This year marked the 10th Burdang Lumban Festival that commenced with the Misa ng Pasasalamat at the San Sebastian Parish Church. The Trade Fair and Exhibit followed immediately where local producers displayed a collection of intricately embroidered and hand-painted items, including the iconic barong Tagalog, baro’t saya, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, and bridal accessories.
Such a rich heritage and colorful history should be celebrated—and Lumban does just that during their annual Burdang Lumban Festival. Held during the third week of September, local artisans and embroidery enthusiasts gather at the town’s multipurpose hall. Mayor Wilfredo Paraiso and his team at the Municipal Tourism Office organized this year’s 6-day event with the theme “Iburda Mo Lumbeno, Disenyong Papanday sa Makabagong Paraiso.”
Week-long festivity
It is during this week-long festivity that the people of Lumban proudly showcase the finest in embroidered products and cultural presentations.
Later that afternoon, these creations were brought to life as street dancers and representatives from neighboring schools and barangays paraded through the town center impressing tourists and spectators with their colorful and extravagant costumes. The much-anticipated Lumban Embroidery Association Fashion Show also took place during the week where a more intimate gathering of embroidery aficionados were able to enjoy the ingenious creations of the town’s home-grown designers.
The fun is not limited to the exciting world of embroidery. Aside from the numerous town attractions, there are a number of competitions and talent shows for the Lumbenos during the Burdang Lumban Festival.
This year’s contests included the Palarong Pambayan, Modern Dance Competition and Lumban Idol, Culinary Contest, Hand and Machine Embroidery and Barong Tagalog Painting Contests, Little Mr. and Miss Lumban, and Binibining Lumban 2011. Audience members enjoyed a closer look at the talented and friendly people who inhabit this hospitable town.
Through the week-long festivity, tourists enjoyed exploring Lumban’s rich history through art, food, and good old-fashioned camaraderie. A fitting finale was a spectacular fireworks show that entertained the local folk and their visitors.
Family affair
Embroidery is a family affair in Lumban, where techniques are pass from generation to the next. Close to a third of the current populatior contributes to the local embroidery industry, in one way or another. From raw materials to the finished product, decades of fine, high-qual products have given this small community a reputable name as the nation’s leader in the market sector of made-to-order goods and retail sales.
In commemoration of Lumban Founding Day, the Parada ng Bayan and Gawad Natatanging Lumbeno was held to recognize both the town and its people. The Municipal Government of Lumban paid tribute to its outstanding citizens and their contributions to the local economy and the communil at large. Mayor Paraiso played an active role throughout the festivity, even at the nightly Street Party that gathered youth an society members.
Lumban, one of the oldest towns in Laguna, rests on the easterly bank of Laguna de Bay. Named after the lumbang tree, Lumban was once the chief source of lumbang oil, which was primarily used for lighting and culinary purposes. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the origin of embroidery and hand painting in the Philippines, Catholic friars made the town the center of their missionary activities where many of today’s local artists can trace their roots. Craftsmen and, more importantly, embroiders have made Lumt home, bringing with them the title “The Embroidery Capital of the Philippines.”
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Tags: extravagant costumes, ingenious creations, machine embroidery, street dancers