Pasko sa Tanjay Festival
The Linapit Food Sharing Festival 2026 is expected to take place in late September to early October 2026 in Besao, Mountain Province, particularly in the villages of Agawa and Gueday. The celebration is deeply rooted in indigenous Cordilleran traditions and centers around the sharing of linapet (also spelled linnapet), a traditional rice delicacy prepared and shared among families, relatives, neighbors, and visitors.
Contrary to earlier generalized references linking the festival vaguely to Mindanao, reliable local and regional sources identify the festival as an important cultural tradition in Besao, Mountain Province in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
The festival reflects the Cordilleran values of:
Travelers interested in Cordillera culture may also enjoy Sagada Travel Guide and Adventure Tours and People of the Philippines and Their Culture.
Linapet is a traditional rice delicacy made from:
The delicacy is steamed or cooked and traditionally shared among families and guests during important community gatherings. In Besao culture, sharing linapet symbolizes unity, goodwill, generosity, and respect among community members.
Unlike many large commercial festivals in the Philippines, the Linapit Food Sharing Festival remains closely tied to indigenous cultural practices and communal participation.
According to reports from the Baguio Herald Express and local cultural references, the tradition has existed for generations among the people of Agawa and Gueday in Besao.
One of the festival’s most unique traditions is connected to the Gueday Stone Calendar, an indigenous astronomical marker used by elders to observe the position of the rising sun and determine the timing of agricultural activities and seasonal celebrations.
During the annual observance, elders gather before sunrise to witness sunlight striking specific points on the stone formation, signaling the traditional Feast of the Linapet. This practice highlights the deep relationship between indigenous knowledge, agriculture, astronomy, and seasonal rituals in Mountain Province culture.
In 2019, the National Museum documented the Gueday Stone Calendar and recognized it as an important cultural property, further strengthening awareness of the festival’s heritage significance.
One of the festival’s most important activities is the actual preparation of linapet.
Visitors can observe and sometimes participate in:
The activity reflects the communal nature of Cordilleran food traditions.
The heart of the celebration is the sharing of linapet with:
The act of giving food symbolizes respect, friendship, and social harmony within the community.
One of the festival’s most culturally important traditions is the early morning gathering at the Gueday Stone Calendar for sunrise observation.
This tradition reflects indigenous Cordilleran knowledge systems connected to:
Travelers interested in indigenous Philippine traditions may also enjoy Traditional Filipino Festivals You Must Experience at Least Once.
The festival is traditionally celebrated around September 29–30, although related cultural activities may continue into early October depending on the community schedule.
Mountain Province experiences cooler weather compared to lowland areas of the Philippines, making this period ideal for travelers interested in cultural tourism and mountain landscapes.
Travelers may also enjoy reading Ultimate Philippines Packing List for Every Season.
Festival visitors can also explore:
Adventure travelers may also enjoy First Time Hiking in the Philippines? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.
For official tourism updates, visit the Department of Tourism Philippines and the Mountain Province Provincial Government.
Philippines Travel Guide seeks to share the vibe of an authentic experience through our idea of adventure travel for explorers and memory seekers in the Philippines.
Subscribe our newsletter for more update & news !!
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved by Philippines Travel Guide.
