This is a flashback of some religious festivities that I have attended in the past years. Higantes Festival was actually my first attempt to cover a religious festival (in the year 2009). The following year, I came back once again to celebrate this merry festival. Higantes Festival was originally known as the Feast of St. Clement or San Clemente as fondly known by the locals of Angono. Historically, these big paper mache images were made in protest to the Spanish hacienderos who once owned Angono when it was used to be a hacienda. Though it has no relevance with the feast of St. Clement, Higantes Festival is now incorporated with the latter. The fiesta is celebrated every 23rd of November. |
Even before the sun rises, locals are already awake. Some ready themselves to go to church for the first mass for St. Clement, others came from merry making that lasted the wee hours of the night, and majority are just excited to celebrate the fiesta.
During the fiesta, there were 3 images that join the procession: San Isidro Labrador, San Clemente, and the Blessed Mother. The images were processioned going to the port-like area where a pagoda is waiting. I was fortunate to be able to ride the pagoda. Be aware that this is also a festival of water and merry making. Town's people dowse water on each other. Others will even put mud on you and offer you shots of rum.
Here are some photos of the San Clemente Higantes Festival.
During the fiesta, there were 3 images that join the procession: San Isidro Labrador, San Clemente, and the Blessed Mother. The images were processioned going to the port-like area where a pagoda is waiting. I was fortunate to be able to ride the pagoda. Be aware that this is also a festival of water and merry making. Town's people dowse water on each other. Others will even put mud on you and offer you shots of rum.
Here are some photos of the San Clemente Higantes Festival.