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This is a contributed article from Atty. Apolinario Macalintal, detailing the festive celebration of Alitagtag’s booming float industry.
Float, in Tagalog, is called karosa – an artistically designed structure over a vehicle which is commonly used in parades and festivals. And now, it has its own festival in the humble town of Alitagtag.
FLOATS FESTIVAL IN ALITAGTAG
The calendar of tourism events of the Department of Tourism calls the activity “TAPUSAN”, being the last day of month-long celebration of Flores de Mayo. During the month of May, people in at least twelve (12) barangays offer flowers daily to Blessed Mother Mary in theirs respective chapels. On the last day May 31 the principal sponsors known as “Hermanas Mayor” spearhead the celebration shouldering most of the costs of construction of the float, food for the community and guests and the live band all amounting to over 100 grands.
The Hermanas Mayor are volunteers who offer to host the affair as expression of thanksgiving to God and Mother Mary for all graces received and successes in business, profession, and other endeavours here and or abroad. This has become a tradition of more than 75 years and still going strong.
The floats are about 12 meters long each, lighted with more than 1000 bulbs and bedecked with lots of flowers attached to intricately curved structures, serving as altar for the Blessed Mother and other patrons of the community.
From early evening, they come out in the main street in procession with each float well lighted and preceded by about hundred pairs of ladies & girls in gowns and gents & boys in barongs, and with the live band in front and/or back.
All the floats and processions, passing by each other, fill the whole street of the town. Upon arrival at the poblacion, they each stop before a Board of Judges to grade them in various categories. Plaques of recognition are provided by the Department of Tourism as its support to the event that has become a tourist attraction. A real float and procession was presented in Intramuros, Manila during the launching of WOW Philippines.
Float making has flourished as an industry in Alitagtag and made it the Float Capital of the Region.
(The float in the photo was part of the festival in 2008. Photo credit: thebackpackboy.com)
Video Highlights of Alitagtag Float Festival 2010
Last updated: September 2, 2013
Alitagtag, Batangas is one of the most beautiful and very unique place in the Philippines. Congratulations to the people of Alitagtag.