The Ibalong Festival of Legazpi City, Albay

Legazpi City, is the capital and component city of Albay, Philippines. It is composed of two districts namely, Legazpi Port and Albay district. It is also the administrative point and largest city in the Bicol region. It serves as the hub for trade and commerce, education, health services, as well as transportation. It is recognized as the most business-friendly city in Southern Luzon in the year 2007 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It ranked at the 11th spot as one of the most competitive city in the country in the year 2013. And at the top 20 of the most livable cities in the country that participated the APEC summit competition.

The Legend of Ibalon

There were once three brave heroes namely, Baltog, Handiong and Bantong.  Baltog came to the rich lands of Ibalon, where he’s the first amongst the locals to cultivate its lands. At that time, Ibalon was composed and terrorized by wild boar monsters which destroyed Baltog’s fields and crops. The monsters bring outmost terror to the town that stricken the brave soul of Baltog to do an action regarding the misfortunes of the town. So he decided to wait for the monsters at night and fought against them.  His bravery and will to take them down won over the monsters large fangs and strong body. The town rejoices with the defeat of the monsters.

Another hero came, Handiong together with his men. They already had fought many battles and won. Upon all Handiong’s battle, he had met the great serpent Oriol who is equally brave and powerful.  In his pursuit to defeat the serpent he search it in the dark forest following the serpents beautiful voice. But throughout his perseverance though he was about to be enchanted and fall on the melodic trap of the serpent, he conquered the heart and respect of the serpent monster. Oriol then, taught Handiong how to fight against the monsters and from then on peace reign in Ibalon.

The third hero of the Ibalon is Bantong, A friend to Handiong who was tasked to kill the half-man and half-beast giant, Rabot. Rabot was believed to come out after the tragic earthquakes, volcano eruptions and other natural disasters that happened in Ibalon.  Through Bantong’s bravery, Rabot was killed and the place once again rejoices in peace and good harvest.

The Ibalong Festival

The Ibalong festival is in celebration of the three heroes of Ibalon. The festival is celebrated yearly in August. Activities such as street parades, street parties, band concerts, flea markets, drag race, food fest, cooking demos and firework displays cover the whole event.  Apart from commemorating the mythical landmark of the Ibalong, the festival is a celebration of its people’s flexibility on experiencing calamities that happens almost every year because of its typhoon prone geographical location.

The Ibalong Festival is a non-religious festival in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines based on the Ibalong Epic, and is held on October 25-31.