I attended the Higantes Festival in Angono with two friends last year, and I am writing this planning guide for the 2026 edition. The giants, the water and the wooden clatter of the parade are easy to enjoy if you plan around the road closures and the crowds.
Key Takeaways
- The Grand Parade steps off on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM from SM Center Angono, not on November 22.
- The Feast of San Clemente falls on Monday, November 23, with a 6:00 AM Mass and an afternoon fluvial parade on Laguna de Bay.
- Watching the parade costs nothing, because the LGU Angono runs it as a free street event with no ticketed grandstands.
- Arrive by 5:30 AM if you want a clear spot on M.L. Quezon Avenue, since the steps along the avenue fill up by 6:00 AM.
- Expect to get soaked from the basaan, and park at SM Center Angono because M.L. Quezon Avenue and Doña Aurora Street close to vehicles.
Table of Contents
What is the Higantes Festival in Angono?
The Higantes Festival is a month-long celebration in Angono, Rizal, the town known as the Art Capital of the Philippines. Its centerpiece is a parade of giants, each about 10 to 12 feet tall, carried through the streets every November.
When I stood beside them, the giants were heavy, rigid and glossy, with painted faces about as tall as a second-floor window. The people carrying them see very little, so I kept my distance as they passed.
Angono is 20 to 25 km from central Metro Manila, which makes the festival a workable day trip. The town is also home to artists such as Carlos “Botong” Francisco.
Why do the giants have scowling faces and hands on their waists?
The giants began as satire. In the late 19th century, Angono was a hacienda, and the Spanish landowners barred large gatherings except for the annual fiesta honoring San Clemente.
Townspeople used that one permitted day to build giant effigies with arrogant poses and scowling faces, mocking the landlords. After World War II, the tradition shifted into a community thanksgiving.
Who revived the festival, and what are the giants made of today?
In the 1980s, the late artist Perdigon Vocalan revived and expanded the festival. He proposed that each of Angono’s 13 barangays build its own higantes to represent local trades, legends and personalities.
The figures once used clay molds and paper, but many are now plaster of Paris, resin and fiberglass. That makes them durable enough for the crowds and the water, though some purists miss the original craft. For a wider look at the region, see these Rizal tourist spots.
When and where is the Higantes Festival in 2026?
The festival runs through November, and the two dates that matter are the parade on November 15 and the feast on November 23. The Angono LGU separated them, so the parade is not on Sunday, November 22, and arriving then means missing it by a week.
Everything happens in the Poblacion, the town center of Angono. The parade starts at SM Center Angono on Manila East Road, turns onto M.L. Quezon Avenue, and ends at the Angono Municipal Plaza and Gymnasium area.
Why is the festival held for San Clemente?
San Clemente is the patron saint of mariners and fishermen, and Angono sits on the shores of Laguna de Bay. The town honors him in gratitude for the lake’s bounty, which sustained its economy for generations.
The basaan, the splashing of water on participants and bystanders, ties into the same devotion. It works as a communal blessing, and nobody near the route stays dry. If you enjoy this kind of event, my guide to festivals in the Philippines covers more.
Why is the Higantes Festival celebrated?
Angono celebrates the festival to honor San Clemente and to show off its artistic heritage. The two sides run together: the Mass and the fluvial procession on one side, the giants and the street dancing on the other.
Why does San Clemente matter to Angono?
The lake fed the town, so Angono thanks its patron saint every year.
The feast falls on November 23, a local holiday in Angono. The day starts with a solemn Fiesta Mass at 6:00 AM at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement. In the afternoon, the image of the saint travels on a pagoda across Laguna de Bay.
How does art fit into the celebration?
Angono’s art is on show all month. Each of the 13 barangays builds its own higantes, an idea Perdigon Vocalan championed in the 1980s, and the parade now features hundreds of giants.
Is the festival religious or secular?
It is both. The feast, Mass and fluvial parade are religious, while the Grand Parade is the secular, artistic side. The town now holds them on separate days, so you can see one or both.
