The Ana Kalang Festival and the Kalang-Kalang Exhibit @ SM Sta. Rosa

The Ana Kalang Festival Exhibit at SM Sta. Rosa

Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan and I went malling last Sunday, June 27, 2010 at SM Sta. Rosa after her SPMY staffhouse visits. While still in the car, we passed by the mall entrance before going to the parking lot and I noticed beautiful and stunning giant statues made of native materials. It has called my attention and I decided to go to the area where I saw it and checked it out.

The giant statues of Ana Kalang Festival popularly known as Kalang-Kalang by Nagcarlenos

It was a beautiful exhibit on Ana Kalang Festival of Nagcarlan, Laguna. It was my first time hearing this so I read the information that was on the stand. The Festival is a 5-day celebration beginning on the first Wednesday of October every year. It commemorates the town's abundant harvest from their agro-industrial products.

Elvie Mesiona & Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan in front of the Ana Kalang Festival Exhibit

The name of the Festival originated from the name of the woman “Ana Kalang” who according to myth was known for her tremendous wealth, kindness, piety, and generosity. During her time, she was always around to help her town mates whenever in trouble. She was also popular among Spaniards. One day a Spaniard visited her house and saw from the window branches of lanzones fruit hitting each other. He asked Ana what was happening and Ana Kalang replied “Nagkakalang sila”. The Spaniards mispronounced the phrase until it became “NAGCARLAN”. So that’s how Nagcarlan, Laguna got its town’s name.

Elvie Mesiona & Nurul Nadia Mohd Roslan

The Kalang-Kalang were artistically designed and made by talented Filipinos

The Festival started in 1987 under the leadership of a culture and artistically inclined Mayor Demetrio Comendador and the Nagcarlan Community Development Council. From then on, this became part of Nagcarlan’s distinct culture.

The statues "Kalang-Kalang" are made of fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials carefully handcrafted by Filipinos. 

The Ana Kalang Festival highlights a unique folk art whose motif is the giant statue which Nagcarlenos call “Kalang-Kalang”. The statue is made of fruits, vegetables and other indigenous materials which are carefully and beautifully designed by schools, barangays, organizations, individuals who are participating in the Kalang-Kalang Contest. The statues are displayed in the Festival site during the 5-day celebration and paraded around the town during the closing of the Festivities.

Street Dancers at the Ana Kalang Festival, Nagcarlan, Laguna

Agro-industrial products at the Ana Kalang Festival

The main attraction of the festival is the grand parade and the street dancing contest. Dancers wear amazing native costumes and dance in the street with the giant Kalang-Kalang. Other attractions includes agro-industrial trade fairs, cultural shows, town’s historical and scenic tours, cooking contest, antique exhibit, garden show and beauty pagent.

It's great to learn about these facts and I am proud to say I am Filipino. The Philippines is rich in culture and many are gifted with artistic talents ! PINOY AKO ! :o)