Tambalan means the one who cures the sick through the use of herbal and ornamental plants.

Haru-Tambalan Festival is one of yearly activities done during the fiesta in Jaro, Leyte, coming Sept. 20 and 21. Just like any festival, Haru-Tamabalan Festival has its own and many historical stories which originated way back the olden times. The most popular is the story of a beautiful girl who captured the attention of the evil creatures and that she was cured through the help of a quack doctor or “tambalan” in Waray-waray dialect. The tambalan used a mixture of different plants called “haru” and that it is also in this plant that the town of Jaro was named after.

Nowadays, the story is being portrayed through the Haru-Tambalan Festival in honor of the patron saint, St. Matthew, the Evangelist. Festive and up to the beat music is being played to complement to the festive dance.

The bright and colorful costumes of the participants add to the lively and historical culture of the Salugnons, as what residents of Jaro are called. Because of this festival, the culture and tradition of the Filipinos are being preserved to enrich the cultural heritage in our contry.

Come and join us in celebrating the Haru-Tambalan Festival and witness the fun-loving Salugnons!  It just shows that Salugnons are truly Filipinos!

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