Thousands watch 77th ‘Aguman Sanduk’

MINALIN- Thousands of local and foreign tourists visited this small fishing and poultry town on New Year’s Day to witness the annual “Aguman Sanduk” festival where hundreds of men and boys parade in the streets wearing women’s clothing.

Mayor Edgar Flores told Sun.Star Pampanga that the festival started in 1931 when a group of men dared each other to wear their wives’ clothes and play the role of women like cooking, child birth and other household chores thus “Aguman Sanduk,” which means “fellowship of the ladle.”

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Flores said the festival was a huge success as thousands of tourist and fellow Minalenos witnessed the parade of floats from different barangays, as well as dance numbers of men wearing wigs, make-up and dresses.

“This year it’s a different festival altogether, instead of female celebrities and dance groups from Metro Manila we concentrated on promoting the town’s rich cultural heritage, its livelihood and good morals of the people in our beloved town,” Flores said.

He said that the floats this year were more colorful and lively, adding that participants decorated the floats with fruits, vegetables, traditional kitchen utensils, giant clay pots and other indigenous materials.

Barangay Chairman Rolly Flores, brother of Mayor Flores said that the festival has survived for many years and will continue in the coming years.

“Ang Aguman Sanduk ay isang tradition na kinagisnan na namin sa aming mga ninuno, at patuloy naming itong ginugunita at pinagseselabrahan. Ito rin ay mamanahin na ng aming mga anak at mga apo, dahil ito ay isang magandang halimbawa na kaming mga lalaki at maging sensitibo sa aming mga asawa,” Flores said.

Barangay Chairman Flores also joined the parade wearing his official seaman uniform. Flores is the official candidate of the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party for the mayoral seat which will soon be vacated by his brother.

Vice-Mayor Edgar Yambao, one of the organizers of the festival said that aside from being fun, “Aguman Sanduk” participants make themselves look ugly to qualify for he title “Reyna ning Aguman Sanduk,” who is supposedly the ugliest cross-dresser.

Yambao said that the parade culminated in the 17th century old Sta. Monica church and the awarding held at the covered court near the church.

This year’s participants included groups like For the Boys, Montessorians, Knights of the Blessed Sacrament, San Francisco Young Group Club, Sta. Maria Barangay Youth Ministry, Singles For Christ, Rosarian O1, Anak Plaza, Dakila Volunteers, Rosarian Movers Youth Club, San Isidrians, Citizens Army Training Officers of Sto. Rosario Barangay High School, San Pedro 3, St. Francis of Assisi Youth Club, Sto. Domingo Choir Group , PlayBoy Club and winners of Mutya ning Kapampangan 2009.