By: Cheryl M. Luis
Every first of November, Catholics celebrates “All Saints Day” and November 2 is the “All Souls Day,” but to us Ilonggo’s, November first has been the day called ‘Tigkaralag.’ Most of us flock to the cemetery; columbarium, and places where our departed love ones lay.
The term ‘Tigkaralag’ comes from the Ilonggo words, “tig,” which means “season of,” and “kalag,” which means “soul”. Particularly in Pavia, Iloilo ‘Tigkaralag’ becomes a festival called ‘Tigkaralag Festival.’ It is Pavianhons’ way of celebrating All Soul’s Day.
Tigkaralag is a dance drama competition between the barangays in the district of Pavia. The festival is started with a parade of the contestants in Halloween costumes. With hair-raising props, costumes in playful imagery of skeletons, witches, and half-bodied man-eaters made with grotesque make-up, this showdown reflects the Filipino’s Halloween tradition and culture.
Today, due to pandemic, public events were canceled but the ‘Tigkaralag’ festival in Pavia continues.
“COVID-19 pandemic will not hinder the ‘Tigkaralag’ festival for Pavianhons. Today we make sure that talented and creative people in Pavia can showcase their talents and skills. We do tapings that are off to the public to abide with the existing health protocols,” according to Mr. Dexter Dizon, the tourism officer designate of Pavia-LGU.
Here are the categories for this 31st edition of the ‘Tigkaralag’ festival:
Dance showdown (modified from the customary dance-drama to avoid physical contact) – 12 groups representing 12 barangays are joining.
Costumes Contests with two categories
Tigkaralag Costume – any scary or amusing character except a kalag.
Kalag Costume – costumes depicting a ‘kalag’ or soul
(12 participants for each costume category)
Tigkaralag Fashion Challenge: Gown
Pavia has a hotbed of talented people; this contest is a new introduction to the festival which aims to discover another Pavianhon designer. In this category, the challenge is to create wearable gowns which will be complemented by dark and gothic but glam makeup.
Notable judges from the city and province of Iloilo were invited. This festival is hosted by Carabao-Carroza Festival Queen 2020 Elaisha Losaria Pomida and Carabao-Carroza Festival Queen 2021 Arielle Justine Panistante.
Pomida and Panistante were also the main characters in the 31st Tigkaralag Festival storyline that serves as the backdrop for the different contests.
The live awarding ceremony is done at Pavia Multipurpose Gymnasium with a limited audience to follow COVID-19 protocols together of some were pre-taped material that is previously streamed.
The event started streaming live together with the awarding ceremony last October 31, 2021, at 6:30 pm via Balita Pavianhon FB Account.
