The Lalin Festival is a cultural and religious celebration held in Asturias, Cebu, Philippines, showcasing the town’s rich heritage and devotion to its patron saint, San Roque, every August 16.
The festival highlights the town’s colorful traditions, lively performances, and unique local customs, attracting both locals and visitors alike. It is a joyful expression of Asturias’ identity, featuring street dances, rituals, and displays that reflect the community’s strong connection to their history and faith.
As part of the larger Pasigarbo sa Sugbo, the Lalin Festival is a prominent event in Cebu’s cultural calendar.
Etymology
Lalin Festival is derived from the old name of the town of Asturias in pre-colonial times, which was Naghalin. Naghalin itself is thought to be derived from the Cebuano word “lalin” which means “to settle to or from another place.”
The festival thus reflects the town’s origins as people moved and established their community, and it connects Asturias’ history of migration and settlement with its cultural identity today.
Nevertheless, an alternative origin of the old town’s name is from “naghaling” which means “to kindle or to start a fire.” Some people point out that on the boundary between Asturias and Tuburan is a place called Bagakawa, a portmanteau of the local words “baga” (ember or fire) and “kawa” (vat or cauldron).
History of Asturias
Asturias, a municipality in the northwestern part of Cebu, has a rich historical background that dates back to the late 19th century. Originally, it was part of the town of Balamban and counted among its old barrios Its old barrios are Buenavista, Arpili, Cantuod, Murcia, Alcala, Granada, and Sarria.
Asturias became an independent town, or “pueblo,” in the late 1800s, following the granting of autonomy by the King of Spain. This move was influenced by the growing population’s desire for self-governance, and the town’s history was further marked by the signing of the King’s order in 1888.
Its parish was established through a Diocesan decree on May 9, 1885, with royal approval granted on January 30 of the same year.
References
- 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 January 2, 2025
- Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cebu. Retrieved January 2, 2025
- Elizaga, Troy. The Formation of Towns and Parishes in Cebu, Philippines. Retrieved via Academia on January 2, 2025
- Oaminal, Clarence Paul (January 26, 2018). The Vicariate of Western Cebu (Part 2). The Freeman. Retrieved January 2, 2025
- Daniel Drake Galan. Asturias in the Cebu northwest. Cebu Lifestyle. The Freeman. November 7, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2025
- Contingent #14 Lalin Festival. Sunstar. August 25, 2024. Retrieved January 2, 2025
Lalin Festival Summary
Name Lalin Festival Celebration Culture, Religion Church Parroquia de San Roque de Montpellier Contact (032) 265 7936 Country Philippines Date August 6 Email pio@asturiascebu.gov.ph Facebook www.facebook.com Location Asturias, Cebu Organizer Local Government of Asturias Patron St. Roch of Montpellier Religion Roman Catholic Website www.asturiascebu.gov.ph
| Name | Lalin Festival |
|---|---|
| Celebration | Culture, Religion |
| Church | Parroquia de San Roque de Montpellier |
| Contact | (032) 265 7936 |
| Country | Philippines |
| Date | August 6 |
| pio@asturiascebu.gov.ph | |
| www.facebook.com | |
| Location | Asturias, Cebu |
| Organizer | Local Government of Asturias |
| Patron | St. Roch of Montpellier |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Website | www.asturiascebu.gov.ph |