The queseo is a cheese delicacy made from carabao’s milk. The traditional method of making the delicacy is meticulous, but the final product is distinctively creamy. It is best paired with crackers, biscuits, or piping-hot pandesal. The queseo is the product highlighted by the Municipality of Compostela in their annual festival, the Queseo Festival.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Caballo Festival
Compostela used to celebrate the Caballo Festival in honor of the patron saint of the town, Sr. Santiago de Apostol or St. James the Apostle. The word “caballo” is the Spanish word for horse. The Caballo Festival of Compostela is rooted on the portrayal of the loyal Apostle of Jesus riding a white horse, which is considered legendary and symbolic to the Spaniards. The essence of the Caballo Festival was unity, faith, development, and strength.
Compostela used to celebrate the Caballo Festival in honor of the patron saint of the town, Sr. Santiago de Apostol or St. James the Apostle. The word “caballo” is the Spanish word for horse. The Caballo Festival of Compostela is rooted on the portrayal of the loyal Apostle of Jesus riding a white horse, which is considered legendary and symbolic to the Spaniards. The essence of the Caballo Festival was unity, faith, development, and strength.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Queseo Festival
It is interesting to note that before the Caballo Festival was established, local authorities considered calling their festival the Queso Festival. It was rejected since it was unthinkable at that time for a dance demonstrating milking a carabao or preparing queso would become popular among the people. So, the concept was shelved.
It is interesting to note that before the Caballo Festival was established, local authorities considered calling their festival the Queso Festival. It was rejected since it was unthinkable at that time for a dance demonstrating milking a carabao or preparing queso would become popular among the people. So, the concept was shelved.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
The Caballo Festival was later changed into the Queseo Festival after Compostela adopted the one-town-one-product drive of the provincial government. The queseo is a livelihood product of many residents of the mountain barangays of the town. The festival was created to facilitate the promotion of the product. It was necessary to develop a dance routine mimicking the tedious process of making the queseo. After careful analysis of the movements in the process along with a little imagination, seven main dance steps were created for the festival.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Seven Dance Steps of the Queseo Festival
The seven main dance steps showing the process of making the queseo are as follows:
The seven main dance steps showing the process of making the queseo are as follows:
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
- Limpyo - showing the act of cleaning the breast part of the carabao
- Puga sa Gatas - demonstrating the milking of the carabalo
- Sa-an - showing the act of screening the milk with a mesh
- Init kaldero - representing the heating of the cauldron with burned wood
- Huwad suka - showing the act of pouring vinegar to heated milk and stirring
- Hulma - demonstrating the molding of the cheese)
- Putos - representing the wrapping of the cheese with banana leaf strips
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
A dance workshop was held to ensure all contingents will incorporate the dance steps into their presentations. The first time these dance steps were showcased in public was on July 24, 2013, which was the eve of the first Queseo Festival of Compostela. The dance figures are also revealed on the official Queseo Festival jingle. Aside from the dance steps, the dancers also don Maria Clara-style outfits or Spanish era dresses. The colorful attire highlights the rich history of the town of Compostela.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
The Queseo Festival of Compostela not only demonstrates the values and traditions of the residents of Compostela, it also highlights its main delicacy that continues to be the main source of income for a good number of residents of the town. The annual festival also shows the rich cultural heritage of the northern town of Compostela and entices local and foreign tourists to visit the town.
Queseo Festival – image source: Cebu Provincial Government Facebook Page
Have you experienced the Queseo Festival already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.
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