Feast Days and Festivals
Feast days, or "fiesta", as more popularly known, have a lot of activities in store for the
entertainment of the people. There are fairs, carnivals, bargain shops, craft shops, amateur singing
and dancing contests, musical shows, beauty pageants, and even a Miss Gay contest to the delight of
the audience because of the hilarious and crazy antics of the contestants. On the eve of a fiesta there. is often a "serenata" (brass band) exhibition or contest in the plaza. On the big day, drum and bugle
bands would march on the streets with the "karakol" or street dancing lively strutting along their
wake.
Flores de Mayo (May)
A daily devotion to the Virgin Mary by offering flowers throughout the month. Highlighted
with "santacruzan" or "sagala", a parade of beautiful Bataeña debutantes participate in full regale
amidst flowers.
Holy Week (March-April)
Holy Week is another awaited holiday for there are lots of activities and events held
in church or in the town plaza. Starting from Ash Wednesday that ushers in the season of Lent, "kubols" are set up in every barangay for the "pabasa", wherein the life and passion of Jesus Christ is
read through chanting by devotees on all hours of the day. A week-long activity, from "Linggo ng
Palaspas" (Palm Sunday) to "salubong" (Easter Sunday), is prepared in church. On Maundy
Thursday, "pagulong" starts in preparation for the "penitensiya" the next day. Some devotees do the "Bisita Iglesia" and read the Station of the Cross on different parishes. Early on Good Friday people
would flock the town plaza or main streets to watch the "penitensiya" (flagellants) and the "senakulo", a passion play depicting the sufferings of Jesus Christ. In the towns of Orani and Samal
you can see the real crucifixion of a devotee. At twelve noon, the "Siete Palabras" (Seven Last
Words) is chanted in church. At night is the "libing" or burial of Jesus Christ, one of the most
attended procession in the province. On Easter Sunday is the "salubong" or "alleluia", another
procession celebrating the meeting of the Risen Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Bataan Day (April 9)
The Bataan Day Celebration is an annual event of the province. War veterans and their
families travel from all over the country to Mount Samat every April 9 to reminisce the past and
celebrate the bravery of our soldiers who offered their lives for freedom. Prior to the big day, the
Provincial Government and the Provincial Tourism Office sponsor activities like a photo contest and
exhibit, quiz bees, beauty pageants, trade fairs, and a drum and bugle competition/exhibition.
Paskuhan sa Mabatang (December)
Christmas is a much-awaited season for everyone. In Mabatang, Abucay the joys of
Christmas is extended to the streets. Every "sitio" in the barangay is lavishly adorned and lighted to
the obvious delight of everyone. People from all over the province and nearby towns would drive
around Mabatang to check out the new gimmick Abukeños have come up for this year. It shows the
creativity and ingenuity of the people.