What can I expect at the festival?
Expect crowds of tens of thousands, heat, and water from every direction. The festival runs through November, and the Grand Parade on Sunday, November 15 is the busiest day.
What activities are there?
The parade is the main event, but the month has more:
- The Higanteng Fun Run and Zumbasaan fitness event on November 14.
- The Higantes Grand Parade with brass bands and parehadoras.
- Street cheer competitions, the Stop Dance and the Street Dance Exhibition.
- Fireworks over M.L. Quezon Avenue after the parade.
- The Fiesta Mass and the fluvial parade on November 23.
- Souvenir stalls around the municipal plaza. Ang Nuno Gallery, established by Perdigon Vocalan, also sells small higante souvenirs.
What is the 2026 festival schedule?
The Grand Parade is on Sunday, November 15, 2026 at 7:00 AM, not November 22. The Angono LGU separated the parade from the feast, so anyone following the old “Sunday before the feast” pattern arrives a week late. This year’s theme is “Higante at Sining: Ugat ng Kalinangan, Sagisag ng Pagkakaisa,” and the official calendar runs from October 30, 2026 to January 1, 2027.
Key dates for visitors
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct 31 (Sat) | Parada ng mga Higante at 4:00 PM at the Angono Municipal Plaza, festival launch at 6:00 PM and Halloween costume contest at 8:00 PM at the Angono Municipal Ground |
| Nov 3 to 30 | Mga Larawan ng Pista photo exhibit, 10:00 AM, 3rd Level Artwalk, SM Center Angono |
| Nov 4 (Wed) | 114th birth anniversary of National Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco, 9:00 AM, Mountain of Eternal Peace |
| Nov 7 (Sat) | On-the-spot painting contest by the Angono Ateliers Association, 8:00 AM, Angono Gymnasium |
| Nov 13 (Fri) | Kanduli cooking contest at 9:00 AM at Plaza Rizal, Sumayaw Sumapuso dance contest at 7:00 PM at the Municipal Gymnasium |
| Nov 14 (Sat) | Higanteng Fun Run at 4:00 AM in front of SM Angono, Zumbasaan at 7:00 AM at Yupangco Open Court, Pista ng Kalikasan at 8:00 AM at Paso Bridge |
| Nov 15 (Sun) | Grand Parade day (full schedule below) |
| Nov 18 to Dec 2 | Arts Festival and Gunita kay Ligaya, 6:00 PM, Angono Gymnasium |
| Nov 21 (Sat) | International Art Exchange, 8:00 AM, Angono Municipal Gym |
| Nov 22 (Sun) | Bisperas Mayores, 7:00 AM, Rainbow Village |
| Nov 23 (Mon) | Angono Town Fiesta Mass at 6:00 AM at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of St. Clement; fluvial parade in the afternoon (time depends on tides and weather) |
| Nov 27 (Fri) | Higantes Music Fest, 6:00 PM, M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| Nov 28 (Sat) | Tawag ng Kantahan, 6:00 PM, Angono Municipal Ground |
| Nov 29 (Sun) | Gabi ng Pagtatanghal by Dugong Angono Teatro Artist, 5:00 PM, Angono Municipal Grounds |
| Dec 11 (Fri) | Fiestavaganza sa Higantes Festival, 5:00 PM, M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| Dec 12 (Sat) | Ginoo at Binibining Angono 2026, 6:00 PM, Angono Municipal Gym |
| Jan 1, 2027 (Fri) | Angono Day, 87th anniversary of the town’s separation from Binangonan, 8:00 AM, Angono Municipal Hall |
Grand Parade day: Sunday, November 15
| Time | Event | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Higanteng Zumba | Angono Municipal Ground |
| 7:00 AM | Higantes Festival Grand Parade | Starts at SM Center Angono |
| 9:00 AM | Higanteng Yell | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 9:30 AM | Higantes Stop Dance and Street Dance Exhibition | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 9:30 AM | Drum and Lyre Exhibition | Angono Municipal Ground |
| 10:00 AM | Launch of the BSP Pista ng Pilipinas commemorative coin | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 1:00 PM | Balaw-Balaw Cooking Contest and Itik Cooking Festival | Angono Gymnasium |
| 2:00 PM | Marching Band Competition | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 4:00 PM | Higantitos Fashionista Contest | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 5:00 PM | Itik Eating Contest | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 5:30 PM | Burger Eating Contest | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 6:00 PM | Awarding of winners | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 7:00 PM | Fireworks display | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
| 7:30 PM | Higantes Tugtugan Night | M.L. Quezon Avenue |
A few things elsewhere in the article now conflict with the calendar:
- The fluvial parade isn’t on the official calendar. The Nov 23 entry lists only the 6:00 AM fiesta Mass. I kept your fluvial line, but it’s worth confirming with the Tourism Office before publishing.
