Kabkaban Festival 2025 in Philippines

The Kabkaban Festival is an annual celebration held by the people of Carcar on November 24-25. This vibrant festival features ritual dances intended to drive away bad spirits and now aims to attract tourists to the city. The event showcases various aspects of Carcar's heritage, including its history, arts, and locally produced products. Ritual dances are particularly cherished in Filipino culture, and the festival also honors the kabkaban plant, which grows abundantly throughout Carcar.

Traditional Celebrations

Carcar is renowned for its affordable yet durable products, including shoes, bolos (wide-bladed knives), baskets, and other items from local cottage industries. These locally-produced goods are prominently featured during the Kabkaban Festival, showcasing the city's craftsmanship and products. To enhance the positive spirit of the celebration, the festival coincides with the city's fiesta honoring its patron saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria. The Kabkaban Festival serves as the highlight of this vibrant fiesta, blending cultural celebrations with local traditions.

Events

Today, the Kabkaban Festival has expanded beyond Carcar, attracting participants from all over the country. The celebration features vibrant street dancing and parades, where local students showcase their talents in colorful costumes and traditional music as they dance and march through the town's streets. The festival also includes various rituals and ceremonies such as the Novena Mass, the Fluvial Procession, and the Blessing of the Palayok, a traditional clay cooking pot. In addition, the festival hosts beauty pageants, food festivals with culinary contests, and sports tournaments, making it a multifaceted event that celebrates the rich culture and community spirit of Carcar.

Origin of the Kabkaban Festival

The Kabkaban Festival has been celebrated in Carcar since the early 1990s to honor the town’s patron saint, Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The festival’s name, derived from the Cebuano word "bakbakan," meaning to fight or engage in combat, reflects the town’s history of fierce warriors who resisted Spanish colonizers. Over the years, the Kabkaban Festival has grown into a vibrant celebration of Carcar’s culture and tradition.