Haw-as Festival

The Haw-as Festival is Dumangas’ annual celebration of its thriving aquaculture industry, particularly the harvesting of bangus (milkfish) and sugpo (prawns). The festival features street dancing, cultural presentations, and themed floats that highlight the importance of fishponds and coastal livelihoods to the community. 

Visitors can experience colourful performances, local delicacies, and exhibits showcasing agricultural and aquaculture products. The name “haw-as” comes from the local Hiligaynon word meaning harvest — especially the harvest of fish from fishponds / sea.

 The festival celebrates the bounty of the sea and land in Dumangas, especially the town’s abundant production of bangus (milkfish) and other seafood. It’s also a celebration of local culture, community, and history — including honoring the town’s heritage and the people whose livelihoods depend on aquaculture and agriculture. 

📅When & History 

The festival started as “Pahaw-as Festival” in 2002. In 2008, the festival was renamed to “Haw-as Festival,” and the town scheduling was set during the last week of October — now part of the municipality’s Culture and History Week. Typically, the festival runs for about a week. 

✅What Happens During the Festival (Key Activities) 

Street Dancing & Dance Competitions — Possibly the most vibrant part: tribal-style dance troupes called “gubans” (each comprising several barangays) perform choreographed dances depicting fishpond harvest, sea harvest, and community life. Costumes often reference fishing/harvest traditions. “Haw-as Guban” Competition — The centerpiece of the festival: Guban contingents compete in a big dance/dramatic presentation representing the harvesting (“haw-as”). Seafood / Bangus (Milkfish) Celebrations — Given Dumangas’s fishpond industry and status as a big milkfish producer, the festival features seafood — especially bangus — as a highlight. Fresh catch, grilling, seafood feasts often accompany the festival. Agri-Fisheries Expo / Local Products / Community Events — There are fairs, displays of aquaculture & agriculture products, local crafts, and community-centered activities to show the town’s livelihood and produce. Other Festivities — Nightly shows/bands, pageants (sometimes a “Haw-as Festival Queen”), possibly traditional games (“Laro ng Lahi”), plus a general community vibe of celebration and thanksgiving. 

🐟 Why It Matters / What It Celebrates For Dumangas 

Dumangas relies heavily on aquaculture — especially bangus/milkfish — and fishing is a central part of livelihood for many families. The festival is a thanksgiving and celebration of the harvest — both from the sea (fish) and from the land (agriculture) — acknowledging the importance of natural resources and community labor. It serves as a way to preserve and promote local culture, heritage, and tradition — including local history, communal identity, and arts (dance, performance, costumes). For visitors: it gives a glimpse into the everyday life of coastal/ fishpond communities in Iloilo — their work, their festivities, and their culture. 

📅 When/How to Join — What to Expect as a Visitor 

The festival happens last week of October annually. Expect a week of events: dance parades, seafood feasts, community fairs, culture-history exhibitions, night entertainment. It’s family-friendly and suitable for all ages. If you’re interested in local food — especially seafood or bangus dishes — this is a good time to enjoy real, home-grown catch coming from nearby fishponds/sea. As a visitor, you’d also experience local hospitality, culture, and maybe meet locals whose livelihood stems from fishing or aquaculture.