Cagayan de Oro’s Higalaay Festival, formerly known as the Kagay-an Festival or Higalaay Kagay-an Festival, is a patronal festival that honors the city’s patron saint, St. Augustine, every August 28th held yearly.
Cagayan de Oro bursts into life every August with the month-long celebration Higalaay Festival. Dubbed as the “City of Golden Friendship,” the festival’s Cebuano name “Higalaay” means “friendship” It’s a festival that honors the city’s rich heritage, reaffirm its strong sense of community, and higalaay – friendship.
Rooted in Faith and Friendship: The festival’s story begins in the early 1900s as a humble religious celebration honoring St. Augustine, Cagayan de Oro’s patron saint. The date, August 28th, coincides with his feast day and remains a central focus of the festivities. Over time, the celebration embraced the city’s core value: friendship. “Higalaay” itself comes from the Cebuano word “higala,” meaning friend, a fitting title for Cagayan de Oro, known as the City of Golden Friendship.
A Month-Long Events and Activities in the City: Higalaay is a month-long celebration with events catering to all ages and interests. Foodies won’t want to miss the Kumbira Culinary Show, the Philippines’ longest-running culinary event, featuring delectable local dishes and competitions. The Kagay-an Oro Carnival Parade is held where barangays compete in street dance performances while local businesses and institutions participate and showcase Higalas Parade of Floats and Icons. A new special event happening is the Higalaay Festival Market that will line different stores and pop up shops along the Rio de Oro Boulevard. As a celebration ender, Pyrolympics is held and witnessed by the locals.
So join the vibrant celebrations, indulge in delicious local cuisine, and experience the spirit of Cagayan de Oro this August 2024!
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