EVENT | 35th Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City

La Carlota City is in the southwestern part of central Negros Island nestled in the foot of the sacred Mt. Kanla-on which is the highest peek in Central Visayas .  The rich culture of La Carlota is manifested through the celebration of Pasalamat Festival. A weeklong celebration of thanksgiving to the bountiful harvest which falls every nearest Sunday of May. 

It culminates with a Mardi Gras like parade of floats and caricatures. Dancers clad in their colorful indigenous costumes. Sashaying in the tune of samba which drumbeaters created out of carabao leather drums and percussion instruments from indigenous materials. 

The original "sambita" or the samba beat was first conceptualized by late Mayor Luis "Nonoy" Jalandoni Jr. In which the original Pasalamat Festival was a simple marry making and street dancing to mark the end of the milling and harvest season to give thank to God Almighty for the bountiful harvest. The first festival took place on May 1, 1980 after several calamities hit the province of Negros Occidental most especially in La Carlota. 

Pasalamat Festival and its drumbeaters is making its way to attract local and tourist. It has gone a long way and captured the heart of nearby provinces like Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan in Mindanao and in Manila. The drumbeaters also acclaimed by foreign during the world exposition held at Aichi, Japan in the year 2005.

Courtesy by: goodlifeinbacolod.com

To those who are planning to visit La Carlota, here is the schedule of activities :

April 22, 23 and 24, 2014

- All Day - 2014- 4 Cock Derby - La Carlota Coliseum

April 26, 2014 Saturday

- 8:00Am - ROLLO Y PINTA ( scroll painting competition) - Festival Park

April 27, Sunday

- 8:00Am - 4th Pasalamat Shootfest - CEO Grounds

April 28, 2014 Monday

- 8:00 Am - CUADRO Y PINTA (on-the-spot painting competition) - at the back of SP building.

                 - MUNECO VISTUARIO ( doll costume design competition) - Festival park
- 9:00 Am - Opening Pasalamat AGRO TRADE FAIR/Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium
                 - Talk 'n Text  Bingo Bonanza - Agora Public Market
- 5:00 Pm - Thanksgiving Mass - Festival Park
- 6:00 Pm - 35th Pasalamat Festival Opening Ceremony (fireworks display) - Festival Park
- 8:00 Pm - Party at the Park

April 29, 2014 Tuesday

- 6:00 Am - Live2 Dance Party Mardi Gras - Festival Park
- 8:00 Am - AGRO TRADE FAIR/Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
- 8:30 Am - 2014 Inter-Cities and Mun. Chess Tournament - DHSBNHS Covered Court
- 9:00 Am - 12th Cong. Jeff P. Ferrer 9-Ball Billiard Tournament - D'Place Billiard Hall
- 3:00 Pm - PAWASAK 2014 - Festival Park
- 7:00 Pm - 3rd Pasalamat Pyromusical  Competition - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
- 8:00 Pm - 4th Paaslamat Battle of The Band - Festival Park

April 30, 2014 Wednesday

- 7:00 Am - Mangkas Challenge - starting Festival Grounds/Plaza
- 7:30 Am - Pasalamat Trisikad Race - starting Festival Park City
- 8:00 Am - 6th Pasalamat Job Fair - at the back of SP building
                 - AGRO TRADE FAIR/ Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
- 8:30 Am - 2014 Inter-Cities and Mun. Chess Tournament - DHSBNHS Covered Court
- 9:00 Am - 12th Cong. Jeff P. Ferrer 9-Ball Billiard Tournament - D'Place Billiard Hall
- 3:00 Pm - Basket BAll Exhibition Game - Festival Park
- 7:00 Pm - SMB Night Street Party - front of Public Plaza
- 7:30 Pm - PRE-PAGEANT NIGHT - LCC Gymnasium

May 1, 2014 Thursday

- 5:00 Am - Pasalamat Marathon - starting Paslamat Grounds/Plaza
- 6:00 Am - AGRO TRADE FAIR/ Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
                 - 4th Pasalamat Team Tennis Tournament - Tennis Court
- 8:30 Am - 3rd MAYOR FERRER Footbal Invitational Cup - DHSBNHS Oval
- 9:00 Am - 12th Cong. Jeff P. Ferrer 9-Ball Billiard Tournament - D'Place Billiard Hall
- 1:00 Pm - 6th MAYOR's CUP Karatedo - DHSBNHS Covered Court
- 2:00 Pm - Boxing Tournament - LCC Gymnasium
- 5:00 Pm - RHYTHM COMPETITION (fireworks display) - Festival Park

May 2, 2014 Friday

-8:00 Am - 3rd MAYOR FERRER FFootbal Invitational Cup - DHSBNHS Oval
                - AGRO TRADE FAIR/ Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
                - 2nd SPORT SUMMER CAMP - DHSBNHS Covered Court
                - ARNIS - LCC Gymnasium
- 7:30 Pm - AWIT-SAYAW ONSE Grand Finals (fireworks display) Festival Park

May 3, 2014 Saturday

- 6:00 Am - DOG WALK - CMO Grounds
- 7:00 Am - Mountain Bike Competition - Festival Grounds/Park
                 - 1st ULTIMATE FRISBEE - DHSBNHS Oval
- 8:00 Am - AGRO TRADE FAIR/ Palarong Panlahi - LCC Gymnasium Grounds
                 - ARNIS - LCC Gymnasium
                 - 2nd SPORT SUMMER CAMP - DHSBNHS Covered Court
- 1:00 Pm - Pasalamat Dog Show Competition - LCC Gymnasium
- 7:00 Pm - Search for Pasalamat Festival Queen 2014 (fireworks display) Festival Park

May 4, 2014 Sunday

- 3:00 Pm - 2014 FESTIVAL DANCE and FLOAT PARADE - LCC Street
                - ARENA DANCE COMPETITION - Festival Park
                -PARTY AT THE PARK - Festival Park
- 12:00 Mn - FIREWORKS DISPLAY - Festival Park

Schedule of Activities is Courtesy of : Tambayan ni Jondel

How to get there: 

La Carlota is approximately an hour  drive from the city of Smiles, Bacolod if private vehicle. Its almost two hours by public utility jeepneys via the main highway. It is also accessible via the inferior barangays of Bago City. 

