Cavite - Maytinis Festival 2012, a Well-loved Caviteño Tradition

An old Caviteño tradition, the Maytinis Festival is an annual Christmas Eve event organized by the "Confradia de Sagrada Familia" in collaboration with the parish priest in the town of Kawit, province of Cavite. People from Kawit, other towns and visitors from nearby provinces, flock to this town to witness the event. The procession started with a fireworks display at around 6:00 PM in Aguinaldo Shrine.

The highlight of the festival is the spectacular recapping of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary's search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The lady and the man portraying the role of Mary and Joseph sing to the music played by a live band as they find their way to the manger which can be found at the town church.


One of the "Panunuluyan" scenes
It is also an interpretation of the history of mankind's salvation depicted in several biblical scenes taken from the Old to the New Testaments with characters portrayed by Kawiteños in glittering and gigantic floats.

Each float is followed by kids from each participating barangay wearing biblical costumes.

Every float is also accompanied by a live marching band playing Christmas carols which gives more joy and fervor to the spectators.

For this year, there are more than a dozen floats participated, namely Eba at Adan; La Purisima Concepcion; Noeh at ang Baha; Ang Pagliligtas sa Sanggol na Moises; David at Goliath; Ruth and Noemi; Samson at Delilah; Infanta Judith; Reyna Ester; Ang Pangako ng Dios kay Zacarias; Pagbati ng Anghel Kay Maria; Pagdalaw ni Maria kay Elizabeth; Panunuluyan; Pagbabalita ng Anghel; and Inang Pilipinas.

Eba at Adan

La Purisima Concepcion

Noeh at ang Baha

Ang Pagliligtas sa Sanggol na Moises

David at Goliath

Ruth and Noemi

Samson at Delilah

Infanta Judith

Reyna Ester

Ang Pangako ng Dios kay Zacarias

Pagbati ng Anghel Kay Maria

Pagdalaw ni Maria kay Elizabeth

Panunuluyan

Pagbabalita ng Anghel

Inang Pilipinas

The procession ended at the town church where the Christmas eve mass was held.

St. Mary Magdalene Church

Church's Altar

It is truly an excellent Caviteño interpretation of the ancient biblical episodes and the search of Mary and Joseph for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The much loved tradition gathers families, friends and visitors to celebrate Christmas Eve in Kawit Cavite.

With my High School friends

For more photos, check out Pinoy AdvenTurita FB Page.

HOW TO GET THERE
From Lawton in Manila or Baclaran in Parañaque, take an airconditioned bus bound for Cavite City. It passes by the town of Kawit, fare is 30-40 pesos and travel time is around 1 hour depending on traffic condition. Please be reminded to come early as main roads in Kawit are closed to vehicles a few hours before the festival starts at around 6:00 in the evening.