Biniray Festival Bulalacao Mindoro Island
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Image courtesy Martyn Willes
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The Biniray Festival in Bulalacao, Or. Mindoro, is probably the most colourful festival in Mindoro Island. The two-day Biniray Festival celebrates the bounty of the sea, rivers & land, and indigenous culture with parades, dancing, feasts and displays.
Starting with the parade of boats, the Biniray Festival, takes visitors on a tour of the history and culture of southeast Mindoro, without ever leaving Bulalacao town. The boats are decorated each year according to a theme proposed by the fishermans’ association and almost every fishing boat in the community participates in a parade around Bulalacao Bay; upon returning to the town pier a feast of freshly caught seafood is offered along with dancing and merriment.
More parades through the town by schools and barangay groups mean that music and dance are found at every turn. The indigenous Mangyan peoples come down from the mountains of Bulalacao to offer samples of their native handicrafts and many wear their traditional loincloth dress so a fully charged camera battery is a must.
The main event during the second day of celebration is the competitive street dancing by all of the local schools. Costumes and choreography are the key to winning the competition but enthusiasm and enterprise play their part too. Audience applause can also be a factor in the final judging, so everyone is encouraged to loudly recognise outstanding performances and costumes.
The finale to the two-day Biniray Festival is the grand dinner hosted by the Mayor in the municipal games hall. Here the party goes on well into the night with more cultural and modern, dance and song.
If you want to visit just one festival in the Philippines, that truly extols the virtue and culture of provincial life, then the Biniray Festival in Bulalacao is the one to attend.
The Biniray Festival in Bulalcao, Mindoro, is held every year on 28th – 29th June.
Book early because accommodations are limited.
Bulalacao is also famous for its pure-white sand beaches that rival Boracay for their powder soft feel and appearance. Before or after the Biniray Festival explore Bulalacao by snorkeling around its thirteen magical islands – snorkeling Bulalacao is quite simply spectacular. Scuba diving is very special but you have to bring your own dive equipment as there is no dive shop in Bulalacao at this time. If you are a windsurfer or a kiteboarding fanatic then you will revel in the constant monsoon breezes that cross Bulalacao Bay year round.
How To Get To Bulalacao From Manila
- Take the Dimple Star bus to Bulalacao from Cubao, twice daily direct or,
- Fly to San Jose airport (Mindoro) from Manila airport (NAIA)
Take a tricycle or taxi from San Jose airport to the bus terminal in the city
Take a jeepney or bus to Bulalacao from San Jose
How To Get To Bulalacao From Boracay
- Take the ferry to Roxas town (Mindoro) from Boracay (Caticlan)
Take any jeepney or bus to Bulalacao from Roxas town
Links:
How To Fly to San Jose Airport Mindoro
Visit the Travel Bulalacao website for more information