EL TORO FESTIVAL
The place named Polanco prior to its creation as a distinct municipality was in the beginning, only a small settlement inhabited by the native tribe known as the SUBANEN.
In the passing of time, people from other neighboring provinces like Negros, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and other nearby places, have fallen captive to the beauty of the place and resettled in and ventured for a greener pasture. The early inhabitants were responsible for the beauty of the place as they laboriously cultivated the land, thus giving them abundant harvest.
Since then, a substantial time of each and every Polanqueño revolves around farming as it become their way of life. Blessed with agricultural land and favorable climate suited for farming, local folks continuously enjoy heaven’s gift of agricultural resources and the overflowing abundant harvest of agricultural products like palay, corn and copra.
Amidst the abundance and agricultural success, Polanqueños come together in a fitting and festive occasion to offer thanksgiving or PASALAMAT.
Through the passing of time, this activity of thanksgiving was translated into a majestic, glaring and rightful colorful festival where it recognizes the contribution of the ever loyal and ever-reliable TORO or CARABAO behind all the agricultural bounty, thus, the festivity of EL TORO lives on.
Polanco’s El Toro Festival reflects the cultural, social, and spiritual interactions as it showcase the life of a Polanqueño that transformed the municipality from a humble beginning into a simple yet bountiful place.
EL TORO FESTIVAL…truly an expression of Polanqueños cultural pride preserved thru the passing of times…
PASALAMAT FESTIVAL “SINULOG SA POLANCO”
Pasalamat Festival comes from the word salamat which means thanks. This annual celebration began in 2000 and it is thanksgiving for the favors granted and blessings received from the Sto. Niño.
The image of the Holy Child arrived in 1521 when it was gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to the wife of chieftain of Cebu. It was rediscovered by a Spanish sailor of the expedition of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi in an abandoned hut that was spared from fire in 1565. Its devotion spread from Cebu to other parts of the country.
Pasalamat Festival is a cultural and religious festival in the Municipality of Polanco, Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines every last Sunday of January. It is held in honor of Sto. Niño and as a municipality-wide cultural affair that celebrates tradition and identity.
Pasalamat Festival is an affair jointly mounted by the municipal-government and the local Roman Catholic authority. Religious activities of Pasalamat Festival include the novena prayers for nine days and celebration of Holy Eucharist.
The municipal-government sponsored events include entertainment, cultural presentations, Sinulog Street Dance, Pasalamat Queen and Pasalamat Street Dancing Competition.