MANGGAHAN SA GUIMARAS FESTIVAL – (1992) – An identify festival commemorating the provincehood anniversary of Guimaras every 22nd day of May. Varied activitivities are being showcased depicting the cultural heritage of the province with emphasis on the promotion of Guimaras as a “mango country”. Spread over a weeklong schedule, Manggahan culminate in a grand showcase of all the municipal festival in a bid show the world that there is more to Guimaras than its sweet, fiber and pest-free mangoes.

ANG PAGTALTAL sa JORDAN, PROVINCE OF GUIMARAS- (1975)- A Lenten presentation stage by the towns people of Jordan pattered to Oberammergau in South Bavaria, Germany. The final act of play when Jesus was taken off from the cross and laid on his mother’s lap. Backed up by a strong Christian community, Jordan has registered its first festival in Pagtaltal sa Jordan, Guimaras a Good Friday spectacle. This saga of the sufferings of Christ is enacted with intense spirituality, religious realism theatrical color and mass appeal that outclass other presentation os similar flavor. The ever increasing throng of spectator, both local and foreign, who brave the summer heat to witness Pagtaltal is a proof of its popularity. Pagtaltal should be in eveyone’s Holy week schedule.

MUNICIPAL

KINARADTO FESTIVAL- celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January by the municipality of Buenavista. This cultural festival makes maximum use of the rich cultural tradition of the oldest municipality of the province. The presentation of songs, dances and musical tableau depicts the various influences Buenavista has been subjected to. Celebrated in honor oof the town’s Patron Saint Sr. Sto. Niño, Kinaradto promises the participant loads for unforgettable positive experiences.

BULANTIHAN FESTIVAL – celebrated every last Friday of January by the municipality of Jordan. The three major source of income of the people of Jordan are farming, fishing and mango production. The products are brought in the market for “bulante” (trade). Primarily a celebration of the economic endeavor that made Jordan what is it today. Bulantihan also pays tribute to the skillful artisans and the enduring workers in an endearing characterization thru dance drama.

BALSAHAN FESTIVAL – celebrated every 20th of February by the municipality of Sibunag’s way of immortalizing the mystical Sibunag River which makes its way thru most of the town’s barangays. A major geographical feature of the town’s barangays. The river holds many interesting myths and legends that are sure to tickle one’s imagination ,and whet one’s appetite to unravel its secrets. Use of the Balsa in your trek for some satisfying discoveries you will pleasantly rewarded

ASINAN FESTIVAL – celebrated every 19th day of Febrauary by the municipality of San Lorenzo. Marvel at how the ordinary salt has gravitated the people of the community in an annual gathering with all the delicious trimmings of specialty products. Not everything in the Asinan Festival is salty though, as there are the spicy seafoods, the juicy citrus and crispy nuts. With the proper blend of the unique hospitality and the natural smiles of the people and one will hunger for more of the Asinan spectacle.

KAROSAHAN FESTIVAL – celabrated every 25th day of April by the municipality of Nueva Valaencia. The karosa is a local invention that has helped shaped the agri-based economy of the municipality. Made mostly of a bamboo and pulled by the beast of burden, the karosa has transported many products from the farm to the cente of population. Before it gets relegated to the history books as things of the past, the karosa has been transformed centeries of the celebration, complete with colorful and ingenious display of the bounties of the land. This is the Karosahan, a proud tradition where beautiful maidens with the gaily-decorated karosas with their load of goodies.

BARANGAY

LAYAG FESTIVAL – ( Every 1st week of May) Hoskyn, Jordan, Guimaras

Barangay Hoskyn is a coastal area facing Iloilo City. It is located southwest of the Municipality of Jordan, popularly known as “Sanao”. For the past few years riding in ‘ Layag de Bela” or “Paraw” is the only means of transportation. To commemorate and to preserve the house of “ Layag”, the Barangay organized “Layag Festival”. Various activities were implemented by the people of feel the spirit of the festivity such as Paraw Regata, mini Paraw Regata, Pinta de Layag, Street dancing and the highlights of the festivity is the coronation of “Layag Queen”. “Layag Festival” is celebrated every first week of May.

PADAGYAO FESTIVAL- (Every May 15) Parish of Saint Isidore the Worker, Navalas, Buenavista, Guimaras

According to Eugenio Ealdama, in his Beautiful Costums and Traits of the Panay Visayans, a quaint old costum. DAGYAO is kind of voluntary, free and reciprocal group service. Seldom solicited, it is always enthusiastically given. It requires no pecuniary payment, but whoever receives the benefit imposes upom him the obligaton to return at some future time. Service in one form or another in the spirit of helpfulness and therefore, does not consider it as giving him a right to demand reciprocal action.

DAGYAO manifest itself beautifully in such neighborly and collective activities as the building of a new house or repair of an old one, the preparation of rice and cornfields. As a rule, the work is finished in one day; but where a longer time is needed as in the construction of a house, the neighbor take much of their time.

Often the recipient of this gracious act, as a matter of costum and as a means of making light flavor received, would make the last day of work an occasion for indulgences. Bamboo sheds are improvised, from which the appetite- provoking smells of especially prepared foods and the peculiar odor of tuba a favorite local beverage, in seemingly interminable flow-all these served in the afternoon when the work is over in the midst of unsophisticated rejoicing.

SARANGOLA FESTIVAL – Tastasan, Buenavista, Guimaras.

Kiteflying festival which is participated by barangay folks and neighboring barangays and municipalities of Guimaras. It manifest the ingenuity and creativity of the locals as well as their expertise in maneuvering the kites to fly swiftly and smoothly with the winds.

ROSAS SA BAYBAYON FESTIVAL – (Every June 23-24 of the year), Getulio, Buenavista, Guimaras.

Activities are celebrated along the beach where guest enjoy the (fun and frolic) with the community during the St. John’s the Baptist Day. It is highlighted with the Search for “ Rosas de Baybayon”.

SAKAYAN FESTIVAL – (Every last week of August), Montpiller, Buenavista, Guimaras

A celebration showcasing the livelihood of the community in a coastal barangay.

OTHER FESTIVAL

KASADYAHAN SA KABUKIRAN – Every June

HARVEST FESTIVAL – Every October- November

“Iwag Sang Paskua”- Every December 8-23, Municipality of Sibunag

“Paskua sa Barangay” – December 1 to 31 – Salvacion, Buenavista