Everyone in La Carlota can Samba by Ayvi Nicolas
If you hear faint drum beating in the distance, that is the call of La Carlota. Around this time (May), the Drum beating City of beauty and Dance of the Philippines celebrates the Pasalamat Festival and it isn't a surprise if the Samba beat is being felt by the whole country right now. During the Pasalamat Thanksgiving Festival, La Carlota is transformed into one beating heart with the rhythm of the drums of its many tribes, the Samba steps on its crowded streets and the united vision and dreams of its people. La Carlota City is roughly 45 kilometers or approximately an hour's drive from Bacolod City. It's sweet success is largely attributed to its sugar cane plantations.
Among them is Nonoy Jalondoni Jr., a major political figure and celebrated percussionist. He was the man who started what can be one of the most original fiestas in the Philippines. Meant to be a show of gratitude for an abundant harvest, the Pasalamat Festival started as a lone drummer's call to unite his people. From a simple public performance on a makeshift stage in front of the City Hall, Nonoy Jalandoni Jr.'s gift of music to his beloved city became its greatest expression of gratitude to the Giver of ALL things. First of all, the Pasalamat Festival is a thanks-giving to God but it is also La Carlota's grand festival of talents. One of the most coveted achievements during the festival is the grand prize in the Bahandi ni Nonoy Jalandoni Rhythm Competition.
Tribus, or drumbeaters of every barangay both young and old, congregate at the heart of the city with their carabao-skin drums, congas and cowbells to face off and be recognized as the true culture bearers of the Drumbeating City. The most important day of the Pasalamat Festival is May 1. The morning kicks off with a Grand Parade of floats, street dancers, drumbeaters and beauty queens. After that the entire city gathers at the plaza for the Street dancing Competition and the Pawasak. Garbed in elaborate and colorful costumes, dancers of the Tribus of La Carlota face off in a display of skill, creativity and unity. The Pawasak, on the other hand, is the merriest moment during the festival. Music and drum beating would seem to go on forever and the dancing on the streets would seem to shake the entire Island of Negros.
La Carlota's Pasalamat Festival is the true Mardi Gras celebration in the Philippines and if you plan to join the amazing people of La Carlota, paint your face, wear a colorful costume and get ready to samba. During the Pasalamat Festival, everyone's moves to the rhythm of the La Carloteño drum. Last year, La Carloteños celebrated the Silver Anniversary of the Pasalamat Thanksgiving Festival through an elaborate showcase of its drum-beaters, dancers, homegrown talents, beauty queens, and sportsmen. But more than individual achievements, the festival was a grand display of the La Carloteño passion and creativity. Such an original festivity could only spring from a singular experience, one which the entire city shares. And that experience is the joy of music and dancing.
"God never puts a person in a space too small to grow in."
If you hear faint drum beating in the distance, that is the call of La Carlota. Around this time (May), the Drum beating City of beauty and Dance of the Philippines celebrates the Pasalamat Festival and it isn't a surprise if the Samba beat is being felt by the whole country right now. During the Pasalamat Thanksgiving Festival, La Carlota is transformed into one beating heart with the rhythm of the drums of its many tribes, the Samba steps on its crowded streets and the united vision and dreams of its people. La Carlota City is roughly 45 kilometers or approximately an hour's drive from Bacolod City. It's sweet success is largely attributed to its sugar cane plantations. Kapantay Ay Langit by Pilita
Among them is Nonoy Jalondoni Jr., a major political figure and celebrated percussionist. He was the man who started what can be one of the most original fiestas in the Philippines. Meant to be a show of gratitude for an abundant harvest, the Pasalamat Festival started as a lone drummer's call to unite his people. From a simple public performance on a makeshift stage in front of the City Hall, Nonoy Jalandoni Jr.'s gift of music to his beloved city became its greatest expression of gratitude to the Giver of ALL things. First of all, the Pasalamat Festival is a thanks-giving to God but it is also La Carlota's grand festival of talents. One of the most coveted achievements during the festival is the grand prize in the Bahandi ni Nonoy Jalandoni Rhythm Competition."Dahil Sa'yo" by Inigo Pascual
Tribus, or drumbeaters of every barangay both young and old, congregate at the heart of the city with their carabao-skin drums, congas and cowbells to face off and be recognized as the true culture bearers of the Drumbeating City. The most important day of the Pasalamat Festival is May 1. The morning kicks off with a Grand Parade of floats, street dancers, drumbeaters and beauty queens. After that the entire city gathers at the plaza for the Street dancing Competition and the Pawasak. Garbed in elaborate and colorful costumes, dancers of the Tribus of La Carlota face off in a display of skill, creativity and unity. The Pawasak, on the other hand, is the merriest moment during the festival. Music and drum beating would seem to go on forever and the dancing on the streets would seem to shake the entire Island of Negros."Araw Araw" by Ben@Ben
La Carlota's Pasalamat Festival is the true Mardi Gras celebration in the Philippines and if you plan to join the amazing people of La Carlota, paint your face, wear a colorful costume and get ready to samba. During the Pasalamat Festival, everyone's moves to the rhythm of the La Carloteño drum. Last year, La Carloteños celebrated the Silver Anniversary of the Pasalamat Thanksgiving Festival through an elaborate showcase of its drum-beaters, dancers, homegrown talents, beauty queens, and sportsmen. But more than individual achievements, the festival was a grand display of the La Carloteño passion and creativity. Such an original festivity could only spring from a singular experience, one which the entire city shares. And that experience is the joy of music and dancing."God never puts a person in a space too small to grow in."
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