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The Turumba Festival
The Turumba Festival is a significant cultural and religious event held annually in the town of Pakil, Laguna.
With its origins rooted in communal devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows, the festival has grown into a multi-day celebration that reflects both traditional values and the evolving cultural life of the town.
The main celebration is typically held during the summer months of April or May, with the seven “lupi” or novenas observed throughout the liturgical calendar. These events attracts visitors and pilgrims from nearby provinces and across the country.
Festival Activities
Over the years, the Turumba Festival has expanded beyond its religious roots to include a wide range of cultural, artistic, and community events. These serves as an opportunity to revitalize the town’s tourism industry and highlight the unique heritage of Pakil.
With the town’s tagline, “Where Fun Starts with Faith,” the festival continues to center faith as its foundation. Each year, the festival’s specific cultural programs may differ based on local decisions and resources.
“Where Fun Starts With Faith.”
Nonetheless, the festival offers a mix of activities, performances, community events, and competitions for locals and visitors to enjoy and watch.
Its activities typically features:
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Booth exhibitions (e.g. Baranggay Bahay Kubooth) - where barangays design traditional bahay kubo and showcase local crafts and products such as kayas (wood shavings), silverworks, anahaw, fans, and lanzones.
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Community competitions
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Arts and crafts workshops (e.g. Tayo Na, PakiLikha) - offer painting and workshops for childern to develop their creative talents through art.
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Culinary events (e.g. Kusina Pakileña)
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Cultural performance and physical activities (e.g. the Pajama Walk and Dance Fitness Exercise)
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Street dance and parade (e.g. the Turumba Street Dance) - where dance groups perform routines based on Turumba’s cultural and devotional identity.
One of the major event is the Turumba Street Dance Parade. This is where performers in colorful costumes showcase the history and culture of Pakil’s Turumba through synchronized movements and dances. Another award-winning event is the Laguna Lake Cup, where swimmers strive to swim across Laguna de Bay within Pakil’s territorial waters (from west to east). This event was created to promote sportsmanship, tourism, fishing culture, and to pay tribute to the town’s lakeside heritage.
At the heart of the Turumba Festival is the Turumba Procession, which regarded as the most significant and spiritual centerpiece of the entire celebration. This major religious procession is held after the morning mass, where devotees accompany the image of the Virgin Mary through the Turumba route. During this event, the devotees start dancing and singing the hymn “Awit sa Turumba.” The procession is also marked by the chant of “Sa Birhen!” and the continuous ringing of church bells.
Tourism and Local Economy
The Turumba Festival plays a major role in boosting tourism and supporting the local economy. Every year, thousands of devotees and visitors travel to the town to join the celebration in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows. This large influx of people leads to an increase in spending within the community.
During the festival period, local businesses experience higher demand. Food stalls, restaurants, and sari-sari stores earn more as visitors look for meals and refreshments throughout the day. Vendors are given spaces near the church and along the procession routes which allows them to sell snacks, drinks, and other goods to participants. Many families also set up temporary stores outside their homes to take part in the economic activity.
“Habang lumalapit ang Turumba, dumadami lalo ang tao. Maraming nagkakahanapbuhay ng mga taga-Pakil. Ngayon nga dumadami na yung mga accommodation establishments.”
Ms. Lara A. Galleros
Supervising Tourism Operations Officer
Accommodations such as lodging houses and homestays benefit as well. These establishments are often fully booked during major events like the Biyatiko. Tourists also explore nearby attractions including the Turumba swimming pool, which adds another source of income for the community.
Religious products contribute to local sales too. Around the church plaza, vendors offer candles, rosaries, prayer booklets, holy oil, and other souvenirs connected to the devotion. These items are popular not only among devotees but also with tourists who bring them home as keepsakes.
The local government and tourism sector support this economic growth by organizing programs, permits for vendors, and capacity-building seminars for businesses. These efforts help ensure that the festival is orderly while providing opportunities for residents to earn.
Overall, the Turumba Festival strengthens the economy of Pakil by increasing tourism and supporting the livelihood of the community.
Gallery
Browse through the moments of the Turumba Festival. This collection captures the event, artistry, and spirit of the people during the celebration.
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