Taguig culture showcased on charged currents in ‘Pagodahan’

Brighter, more colorful River Festival this year

The local government of Taguig has assured of a brighter and more colorful River Festival on July 26 that is envisioned to wow and delight those who will be there to experience the captivatingly rich culture and tradition that is distinctly Taguigeno.

 Mayor Lani Cayetano said every year, this highly-anticipated event is planned and organized to achieve a single objective: to showcase the diverse cultural traditions of Taguigenos through a fluvial parade of colorful boats in the Taguig River.

 “If one has been fortunate enough to participate in past celebrations of our festival, he or she would attest to the fact that Taguigenos belong to a very closely-knit community of people that are very loving, warm and uncannily happy,” she said.

 “And this festival is a living shrine to that fact. So I invite everyone to join us as we celebrate a beautiful life that is unmistakably Taguigeno.”

 The Taguig River Festival begins as early as July 17 each year and culminates on Sta. Ana’s Feast Day on July 26. Well-known highlights of the festival — the “regatta” (boat race) and “pagodahan” (fluvial parade) — will be held on the feast day itself, July 26, in the historic Taguig River.

 The festival will start with the regatta at 5 a.m. of July 26. The participating boat teams will be racing their bangkas for prizes.

 The regatta is an important part of the festival as it pays tribute to the ancestors of the city who were mostly fishermen.

 The main event of the yearly festival is the boat parade that usually starts around 3 p.m. Dozens of colorful boats will line up along the river loaded with images of Barangay Sta. Ana’s patron saint and boxes of food that includes exotic fruits such as santol and ponkan, chocolates, and other delicacies. The boat parade will be led by Mayor Lani.

 It has been a tradition that once the spruced up boats float down the river, the boat crews will throw the food into the huge cheering crowd that has gathered on bridges and at the riverside.

 In return, participants will also throw fruits and other goodies that they bring along for the festivities.

 The “pagodahan” serves as an enduring symbol of unity among Taguigeños as it features the exchange of traditional food between the boat riders representing the different communities in the city. ###