- “Month-long celebration” and “runs through November” (intro and two other sections) are inaccurate now, since events run from Oct 30 to Jan 1.
- The Oct 31 launch venue in your old table said Municipal Gymnasium; the calendar says Municipal Ground, which I’ve corrected above.
- The Oct 31 Parada ng mga Higante is a second chance to see the giants. Consider adding it to the activities list and Key Takeaways.
- “Where can I get official schedule updates?” says the calendar comes out Oct 31. It’s already out, so that line can be updated to point readers to the published calendar.
What are the main highlights?
Three things stand out: the parade, the fluvial procession and Angono’s art scene. Each one feels different on the ground.
What is the Grand Parade like?
The giants step off at 7:00 AM from SM Center Angono, turn onto M.L. Quezon Avenue, and finish at the Angono Municipal Plaza and Gymnasium, where the judging takes place. When I watched, the giants looked glossy, rigid and heavy, about as tall as a second-floor window.
At the staging area near SM, handlers lined up the giants while the bands tuned up. It was relaxed and good for close-up photos before the crowds built.
Keep your distance as they pass. The operators inside carry heavy loads and can barely see.
What is the basaan like?
Buckets and hoses came from the windows, and I was soaked within minutes. My phone survived in a clear waterproof pouch inside a dry bag. I wiped the lens constantly.
What do the parehadoras sound like?
Parehadoras march in wooden slippers (bakya) and carry boat paddles. The clack was loud and steady, and I felt it through the ground even over the brass bands.
What is the fluvial parade?
It is the religious high point on November 23, when the image of San Clemente rides a pagoda on Laguna de Bay in the afternoon. Local crowds are large, but fewer outside tourists come. The time shifts with tides and weather, so check the local government’s posts for the final call.
What art can I see?
Angono is compact, so I paired the parade with a gallery stop. The Blanco Family Museum was quiet and cool inside when I went around 2 PM, and a good place to dry off after the basaan. I paid PHP 150 per adult. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
For a longer visit, my Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo guide covers another gallery stop nearby.
What should I wear to the festival?
Wear quick-dry clothes and secure closed-toe shoes, because you will get wet. I wore secure sandals. The asphalt was hot by 9:00 AM and slippery once the water started flowing.
What should visitors wear and bring?
Skip denim, which gets heavy and chafes when wet. Shade is scarce on the route, so pack for sun and splashing.
- Quick-dry athletic clothing.
- Closed-toe aquatic shoes or secure sandals.
- A waterproof dry bag for phone and cash.
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- A reusable water bottle.
I made one mistake: I carried a regular backpack. Next time I will bring a chest bag and a dry bag.
What do the locals wear?
Parehadoras wear bakya and carry paddles, which reflects the town’s fishing identity.
How do I get to Angono from Metro Manila?
