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photo by Joel Miles Molina
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In
Pavia, Iloilo, October 30 is celebrated as a Halloween festival locally known
as Tigkaralag. Taken from the
Hiligaynon root word “kalag” meaning
soul, Tigkaralag is this town’s unique way of celebrating All Soul’s Day. It is
annually marked by a showdown and dance presentation of various Halloween
characters represented by the town’s barangays.
The
municipality uses the symbolic and interpretative festival of Halloween through
Tigkaralag to each local customs and traditions about this holiday through a
celebratory experience enchanting to Ilonggos of all ages.
The
entire evening becomes a showcase of scary creatures of various sizes and
shapes. Can you survive a nightmarish horde of zombies? There is only one way to find out!
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photo by Joel Miles Molina
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Experience
Tigkaralag as the town’s municipal plaza transforms into a haunted park with
scary characters, fully made-up and in classic or more elaborate costumes. This
year, on its 21st year, the event has everything under the moon. It will take
you on a more sinister persona after dark as horrifying characters come to
life. You will run screaming into the arms of the Corpse Bride and beware of
the witch stirring her cauldron as she mutters spells and scary sounds. They
are all present in that evening along with an incredible array of grim reapers,
skeletons, body parts and more.
In
the Philippines, the celebration of Halloween is related to the scarier aspects
of life such as death, magic, and mythical creatures in the life. It involves
activities such as tricks and treating, costume parties, visiting of haunted
houses, reading scary stories, ghost tours, and watching horror movies.
But
in some towns, Halloween is a festival full of scary, fun, enjoyable moment,
decoration, parties and gathering.
Tigkaralag
Festival in Pavia, Iloilo has grown to become one of the largest community celebrations in
Pavia. Conceptualized in 1991 by former 2nd District Provincial Board Member,
Hon. Cecilia H. Capadosa, Tigkaralag annually draws many of horror fans from
around Iloilo to this one-of-a-kind event. It has grown in size in terms of
audience and participants.
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photo by Joel Miles Molina
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Tigkarakag
will start with a parade by contesting barangays at 6:30 p.m. proceeding to the
municipal plaza where the contest proper will be showcased with awards in
categories for the Best Arch, Most Horrible and the Most Amusing for both
individual and group.
The
event promises to be a great Halloween treat for the whole family. For those
looking for something extreme during the Halloween, come down and have a great
time with Iloilo’s oldest Halloween festival, the ultimate Halloween
experience, here in Pavia.
To get to Pavia, one can take a jeepney at Jaro Plaza, Iloilo City. For more information, please contact Mrs. Susan P. Jovero-Municipal Tourism Officer at 09173006041.
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