by Carine M. Asutilla (ABS-CBN News Central Visayas)

Five contingents compete in the Kabulakan Festival of Dumaguete City this year. It is the city’s fifth year of festivity.

Kabulakan refers to flowers. According to the City Tourism Office, the festival was created to replace the Santa Cruzan Festival, which has been celebrated by the city for the past 15 years.

The City Council decided to abolish it in value to the Catholic Church and created a more universal festivity.

Kabulakan Festival is being observed in the month of May. The Dumagueteños display the different kinds of flowers locally grown.

The contingents participating in the grand parade and showdown competition will have to demonstrate how these flowers have become the people’s source of livelihood and the community’s tool for progress.

This year, the festival aims to promote green living in the city.

Contingent from Barangay Taclobo won the grand prize.


How to Get There:

From Manila, you can fly to Dumaguete (estimated cost of Php4,000++, round trip, one hour and 15 minutes).


Kabulakan Festival streetdancing competition is for participating barangays to showcase their selected flower that is abundant in the city. They will then interpret through dance the legend of the flower in their most colorful costumes and vibrant embellishments.

The festival aims to shape Dumaguete into a green garden city. It is meant to inspire people and the community to nurture its thriving flowers, trees, vegetables and fruits that will help the food sustainability of the city.