Jaro Candelaria Fiesta 2011
Candelaria Fiesta (Feast of Our Lady of Candles) is a very much celebrated religious event in Jaro, Iloilo. Every February 2nd, Salognons (Jaro natives; sometimes Jareños) prepare banquets for friends, families and other relatives who gather for a celebration. It is their act of thanksgiving for the previous year’s blessings customary to the Philippine’s catholic tradition.
Jaro is considered to be the center of the Candelaria devotion in the Philippines.
The celebration and preparations start almost a month before the very feast day. The month-long event showcases trade fairs and feria along the local town’s square.
During the Candelaria fiesta, affluent aficionados of cockfighting (bulang) from all over the country also gather for a multi-billion derby. It is known to be the most extravagant cockfighting event in the Philippines held at the Iloilo Coliseum in Brgy. San Isidro, Jaro.
The entire celebration is capped with a grand procession in the afternoon and the coronation of the fiesta queen in the evening. Daughters of prominent families in Jaro or at least have roots from Jaro take turns in reigning as the fiesta queen yearly.
Below are some photos of the Jaro Candelaria Fiesta 2011.
Bibingka, a staple delicacy found in Jaro Plaza
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