The Tagbo Festival, also known as the Panagbagat Festival, is a vibrant cultural and religious celebration held in honor of Sto. Niño de Poro in Poro, Cebu, Philippines. This festival commemorates the legendary origins of the town, which was founded through the unification of previously feuding tribes. With the arrival of Spanish colonization and Christianization, the local community embraced a deep devotion to the Holy Child.
Running from October 20 to 31, the festival features a variety of activities, including sports, street dancing competitions, showdowns, and announcing the next festival king and queen.
WHAT’S IT DOING NOW?
Today, October 25, in celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Municipality of Poro, in collaboration with the Rural Health Unit and the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation, is hosting a tote bag painting contest titled “Beautiful Totes of the Mind.” The artworks created will be sold, with proceeds directed toward purchasing mental health medications.
Engaging in creative activities is beneficial for our mental health and well-being, fostering positive emotions, reducing depressive symptoms, alleviating stress, decreasing anxiety, and even enhancing immune system function.
This evening, we will also feature “Religious Nite,” they will honor Birhen sa Rosario.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Get ready for an exciting lineup of activities leading up to October 31! On that day, a surprise live band will perform at the Poro Municipal Gym. Tomorrow, don’t miss the street dancing festival, which will take place from Western Poblacion to Poro Central School. Later in the evening, join them for a grand ritual showdown, followed by the pageant to crown the next Panagbagat Festival King and Queen.
HISTORY OF TAGBO FESTIVAL
The Tagbo Festival derives its name from the word “tagbo,” meaning rendezvous or meeting, which reflects the town’s origins according to oral tradition. Historically, the island was divided into two factions: the farmers of Tag-Anito and the fishermen of Maktang, who had long been at odds.
Their conflicts were exacerbated by the threat of Moro raiders, who frequently attacked their settlements, burning homes and capturing residents. Faced with this common enemy, the two groups were compelled to put aside their differences. A man named Panganuron took the initiative to bring them together, facilitating a meeting that resolved their longstanding enmity and united them in the fight against their shared threat.
Originally, the island was called Pulo, meaning “island,” and later referred to as Poro upon the arrival of the Spaniards. It was during this time that devotion to Sto. Niño began to flourish.
The Tagbo Festival was established in 1976 to honor Sto. Niño, whose image is enshrined in the 19th-century Sto. Niño Parish Church.
