Indang town in Cavite celebrates Irok Festival amid festive Christmas spirit

Amid the festive Christmas spirit, the town of Indang in Cavite celebrated its first-ever Irok Festival.

According to Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, the Irok Festival pays tribute to the irok tree or sugar palm, also known as kaong.

Dubbed the “tree of hope,” the kaong provides a source of livelihood for the community of Indang.

As the town celebrated the Irok Festival, it also marked the opening of the Christmas season, featuring a 7-meter giant Christmas tree, festive lights, and colorful lanterns as well as a Christmas food bazaar. 

“Isinabay na po namin ang pagapapailaw ng aming Christmas light. Kumbaga isa na rin 'ito sa highlight ng aming pagdiriwang ng Irok Festival,” said Indang Municipal Officer Marianito Nuestro. 

“Ang kahalagahan po ng Irok sa aming munisipyo ay pinagkukunan po sila ng kabuhayan ng aming kababayan na kung saan ito po ay maraming pakinabang mulo puno hanggang sa kaniyang bunga,” he added.

The Irok Festival also showcased local delicacies, such as the Kaong Pie and Kalamay Buna, sampled by the cast of “Sanggang Dikit FR,” which included Liezl Lopez, Matthew Uy, Seb Pajarillo, Kim Perez, and Jess Martinez.

Indang also held a food bazaar in the municipal grounds for the first time. It is open daily from 12 noon to 12 midnight

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News