Tulabut: Caragan Festival

IS CARAGAN for real? Some people would raise this question.

Unfortunately, there are not many history books out there to ascertain claims to both sides. And even if there were, nothing probably narrates a complete account of the Aeta chieftain who founded Mabalacat. That's just so sad.

I am not a historian nor do I fancy myself to be one but what I know about him is he married a certain Laureana Tolentino, also a local, then they both became revered leaders of the town. At least, that part is written even in local telephone directory.

I guess it is but high time for historians, whether local or national, to do an extensive research for someone like Caragan who founded a premier city like Mabalacat.

You see, this town that was founded in 1712, is now fast becoming the gateway to the world as it hosts the Clark International Airport. It would be just so regrettable if not pitiful if a city like Mabalacat would not have an in-depth history of the leaders and people who formed it.

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What is good though about Mabalacat is that it honors its ancestry – the Aetas who are often ridiculed and neglected in some places.

That is not the case in this three-year old city.

Caragan Festival manifests that esteem for the "kulots". That goes without saying that the officials, leaders and every true-blooded Mabalaqueno are not ashamed of acknowledging that this city was founded by the Aetas. In fact, they are even proud of it.

I bet they do not even mind being ridiculed that they descended from the kinky-haired fellas. I don't mind that at all. That probably explains why I’m a shorty. Man, I can’t have monopoly of positive traits…hmm.

The festival which was shelved in 2012-2013 due to the city’s preparation for its cityhood with all the lobbying in Congress and all, was sorely missed.

The staging last year was superb. People enthusiastically trooped to the Macarthur Highway to witness the parade that stretched about 3-kilomters from Poblacion to Xevera in Tabun.

Caragan’s 2014 staging was even greater than Sinulog Festival of Cebu in terms of the number of so-called tribes or groups. Caragan had about 52. Sinulog, I was told, had 40 plus.

There was an outpouring of support from teachers, students, officials of DepEd and various schools. Throw in there too the unequivocal support given by Mabalacat officials who also came in full force (both in the parade and stage) to be part of the event.

Mayor Marino Morales was exuding with great appreciation, gratitude and enthusiasm for this cultural event.

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What is good about this cultural event is that it helps hand down bits and pieces of history, which are not readily found in history books –whether commercial of those issued by DepEd.

One cultural event like the Caragan Festival imparts to today’s youth a cultural renaissance and historical record, which tells them where they have been and where they could probably be going in the future.

And with this Facebook- Twitter- and Instagram-age, the youngsters can also easily pass on through their accounts what the festival is really all about, thus, inculcate in their minds and even the future generation how a town like Mabalacat came to being.

Festivals like Caragan (along with Sinulog in Cebu, Dinagyang of Iloilo, Ati-atihan of Kalibo, Panagbenga of Baguio, etc.) are like extension of classrooms where I believe that learning is imparted. Students need not be in the four corners of a room to learn something about history, culture and heritage. And they could be learned through songs, dances, visual arts and many other forms.

In the same vein that the Fiesta Republika in Malolos had done it where the original eight provinces depicted their respective roles during the revolt against the Spanish colonizers, Caragan also presented the same history lessons to the viewing public and the participants themselves who are mostly young people.

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Aside from the officials of Mabalacat City, there is one arts and culture patron who is behind the success of various events like the Caragan Festival – June Magbalot, the General Services Officer and Mayor Morales’ chief of staff.

Magbalot, despite his precarious health, has had to brave the elements, sleepless nights, all day and late-night rehearsals despite hectic schedule and even criticisms.

Magbalot is the same man behind the two consecutive wins (2013 and 2014) of Pampanga in the Dulansangan Festival (a street- and free-dance competition in the Fiesta Republika). He is also the same person behind the annual staging of Miss Mabalacat where some candidates make it to national pageants like Binibining Pilipinas and Mutya Ng Pilipinas. He is the same guy whom mentor-colleague Bong Lacson once called as culturati and a gemologist.

I could clearly understand why he said that of Magbalot in one of his columns not too long ago.

June continues to discover talents and beauties and make them shine like precious gems. As to cultural presentations, I don’t think no one in Mabalacat will be able to duplicate what he does for the city. Nope, no one, not ever.

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This year’s weeklong Caragan Festival will also include the very first Haring Caragan (something like Mr. Mabalacat pageant). The event would showcase the talents of young Mabalaquenos while paying tribute to the Aetas.

The usual free dance in both elementary and high school will also be featured once again. The highlight will be the streetdance along Macarthur Highway.

Oh by the way, Caragan Festival won the 5th grand prize in the Aliwan Fiesta in Pasay City last year. Aliwan is the gathering and competition of the country’s top festivals. Caragan bested 14 other festivals from all over the archipelago.It was a surprise winner as crowd loudly cheered with elaborate costumes and props.

Among the country’s top 10 festivals, one may note that five of them are about religious beliefs. Caragan is about people’s origin and ethnicity, thus, it is one of the groups/festivals that is being seriously considered to be part of the Philippine Embassy’s showcase of cultural presentation in Washington DC.

No less than the Embassy’s First Secretary, Minister and Consul Elmer Cato brought the idea to me that Caragan could become part of the so-called open house in May this year when embassies from all over the globe based in DC would open their gates to tourists for a day of cultural extravaganza. That event would have about 5,000 spectators mad up of diplomats, tourists, travellers and locals.

This is perhaps the reason why this year’s celebration is themed as “Caragan Festival Goes Global”

So, going back to the original question is Caragan for real or just a legend? I don’t really care what the answer is. What remains important is that the people of Mabalacat continues to preserve the city’s rich cultural heritage and history.

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As Caragan is part of the city's Fiesta Celebrations, I could not help but cite our fellow Mabalaquenos in the US who are one with us in the tradition.

Congratulations to Mabalacat Residents of Southern California and the Mabalacat Association of Northern California, headed by Eduard David and Ted Garfield, respectively, for their succesfull observance of Mabalacat Fiesta in the West Coast.

These two organizations held separate occasions for their members. From what I heard they both turned out to be well attended. It is not easy to organize and gather townmates in other places like the US. But the officers of these two clubs were able to do just that, thus, allowing our Cabalens to renew their acquaintances and discuss various concerns.

Congratulations to MRSC and the MANC. You are doing great job shepherding our Cabalens.

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