Malasiqui: Days after the excitement and thrill of the street dance competition for the first Pagey Festival in this town, young people who participated recounted the lessons they learned, especially about agriculture. Harizon Tolin said they studied the process of pagey (rice) planting to be able to understand and execute the steps accurately for their dance performance.
According to Philippines News Agency, there was a total of eight contingents from the 73 villages, clustered or combined, each with 80 to 90 dancers and technical support staff. "Mahirap po pala ang magtanim ng palay. Natutunan po namin ito sa mga practice namin kaya super appreciated po namin ang mga farmer (Rice planting is not easy. We learned this in our practices, that's why we appreciate our farmers more)," Tolin said in an interview.
Sean Gabriel Cortez mentioned that the months-long preparation for the festivities inculcated in him discipline, patience, and teamwork. He noted that being from a farmland community has made him familiar with the rice planting process, and participating in the festival has deepened his appreciation for the culture and traditions of his community. Malasiqui is mainly agricultural, with significant hectares of plantation during both wet and dry seasons.
Rice program coordinator Reymundo Gural reported that despite weather disturbances last year, the town's rice harvest increased significantly. "During the first onslaught of weather disturbances, the rice production during that time was on vegetative stage but was able to recover following the calamity. During Uwan, the farmers have already harvested," Gural said, referring to the super typhoon that hit in November 2025.
The Pagey Festival, integrated with the town's annual fiesta honoring patron St. Ildephonse of Seville, also highlighted the community's devotion through performances that portrayed prayers during calamities and gratitude after disasters. Ken de Guzman, a farmer's son, shared his increased pride in his father's work through his involvement in the festival.
The festival also touched on the reality of seeking opportunities overseas, as reflected in the participants' performances. The Philippine Statistics Authority's 2022 Census indicated a decline in younger agricultural operators, highlighting the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Contingent No. 4, consisting of several villages, won the competition by portraying a family of agricultural workers. Their performance included modern farming techniques and equipment, emphasizing the balance between traditional and modern practices.
The Municipal Tourism Office plans to register the festival with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Mayor Alfe Soriano expressed hopes that the festival will encourage rice farming and celebrate the resilience of Malasiqui's agricultural community. "The festival showcases the hard work of Malasiqui's farmers, the importance of rice in local livelihood and food security, and the community's deep gratitude for nature's blessings," Soriano stated.
