle of the Bands, Dog Show, Sports fest and many more.

Pasalamat Festival Events

COLORFUL COSTUMES INSPIRED BY FLORA AND FAUNA

Very colorful, the dancers wore costumes inspired by flora and fauna abundant in the place. Indigenous materials also accentuate these beautiful costumes.

Pasalamat Festival Events

FESTIVAL QUEEN

Just like in most festivals, La Carlota City also has its queen Festival Queen.

Pasalamat Festival Events

DANCE, FLOAT PARADE, CARICATURES, AND ARENA DANCE COMPETITION

The highlights of the Pasalamat Festival are the grand festival dance which includes a dance parade with floats and caricatures. The participating tribes will finally compete with each other in the arena dance competition which happened at the public plaza of the city.

HOW TO GET THERE:

La Carlota City is geographically located at the southwest portion of central Negros Occidental. It is bounded in the north by the city of Bago; the mountain ranges of Kanlaon Volcano in the east, the town of La Castellana in the southwest; the city of Pontevedra in the south and the city of San Enrique in the west. It can be reached by bus or by jeepneys traveling from Bacolod City.