With all our so many festivals in the Philippines, let’s include into the list the Pahoy-pahoy (scarecrow) festival, held every May 25 in Calbiga, Samar.

Pahoy-Pahoy Festival is an after harvest ritual that becomes part of Christian tradition. According to the tale, the town has rice lands as the means of their income and food. These rice fields attract rice birds, or locally known as maya and causes food crisis, but the villagers find a way to scare away these birds. It is through the pahoy or scarecrow that drives the maya away from the rice fields.

 During the fiesta, Calbiga showcases giant pahoy (scarecrows) made of indigenous materials dancing in the streets to the sound of musical instruments made up of bamboos, cans and stones. The pahoy that line the town’s street is so colorful and lively that it gives joy to the local people of Calbiga and to the visitors.

You should that let May 25 pass without seeing this one of a kind festival only in the Philippines.

credits to:

http://hoparound.net/HopAround/public/tourist/poi_level3_view.page?level3Id=1077

http://www.flickr.com/photos/legrandbleu/7283273038/