The Palawod Festival is annually held every June 29 in Bantayan. The fiesta honors the saints Peter and Paul.

The Palawod Festival of the municipality of Bantayan Isand, Cebu comes from the word "palawod". "Palawod" is a Visayan word which means "to go out to sea to fish". The festival depicts the unique fishing traditions of Bantayan. Fishing is the island's main industry even before it became a tourist spot.

Like any other fiesta celebrated in the country, Palawod Festival is celebrated with street dancing, colorful costumes and lots of food. The ritual showdown competitions are performed with 4 basic steps: sulo (torch), bugsay (paddle), silik (fins) and isda (fish).

The festival is touted as one of the most colorful and world-class festival celebrations of Cebu. Bantayan is the largest of the 3 towns in Bantayan Island. It is the center of trade, arts and culture.

The Palawod Festival holds the singular honor of being the 3-time grand champion of the province wide "Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival of Festivals" competition.

How to Get There

From Manila, you can fly to Cebu (estimated cost of Php3,000++, round trip, 45 minutes). From Mactan-Cebu International Airport, you can take a cab from a taxi line and ask to be dropped off to the North Bus terminal. You can take either a bus (cost around Php150++ per head, air-conditioned) or van-for-hire (cost around Php150 per head on normal season) going for Hagnaya in the terminal. From the Hagnaya port, get on a roro or ferry (cost around Php170 per head) that docks at Sta. Fe Wharf of Bantayan Island. To go around Bantayan, you can ride a pedicab or tricycle (around Php20 per head). You can also rent motorcycles for Php350 per day.

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photos/source/reference:
bantayan.gov.ph
cebu.gov.ph