PAKIL, Laguna – Thousands of devotees celebrated the Turumba Festival in this town on Wednesday, April 15.
Gov. Sol Aragones joined devotees and Mayor Ronald James Hidalgo in the celebration.
Aragones noted the popularity of the celebration.
“Isa po talaga sa dinadayo dito sa Laguna ang Turumba Festival. Kita ninyo po ang daming tao hindi lamang mga taga-Laguna ang nandito pati na rin po ang mga kalapit na probinsya (The Turumba Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Laguna. You can see how many people are here, not just from Laguna but also from other neighboring provinces),” she said.
Hidalgo said the town continues to welcome a large number of pilgrims every year, many of who stay for several days as part of their devotion.
“Talagang dinadayo po ang aming bayan, ang iba po ay nagtitigil dito ng tatlong araw dahil iyon po ang kanilang panata (Our town is really being visited. Some stay here for three days because this is their vow),” Hidalgo said.
The festival is a centuries-old Catholic tradition honoring Our Lady of Turumba, a locally venerated image of the Blessed Virgin Mary in this town. The devotion is rooted in the Catholic title Our Lady of Sorrows, which represents the Virgin Mary's suffering during the Passion of Jesus Christ.
The term “turumba” refers to the joyful yet solemn chanting and movement during the novena, blending Filipino spirituality with local artistic expression.
The festival showcases the rich heritage of Pakil, known for its tradition of music, arts, and craftsmanship.
The image of the Our Lady of Turumba was believed to have been found in the 18th century on Laguna de Bay, and since then, it has become the center of one of the most significant Marian devotions in the province.