San Carlos City celebrates 19th Pintaflores Festival

Every November 5th, the City of San Carlos, some 145 kilometers northeast of Bacolod City Philippines celebrates the annual Pintaflores Festival. The festival coincides with the celebration of the city’s patron saint, San Carlos Borromeo.

So last Saturday, November 5, I took a 7:30AM bus bound for San Carlos City. I took the Ceres bus that plies the route Bacolod San Carlos via Don Salvador Benedicto. The route is much shorter and the view is breathtaking. The trip is around 2.5 hours. Another route going to San Carlos City is via the coastal towns which is around 5hours.

I arrived at around 10AM in San Carlos City. The weather is sunny. Upon arrival I took a tricycle going to the City Hall. I went to the City Tourism Office to meet Sir Joe, the City’s Tourism Officer and get my Media ID.

From the City Hall I went to Gaisano to have my early lunch. After I had my heavy fill, I took another tricycle and asked the driverto bring me to pantalan (port)

Every year, this is where the Pintaflores Festival streetdancing starts. This year, the streetdancing is scheduled to commence at 12noon. By the time I arrived at the port, the heat was so unbearable. It was scorching hot.

The streetdance got delayed for around 45 minutes. And I just cant bear the heat of the sun. So I had to frequently buy bottles of mineral water to rehydrate.

After shooting at the port Area, I then moved to the second judging area to shoot some more and watch the performances. Last year, when I was invited to judge the Pintaflores 2010, I was also positioned at the second juding area in front of the Public Market.

This year 10 contingents joined the contest. 5 from Elementary Schools and 5 from High School. Although there were fewer groups that joined this year, the quality of the performances, props, costume and overall production is far better compared to last year.

Every tourist and local who witnessed the streetdancing last November 5 could say that this year’s Pintaflores is probably one of the best, if not the best!

After all the participating contingesnts performed at the judging area, I then moved to the gymnasium where they will be performing their ritual presentation. This is where they will portray the folk tale of Princess Nabingka, a beautiful lady who sailed from the island of Cebu. Her people named the land Nabingkalan, in honor of the Princess.

Soon after, Princess Nabingka got sick. The townsfolk called on the babaylan or the village doctor. The babaylan learned that in order for the princess to regain her health, they must plant flowers in Nabingkalan. So off they all planted flowers in the area. Unfortunately because of the harsh conditions, the plants did not grow well and bear flowers. So the Babaylan ordered that every man and woman in Nabingkalan should put a tattoo on his or her body bearing the image of the flower.

And because of this, Princess Nabingka became well and the people rejoiced and danced in merriment.

Going back to my story, I arrived at the Gymnasium just in time for the second group to perform. Tribu Dos Once was the Pintaflores 2010 first runner Up. It was almost 3PM when the group performed. after them I stayed a little bit more to witness the presentation of Tribu Dhukikit, the defending champion.

The performances of the two groups were better compared to their routine last year and their costume is very fantastic!

Overall, I am fascinated at this year’s Pintaflores Festival. I can’t wait to go back to San Carlos City next year as it will celebrate the 20th year of Pintaflores. Congratulations to People of San Carlos! Many Thanks also to Sir Joe of the City Tourism Office. iiVamos San Carlos!!

View Larger Map