It was another year of Fat Tuesday celebration and the town of Paoay in Ilocos Norte recently celebrated Guling-guling Festival. It is an annual festivity to signify the last day of merrymaking before the observance of the Lenten Season by the Catholic community. Guling-guling is the Ilocano term for smearing a cross on the forehead with white rice flour symbolizing purification of oneself from past sins.
This festival was introduced by the Spanish friars in the 16th century and thereby being celebrated for over 400 years now. This is a much more somber celebration compared to other celebrations in the world such as in New Orleans and in Brazil.
The Ilocandia Photographic Society (TIPS) members did not pass this event because they consider this as one of the best festivals in the province. They covered the assembly of dancers from the beginning point to their exciting street dancing, to the dramatic smearing highlight by the mayor, to the fabulous dance showdown and to the grand fireworks display.
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