Angono is 20 to 25 kilometers from central Metro Manila, and the trip takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours. I left Cubao at 4:30 AM with two friends and the ride took 2 hours. Leaving after 5:30 AM on parade day roughly doubles the travel time.
| Departure point | Ride | Fare |
|---|---|---|
| SM Megamall | UV Express to Angono | PHP 55 |
| Araneta Center Cubao | UV Express to Angono | PHP 50-55 |
| Starmall EDSA Shaw | Jeepney or UV Express | PHP 40-52 |
| LRT-2 Antipolo/Masinag | Jeepney via Tikling | PHP 30-35 |
UV Express vans run point to point with fewer stops than jeepneys. Drivers sometimes charge special-trip prices during big festivals, so ask the fare before you board.
If you drive, take Ortigas Avenue and Ortigas Avenue Extension through Pasig, Cainta and Taytay, then Manila East Road. From Taguig or Makati, C6 Road is an alternative. There are no tolls. Park at SM Center Angono, where mall parking runs roughly PHP 50, then walk or take a tricycle. The tricycle from SM to the M.L. Quezon Avenue viewing area took me about 10 minutes.
Where should I eat in Angono?
Fried itik on M. Diaz Street is the easy choice after the parade. I waited in a line of about 15 minutes at 12:30 PM. Fried Itik Lane sits beside the Angono Gymnasium, and a whole duck costs roughly PHP 160.
Balaw-Balaw on Doña Justa Street serves exotic dishes like Uok (coconut worms), plus traditional stews for less adventurous eaters. Meals run PHP 300 to PHP 600 per person. Book ahead during festival season.
Around 6:45 AM, I ate fishballs and barbecue from street vendors. Everything came in paper cups or on sticks with paper wrappers, and I saw no styrofoam. If you plan a longer Antipolo stay, see my notes on where to eat in Antipolo.
What safety rules and local etiquette should I know?
Treat the crowd, the wet road and the phone network as the three real hazards. Here is what I learned on the ground:
- The sun was hot by 9 AM and the wet asphalt was slippery. I wore secure sandals and was glad.
- Phone data dropped for about an hour, so I paid cash for everything. Agree on a meeting point with your group before you enter the crowd.
- The ATM by the plaza was empty by 11 AM. Withdraw at SM first, and carry PHP 50 and PHP 100 bills.
- Use the SM Center Angono toilets before heading in. I waited about 10 minutes, and public toilets in town are scarce.
- Keep a safe distance from the giants. The operators carry heavy loads and see little.
- Alcohol sales are limited to 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and drinking in streets is prohibited.
- Fly a drone only after coordinating with the Angono Public Safety Office and the Tourism Office. Unauthorized flights risk confiscation.
- Ordinance 11-618 bans single-use plastics and styrofoam. The ABAKA task force issues on-the-spot littering fines.
My mistake was a regular backpack. Next time I would carry a chest bag and a dry bag, which also guards against pickpockets.
For emergencies, call the Angono MDRRMO at (02) 542-1772, the Angono Police Station at (02) 651-0061 or 295-7998, or the Tourism Office at (02) 661-3646.
Where can I get official schedule updates?
The Angono LGU and the Angono Municipal Tourism Office release the final calendar on October 31. Check the Angono Municipal Government festival page and their Facebook pages. Check museum Facebook pages 24 hours before you visit, since private galleries may adjust hours on the feast day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Higantes Festival parade on November 22 in 2026?
No. The Grand Parade is on Sunday, November 15, at 7:00 AM. The feast of San Clemente, with the Mass and fluvial parade, falls on Monday, November 23.
Is the Higantes Festival free?
Yes. The parade is a free public street event run by the LGU. The Angono Petroglyphs and the Botong Francisco House are also free, while the Blanco Family Museum charges PHP 150 for adults.
Will I get wet at the festival?
Yes. When I went, buckets and hoses soaked me within minutes. Seal your phone in a dry bag and wear quick-dry clothing.
Are the higantes still made of paper?
Not mostly. Many barangays now use resin and fiberglass over aluminum frames. The ones I saw up close had glossy painted faces and stood about as tall as a second-floor window.
Can I visit museums on parade day?
Yes, in the afternoon. I reached the Blanco Family Museum around 2 PM. It was quiet and cooler inside, a good place to dry off.
