Bahandi Festival is a cultural, harvest, and religious festival in Alcantara, southwestern town of Cebu, Philippines, every August 28. It is organized by the local government to celebrate the fiesta of the town patron St. Augustine and as a way to express thanksgiving for bountiful harvest.
Bahandi Festival is one of the cultural fests that participate in the annual Pasigarbo sa Sugbo every August.
Etymology
Bahandi Festival originated from bahandi, a Cebuano word that means treasure.
Devotion to St. Augustine
Bahandi Festival is a celebration of the annual fiesta of the town’s patron saint, St. Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo.
As Christianity took hold in the island of Cebu during the centuries-long colonization by the Spaniards, the church in Alcantara was a visita of Barili (Baliri church was made into a parish in 1614). Afterwards, its mother parish was transferred to Badian Church beginning on August 26, 1825 and then Moalboal Church on January 20, 1852.
Finally, San Agustin Church of Alcantara was elevated into a parish through Superior Decree issued on October 11, 1866.
The stone church was built in 1850 but it was not completed until after the Philippine Revolution at the turn of the century. Its design was drawn as a defense against seaborne attacks by the Moro raiders.
Bahandi Festival Activities
In 2024, the schedule of the annual Bahandi Festival began with an Opening Salvo and Caravan in August 18. It was followed by nine days of novena and mass held at San Agustin Parish Church. A procession was held on the last day of novena. On August 28, a pontifical mass was celebrated.
Among the secular activities included: beauty pageants (New Hiyas Queen and Queen of Alcantara), music fest, variety show, entertainment, sports, talent shows, and concert.
How to reach Alcantara, Cebu
From Mactan International Airport, take a ride to South Bus Terminal and get on a bus trip bound for Alcantara.
References
- DB Cantillas. Giant Fish of Alcantara. Preshispanic Cebu. November 3, 2023. Retrieved September 14, 2024
- Kaiser Jan Fuentes. Pasigarbo sa Sugbo 2023 contingents. Sunstar. August 27, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2024
- Balaanong Bahandi: Sacred Treasures of the Archdiocese of Cebu. Cathedral Museum of Cebu, Inc. and University of San Carlos Press. 2010. ISBN 978-9715390187. Retrieved September 15, 2024
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu. Retrieved September 15, 2024
Bahandi Festival Summary
Name Bahandi Festival Celebration Culture, Harvest, Religion Church San Agustin Parish Church Contact 0961 604 3739 Country Philippines Date August 28 Email garbosaalcantara@gmail.com Facebook web.facebook.com Location Alcantara, Cebu Organizer Municipal Government of Alcantara Patron St. Augustine
| Name | Bahandi Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Harvest, Religion |
| Church | San Agustin Parish Church |
| Contact | 0961 604 3739 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | August 28 |
| garbosaalcantara@gmail.com | |
| web.facebook.com | |
| Location | Alcantara, Cebu |
| Organizer | Municipal Government of Alcantara |
| Patron | St. Augustine |