Gasoline (1 liter) | USD 1.20 |
One-way ticket (local transport) | USD 0.21 |
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre | USD 473.98 |
Coke bottle | USD 0.53 |
Chicken breasts at the market | USD 3.48 |
1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff | USD 0.17 |
Utilities (Electricity, Heating, ...) for medium apartment | USD 86.62 |
Water bottle (0.33 liter) | USD 0.36 |
Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre | USD 284.72 |
Rice (white) | USD 0.93 |
If you hear about Pulilan, there is one thing that you will hear next: the Carabao Festival. Every year, this simple town in Bulacan, Philippines holds a parade of carabaos in celebration of the Feast of San Isidro Labrador. The town fiesta held every May 14th and 15th, is a colorful and truly exciting festival that you should not miss.
Before you take cheap flights to Pulilan, it would be nice that you understand why the two-day festival is very important for the locals.
Water buffaloes or carabaos are the most common work animals in the vast farmlands in Pulilan. This rice-producing town pays tribute to its patron saint yearly to give thanks for their bountiful harvest. As a salute to the saint (San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers), farmers dress up their carabaos with garlands and other decorations. When the carabaos are in front of the church, they are asked to kneel down as a sign of respect. Interestingly, the carabaos of Pulilan are more than willing to go down on their knees.
Aside from the carabao parade, the Pulilan Carabao Festival also features symbolic floats where fruits, food crops, and bamboo poles are used as decorations. There are also other activities held during the festival week, including carabao races, competition for the best crops, and various folk games. The carabaos are also ranked in various categories. The winners for the Best-Looking Carabao, Most Skilful Carabao, and the Cleanest Carabao are given exciting prizes courtesy of the government.
The annual Pulilan Carabao Festival is surely a parade of tradition and culture. You will see much of the town’s gems when you take cheap flights to Pulilan during the time of the festival. Don’t worry about getting a place to stay. Although the festival draws a huge crowd, you will not usually find hotels in Pulilan packed. Mostly, those who come over to see the event are just from neighboring towns. They do not stay the night over. For tourists, however, hotels are available so you will have an opportunity the following days to explore the town’s natural beauty. Visit the Pulilan Butterfly Haven, the Nestle Ice Cream Plant, and the La Pulilan River View Resort for more exciting discoveries.