Annual Himuloan Festival held in Ocampo Parish

By Fidela Malaluan

The 17th Himuloan Festival is a program of the Parish of St. Bernard Abbot. It is conducted every 18th day of August. It aims to strengthen and manifest the generosity of Ocampoanons to our least fortunate brothers and sisters by sharing the fruits of the land and part of their labor. They gather their himulo, offerings, and arrange them decoratively and artistically in a cart, padyak or any vehicle to serve as a float. Participants are also highlighted in a parade in their Filipiniana attire.

The goods gathered, which are primarily agricultural products and grocery items, are given to Himuloan recipients: charitable institutions, seminaries and poor parishes.

The festival was inspired by the celebration of the Corpus Christi. It is previously known as the Tinagba Festival which owes its origin to the pioneering efforts of Rev. Fr. Jaime Danilo Ll. Viola. Subsequently, it has gained positive support from the succeeding parish priests: Rev. Fr. Balbino B. Gumabao, Jr., the late Rev. Fr. Rey Caceres and Rev. Fr. Bernie Anthony V. Ramirez, respectively. Over the years, it has flourished, manifesting  aoverwhelming support not only from the people of Ocampo but also from neighboring communities. 

This year, the organization of the Festival was spearheaded by the Parish Pastoral Council in collaboration with the Local Government Unit of Ocampo, 14 BPCs (Barangay Pastoral Councils), ROMMs, 25 BLGUs (Barangay Local Government Units), 20 elementary and 4 secondary schools including private schools of  the Department of Education Ocampo District, civic organizations, fraternities and sororities, alumni associations, stakeholders, and parishioners who love to share and honor our Patron Saint on his feast day through this Festival, as a gesture of thanksgiving.

Hopefully, the Himuloan Festival will continue, through God’s grace, to serve as a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and generosity which enables us to demonstrate our dedication to spreading love and kindness to those in need, embodying the values of empathy and compassion in the service of the community.