The Carabao Festival is celebrated on the feast
day of San Isidro Labrador, the farmer’s patron saint from May 15 to 16 as a
tribute to the water buffaloes or carabaos in the farming towns of San Isidro
Nueva Ecija, Pulilan Bulacan and Angono Rizal. |
| San Isidro Labrador |
According
to historical records, San Isidro was hired as a labrador or laborer. His
landlord was amazed that he was capable of finishing his task despite his
coming late to work most of the time. Prompted by his curiosity, he
investigated and saw that the person plowing the field was an angel. In awe, he
knelt before San Isidro. Thus, the Hispanic feast of San Isidro Labrador that
eventually evolved into the Carabao Festival since the carabaos are an important
animal to farmers.
During
the feast, hundreds of carabaos are led on a parade in the streets with floats
and trucks decorated with garlands, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Then, the
carabaos genuflect or kneel in front of the church in glorious thanksgiving for
a year of bountiful harvest. Then the priest blesses each one of the carabaos
for good health and vitality for the next farming year.
 |
| carabao kneels in front of the church to pay homage to San Isidro Labrador |
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