PLACES | Victorias City the City of Victory

Courtesy: www.lakatan.info

Early History

The city is already a settlement even before the Spaniards came. Aborigenes of the place were Negritos. When Spaniards came they named it as Malihaw due to vast and abuntantly growing Malihaw trees in the riverbanks. Barrio Malihaw is a fishing village that later became a pueblo or town, it was ruled by Capitan Gregorio Conlu. He was married to Faustina Gosiaco ( Capitana Tutang). 

One day, the household of Capitan Conlu was robbed by the Moros and Tulisanes. He and his secretary, Alfonso Pachera were able to escape and his beloved wife together with their servant Micay were left and brought aboard the sailboat by Moros. The boat immediately sailed across the sea. Capitana Tutang was asked by the Moro if they could swim, they answered they could not. They thrown overboard Capitana tutang and Mikay to the sea without knowing they are good swimmers. Moros expected they will be drowned and departed.

Both of them were strugling in the water and suddenly Capitana Tutang saw a beautiful lady that she believed was the Blessed Virgin Mary. As soon as they got home she promised herself to buy an image of the lady who helped them, but took her several months to purchase the image in Barcelona Spain. Although she could not specify the image she wanted, Nuestra Senora de las Victorias were sent to her.

The Making of Victorias

Because of miraculous incedent happened to Capitana Tutang, towns men enjoined Capitan Goryo to ask the Governor for the change of towns name. With the Governors consent the town was named as Victorias which means "victory" by Father Casimiro Hinolan in honor of their patron saint Nuestra Senora de las Victorias. By the year 1900s, 20 hectares of land was donated to the Municipality of Victorias which is now the present town by Alejandro Acuña Yap Quiña, a Philantrophist of Chinese ancestry. 

It was on October 31, 1907 when the Official seat of Government from Malihaw now called Daan Banwa ( old town) were transfer to its new Municipal building. Later on February 11, 1998, the Municipality of Victorias became a Component City under the Republict Actn No. 8488 signed into law by the President Fidel V. Ramos. The signing was witnessed by Hon. Mayor Severo Acuña Palanca, key officials and members of the Senate and the House of Congress at Malacañan Palace. Henceafter, a yearly celebration which is called Kadalag-an festival were held every March 21. 

Festivals

Kadalag-an festival, a week-long celebration that highlights every 21st of March in commemoration of Victoria's Cityhood. Celebrated annualy along with the Search kadalag-an Queen, Street and Arena dance competition.  Kadalag-an which means "victory", victory that symbolizes the triumph against adversities and hindrance thats slows the pace of its development.
Malihaw Festival, is an annual fiesta in celebration of their patron saint Nuestra Senora de las Victorias. Celebrated every April 26. The fluvial parade in the shoreline of the City is the main highlight of this event. 

Gawahon Falls Courtesy: http://ph.geoview.info/

Tourist Spots

First on the list is the very well known Gawahon Eco-Park. Elevated 800m above sea level. Nestled within Northern Negros Forest Reserved, the last forest frontier of the Negros Island which also have the largest watershed in the province. Within the eco-park is the Gawahon falls that has seven natural pristine water falls that trekkers, climbers and nature lovers will truely loved. The cool breeze of the wind, the scenic view of the place and the primary growth forest will unwind and refresh you. Facilities like rooms, cottages, open shed house and picnic cabanas is open for rent and they still adding more facilities for the convenince of the tourist and guests. 
The Sprawling Victorias Milling Company ( VMC ), considered to be Asias biggest integrated sugar mill and refinery in the world which was established on 1919. More than 7000 hectares that houses its self-contained agro-industrial complex within the compound. VMC was the first sugar mill in the country to earn ISO 9002 certification.

VMC golf and country club, which rest within the Milling Company. It has 18 golf hole course. 

The Antique Steam Locomotive
Coutesy by: pinoygolfer.com

Iron Dinaosaur, it is an antique steam locomotive and displayed within the jurisdiction of VMC.

Church of St. Joseph the Worker, rest at the heart of Victorias Milling Company. The church is very popular because of its Angry Christ Mural a "craggy- faced Christ in psychedelic colors. It was done by Alfonso Ossorio, artist-son of VMC founder Don Miguel Ossorio. The church is also unique because it is the only church in Negros that depicts Filipino liturgical arts.

Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral,considered as one of the biggest church in Visayas and in Mindanao. It is a monumental edifice in Canetown Subdivision. 

The Victorias Public Plaza, famed as it was one of the most beautiful plaza in the Province. Surrounded by well landscape horticulture plants. It houses  an amphitheater, skating rink, SK pavillion and Senior Citizens pavilion. Added attraction to the plaza was the small lagoon with a man made water falls. 

How to Get There?

It is a 34 kilometers from the City of Smile Bacolod. A 40 to 45 minutes travel via public utility vehecles or private car. 

Best Time to Visit Victorias.

March is the best time. Witness the Kadalag-an Festival and it was the start of summer season, perfect to vist the Gawahon Falls.