See the photos: Makati’s Caracol Festival, a tribute to nature

Makati City, Philippines – Flowers, trees, and animals paraded the streets of Makati on Sunday, February 23, as residents donned bright and colorful nature-inspired costumes for the annual Caracol Festival.

A population of students and even senior citizens marched towards the Circuit Concert Grounds in Barangay Carmona, Makati, where the festival was held for a second time.

Headed by the Makati Museum and Cultural Affairs Office (MACAO), the Caracol Festival, also dubbed as the “Mardi Gras” of Makati, aims to promote awareness regarding environment conservation and flora and fauna preservation in the country.

Caracol (Spanish for snail, spiral) was conceptualized in 1986 and ushered in the Fiesta Islands Program of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in 1989.

“Pinapakita dito ang conservation ng Earth, conserve natin dito ang paligid, mga prutas, at mga hayop,” said Bienvenido San Miguel, 64, a senior citizen from Brgy. Poblacion who participated in the Caracol for the first time. (What is showed here is the conservation of the Earth, let us conserve our surroundings, the fruits, and the animals.)

Ana Martinez, 17, a student from Brgy. Pitogo said that through Caracol she was able to help promoting environment preservation by showcasing her talent.

“Naipapakita sa mga ibang tao na dito rin sa Makati ay mayroon pa ring unity at respect sa Mother Earth…para maipakita na rin ang talent namin,”  (We’re showing other people that there’s unity, and respect for Mother Earth here in Makati… we’re also showcasing our talents.)

“Para maipakita sa kanila kung gaano kahalaga ang nature kung paano maalagaan at mapapaganda ito,” said Vahn Artus, 23, from Brgy. East Rembo, who started participating at Caracol just last year. (So we can show them how important nature is and how we can take care of it an make it more beautiful.)

Aside from promoting environmental awareness, Caracol is also a way to boost the tourism of Makati.

“Yearly ginaganap ang Caracol, Mardi Gras festival ito para makahikayat at ma-improve ang turismo dito sa Makati,” said Brgy. Kasilawan chairwoman Kim Casal-Reyes, 37. (Caracol is a yearly event, a Mardi Gras Festival to improve and encourage people to support tourism in Makati.)

“Ito na rin ang chance na maipakita na sa Makati na tayo ay [may] concern sa Mother Nature.” (This is also our chance to show that we in Makati are concerned about Mother Nature.)

According to MCAO chief Ms. Rosalinda Cervantes, the highlight of the festivity wasa costume and dance competition. 12 groups competed this year, 3 in the elementary school category, 3 from high school, and 6 from Brgy. Clusters.

Here are other sights from the celebration.

All photos by Jay Ganzon / Rappler

– Rappler.com