A celebration of the birth of a new history and culture of the people of Guimbal as a tribute and reverence to the triumphant struggle of its ancestors for meaningful existence.The magic of the Gimba (drum) and the Bantayan (watchtower) are the major features of the festival. The festival also features dance drama, drum, float & street dancing competition, cultural shows, beauty pageant, paraw & boat racing, fluvial parade, musical concerts and many other presentations.

The Bantayan Festival serves as a memorial to the town of Guimbal’s past, and a veneration to the vigilance, bravery and heroism of its founding fathers. The history of the Guimbalanons’ struggle should be celebrated so that the younger generations will know how their forefathers have sacrifice a lot for the safety of the town. Its return to significance gave birth to the annual celebration of Bantayan Festival which was conceptualized and started in 2003.

At the heart of the Bantayan Festival is the re-enactment of battles between the natives of Guimbal and the Muslim pirates. The progressive and peaceful municipality of Guimbal offer their triumphs as homage to their patron saint, as well as a thanksgiving for its rich heritage.

 

Activities

The festival starts at the church with a thanksgiving mass and followed by many exciting events:

• Opening parade and street dancing competitions
• Search for Miss Bantayan Festival
• Tribal Dance drama competition
• Cultural shows
• Beauty pageant
• Paraw and boat racing
• Pinta Lawas
• Re-enactment of the Moro Raids
• Fluvial parade
• Musical concerts