Festivals or fiestas are part of the culture of Filipinos. Each year, residents in different towns in the country stop for a while and hold festivals in honor of their patron saint. These festivals are also a way for residents of these towns to give thanks for the bountiful blessings they receive each year. The towns in Cebu also celebrate their own festivals. One of these festivals is the Panagsogod Festival in the town of Sogod.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Sogod
The northern town of Sogod is more known for its beach resorts, cold and hot springs, and waterfalls. The name of the town means “start” in Cebuano and refers to the point where the white sand beaches of the north meet the brown sand beaches in the south.
The northern town of Sogod is more known for its beach resorts, cold and hot springs, and waterfalls. The name of the town means “start” in Cebuano and refers to the point where the white sand beaches of the north meet the brown sand beaches in the south.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Panagsogod Festival
The Panagsogod Festival of the town is celebrated every July 25 and is held in honor of the patron saint of the town, St. James the Apostle. It is also a way of giving thanks by the residents of the town for the blessings they receive each year. The term “panagsogod” means the beginning in Cebuano.
The Panagsogod Festival of the town is celebrated every July 25 and is held in honor of the patron saint of the town, St. James the Apostle. It is also a way of giving thanks by the residents of the town for the blessings they receive each year. The term “panagsogod” means the beginning in Cebuano.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Street Dancing
The festival opens with a street dancing competition held along the main roads of the town. Different contingents wear colorful costumes and compete with each other to earn the distinction of being the best in the festival. The competition culminates at the Sports Plaza Grounds of the town where a ritual showdown is held among the participating contingents.
The festival opens with a street dancing competition held along the main roads of the town. Different contingents wear colorful costumes and compete with each other to earn the distinction of being the best in the festival. The competition culminates at the Sports Plaza Grounds of the town where a ritual showdown is held among the participating contingents.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Aside from competing to become the best in street dancing, the contingents also compete for the honor of having the best costume during the festival. A Panagsogod Festival Queen is also selected from the main dancers of each contingent.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
The festival showcases the rich cultural heritage of the town as well as the natural wonders it can offer to residents and visitors alike. During the festival, the residents of Sogod work with each other to ensure the event is successful. It celebrates the qualities and attitude of all residents of the town of Sogod.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Getting to Sogod
You can hop on a bus or van for hire headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. If you are planning to go to Sogod for the Panagsogod Festival, you may consider going there a day or two before the street dancing competition so you have time to prepare as well as get to see some of the sights in the town.
You can hop on a bus or van for hire headed for the town at the Cebu North Bus Terminal. If you are planning to go to Sogod for the Panagsogod Festival, you may consider going there a day or two before the street dancing competition so you have time to prepare as well as get to see some of the sights in the town.
The Panagsogod Festival of Sogod is just one of the many festivals in Cebu that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the island. It also shows how residents of a town can come together and collaborate for an important event in their town.
Panagsogod Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Have you experienced the Panagsogod Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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