Giant versions of President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio will join this year's Higantes Festival in Angono, Rizal.
A series of activities to highlight Angono's arts, music, culture, food, sports, and religious festivities was recently unveiled by the local government as the opening salvo to the “Higantes Festival 2023."
Mayor Jeri Mae Calderon and Vice Mayor Gerardo Calderon announced the official start of the more than one month of festivities as the town people’s thanksgiving for the "gigantic" achievements that the town and its people have achieved through the years.
Among the highlights of this year’s Higantes Festival is the much anticipated Higantes Festival Grand Parade that will feature more than a hundred giant mascots popularly known in the town as the “higantes” parading on the streets of the municipality from morning until afternoon on November 19, Sunday.
The town’s “giants” represent the achievers in different fields and who have brought honor and pride to the town, Vice Mayor Calderon said.
Mayor Calderon told Manila Bulletin that the festival will also center on arts, with exhibits happening throughout the month of November, as well as music, sports, and pageantry.
Cooking and eating contests of native delicacies, including its "itik" or native ducks and pro-environment projects including cleaning and greening of the communities are also part of the annual festivities that attract local and foreign tourists.
Aside from the cultural events, religious activities to give honor to the town’s patron saint, Pope St. Clement, are also expected with parishioners and devotees joining the morning fluvial and street parade following the celebration of the Holy Mass.
Mayor Calderon said residents are enjoined to celebrate the occasion of thanksgiving by maintaining discipline and not drinking on the streets.
It has been a policy of the municipal government to arrest drunkards who have become wild especially during the parades, according to Vice Mayor Calderon.
Business establishments that have been consistent in paying local taxes were also recognized as giants of the town.
Below is the calendar of activities for the Higantes Festival 2023:
