According to the legendary story of Ilahas, Sarakiki came from the word "sakingking" (originally "nakingking") which means to allure, to provoke an enemy, to fight, to deter an opponent, to enchant or bewitch.  Sarakiki is manifested in courtship, songs, war dance, kuratsa, and rituals or "hadang".

Ethnographically, Calbayognons' celebrate their community life in arts and culture.  Stage performances, dance competitions and songs combine to form unique expressions of their existence, occupations, political sovereignty and socio-cultural life.  Cultural forms that have survived through the years are still characterized by these elements: Ismyling, Kuratsa, Siday.  They still showcase the rich diversity of Calbayog's cultural heritage today.

Sarakiki aptly describes the rare event that bids to celebrate life and culture.  Cultural practitioners, institutions, and existing cultural groups come together for this meaningful cultural endeavor -- aiming for the preservation of Filipino culture in our determined quest for sovereignty and identity.

The essence of the festival is the aspiration of the people through song and dance as well as commemorate the life of Ilahas, the legendary hero of Ibatan (Calbayog).

Sarakiki street dance is characterized by the movements of the cock.  With thumbs up to form like "tahod", the performers wear costumes inspired by the appearance of the cock such costumes may be modified, improvised and made relevant.  The movements will be accompanied by original music made out of drums and other ancient Samareño musical instruments.



September (World Tourism Day)
Regional Tourism Quiz
Tacloban City

Inter-high school quiz on domestic and international tourism topics to create tourism awareness and encourage the active participation of the studentry in the promotion of Eastern Visayas as a tourist destination.



September (movable)
Parayaw han mga Kada-an
Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino
Tacloban City

The attire is an eloquent manifestation of national heritage and culture.

Thus, the observance of the "Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino" has been implemented by the Departement of Tourism to project the unique Filipino identity; create a sense of pride in being Filipinos; and to give due respect to Filipino heritage and culture.

The exhibit features baro't saya, binabaye, cayab, sando, salico, lo-on, enaqua, candonga and panuelo of women who willingly agree to show their period gowns and dresses for young generations to have a glimpse into our culture and heritage.



September 7
Padul-ong
Borongan, Eastern Samar

"Padul-ong" relates how the Lady of Nativity became the Patroness of Borongan.  Legend states that a mysterious woman boarded a Portuguese ship despite the captain's initial refusal.  The voyage went smoothly.  However, the captain failed to serve water/food to the woman guest.  She lay dead and beside her was a wooden cargo with the inscription Nuestra Señora de Borongan.  The captain immediately ordered the unloading of the box and turned it over to the elders.  The box contained the image of a beautiful woman cradling a child in her lap.

It was enshrined at Punta Maria.  The lady is said to frequent the Hamorawon Spring in Borogan as evidenced by floral scent that swept the vicinity.  Devotees came because of the miraculous curative power of the spring water.  The image at Punta Maria was then transferred to Borongan.  Thus, began the Padul-ong with the villagers transferring the shrine on board the "bilos" to Sabang barangay unto the Roman Catholic Church.

The sacred image symbolizes the Nativity of the Blessed Mother henceforth the blessed patron of Borongan.  Today, this folk religious practice focuses on an elaborately decorated carriage from the church to the residence of the Hermano of the incoming fiesta.



September 28
Balangiga Incident
Balangiga, Eastern Samar

The 1901 Philippine-American encounter is commemorted through a pageant as a reminder of the Filipinos' quest for freedom.



September 28
Banigan-Kawayan Festival
Basey, Samar

Banig is the unquestioned identity of Basey.  Say "banig" and the town of Basey immediately comes to mind.  Banig, the mat, banigan, the industry, have been existing in Basey since generations were in Binongtuan.  In the early days, the tikog straw (raw materials for banig) were woven into mats.  These mats served several purposes: as bedspread, as mats on which palay, corn and other farm products were spread for drying, as temporary shelter from the hot sun, or the rain.  These days, one can see not only banig mats but also banig wall decors, banig bags, banig room dividers and name it, banig has it.  Embroaidered with dyed buri strips, banig beauty if unequaled in its uniqueness which only the banig of Basey can possibly have.

Together with the banig, the "kawayan" - bamboo - is also identified with Basey.  From the kawayan, one can have kawayan sala sets, kawayan bric-a-bracs, kawayan outriggers, not to mention the kawayanhouses.  There are also the kawayan traps for catching crabs, fish and other seafood.  We also have different headwear from kawayan strips.  Kawayan baskets are made in the barangays of Mabini, Baloog, Canca-iyas and Basiao.

To showcase the banig and the kawayan as truly unique to Basey, the Banigan-Kawayan Festival is celebrated.  he festival street dances feature the beautiful products made of banig and kawayan.
 

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