Hundreds of work animals, mostly carabaos, are led on a parade in the streets of the town every 14th and 15th of May to honor its patron saint. San Isidro Labrador. The carabaos decorated with garland and shaved for the occasion, genuflect or kneel in front of the church. Witness the colorful Carabao Festival and religious activities of the town. On the 14th of May, farmers all over the town pay tribute to their patron saint. San Isidro Labrador, in glorious thanksgiving for a year-long bountiful harvest. The celebration is manifested by hanging all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops and multi-colored kipings on bamboo poles. The affairs is highlighted by kneeling of carabaos in front of the church and the symbolic floats. Every year, a sea of frolicking humanity comes in droves to witness this showcasing inate talents of the carabaos.

Filipinos are very fond of eating and discovering new brand of food stuffs that will satisfy their taste buds, inventing and formulating new products is one of main reason why many provinces in the Philippines have their own native delicacies. Bacolod City are among those who has their own native delicacy and of the popular is the “Piaya” a round sweet bread filled with caramel enriched with sugar called “mascuvado” and sesame seeds that makes a unique taste. It is one of the in-demand Pasalubong stuff in Negros Occidental especially Bacolod City. The piaya can be found anywhere on the street because a lot of people really love this native foods that’s why many businessman engaged on this business.

November 21 – November 22
Join for the colorful rites to honor the Virgin of the Rule. Patron of Lapu-Lapu City. Every year during a fiesta, a fluvial parade is being held on Mactan channel in honor of Nuesta Senora. This has been the tradition of the people of Opon, also known as Lapu-Lapu City. I am very excited to join the fiesta fluvial parade, which will take off in the morning of November 12, 2008. The patron of Lapu-Lapu City will be placed on a yacht and will tour around Mactan Island.

Sagay City is one of the major fishing coastal communities in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines.
Man’s wanton abuse of Sagay’s marine environment resulted to massive destruction of coral reefs and other marine habitats in the area. In the late 1970’s, the then municipal mayor and later Congressman Alfredo G. Marañon, Jr. initiated action for the conservation and management of the dying coral reefs with the help and technical expertise of Silliman University Marine Laboratory then headed by Dr. Angel Alcala. Early in 1980, a marine sanctuary was established in Carbin Reef which was proclaimed as a protected area through a municipal ordinance and was extended to Panal, Maca and the fringing reefs of Molocaboc Islands.

Masbate is a tropical paradise for tourists and locals alike looking for scenic sunsets, tropical gardens, waterfalls, white sand beaches, and delicious food. An island-province, it is considered to be one of the hidden treasures of the Philippines because of its undisturbed natural reefs and reserves, not to mention that its central location makes the city a melting pot for culture, dialects and cuisine.