Even those who’ve never visited the province of Rizal can easily picture the Higantes Festival. The giant puppets parading down the streets of Angono—with majorettes, dancers, and marching bands in tow—have become iconic. But why keep this fiesta just in your head? After all, it’s only an hour’s drive from Metro Manila! 

Love festival hopping around the Philippines? Here are some reasons you should experience the Higantes and Arts Festival for yourself in November.

Different theories try to explain how the Higantes Festival started, with most of them tracing back to Spanish colonial rule. 

Supposedly, the wealthy hacienderos of the late 1800s only allowed their hands to enjoy one festival a year. To make the most of the opportunity, the common folk took the art of papier-mâché they learned from the Spanish friars to create large puppets that caricatured the ruling class. It was something of a social commentary against the elites. The higantes were molded to look like they were issuing commands, complete with hands on their hips.

However, a study by Far Eastern University professor James Owen Saguinsin states that the higante was modeled after an imposing hacienda caretaker named Karias Tangkad, whom they wanted to mock. Saguinsin also believes that the first papier-mâché figure appeared only after WWII. Artist Carlos “Botong” Francisco asked Artemio Tajan to make a giant puppet to add more pomp to the parade. 

To this day, Tajan’s son, 73-year-old Leonardo, still constructs higantes for the festival. 

Are you looking for more double taps or TikTok likes? Capture some breathtaking content with the Higantes Festival. Where else will you see hundreds of giant 12-foot puppets in one setting? 

If you follow Saguinsin’s version of the festival’s origins, early processions featured only three puppets: a mother, a father, and a child. Fortunately, in the ’80s, Angono artist Perdigon Vocalan pushed to include more higantes in the fiesta, with each barangay having at least one puppet to represent its community. 

While many of the higantes stay true to that scornful-haciendero tradition, more modern creations have patterned their designs after celebrities, politicians, and other pop culture figures. 

This year’s Higantes Festival will be on November 17, Sunday, with participants gathering on M.L. Quezon Avenue (Kalabaw-Edenville).

The Higantes Festival, like many celebrations in the Philippines, pays tribute to a saint. In this case, it's San Clemente, whose feast day is November 23. As the patron saint of mariners, San Clemente is a fitting symbol for Angono, once a fishing village.

A large float carrying the image of San Clemente typically leads the parade, followed by young female dancers called parehadores. Clad in vibrant costumes and traditional wooden slippers, they carry sagwans (boat paddles) and joyfully shout: “Viva San Clemente!” The festival ends when the image returns to the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Saint Clement.

A key part of the festival is also the basaan, where people splash water on each other to represent blessings from the saint. 

Filipino hospitality is always at its finest during fiestas. Here you can sample all kinds of Filipino dishes  from staples like lechon, liempo, and pancit to more regional fare like itik (native duck), ginataang kuhol (snails stewed in coconut broth), sinabawang balut (fertilized duck eggs), and minaluto (the Angono version of paella). 

The streets are usually packed with vendors, but many homes also open their doors to visitors excited to try their region’s specialty cuisine.

This humble municipality is considered the country’s Art Capital. Supposedly, the Higantes Festival, with its hundreds of handcrafted puppets each taking one month to make, was the reason for this accolade.

Angono is the birthplace of National Artists Botong Francisco (Visual Arts – Painting) and Lucio San Pedro (Music) whose works are commemorated in the Angono Street Gallery along Doña Aurora Street, Barangay Poblacion Itaas. Numerous artists cast concrete murals to represent the two’s masterpieces. Francisco has a namesake museum on the same road. 

Angono is also home to the oldest known artwork in the Philippines—the Angono-Binangonan Petroglyphs. Discovered by Francisco in a 1965 field trip, this ancient treasure dates back to the late Neolithic period. It features 127 carvings of human and animal figures etched into a rock wall.

Those who don’t have provincial roots may never get to enjoy the singular experience of Philippine pistas. The parties, the floats, the warm hospitality, the sense of local pride? You only get that from these annual festivals. 

While the events of the Higantes Festival are spread out over two weeks, the main festivities are usually scheduled on the third weekend of November. However, if you want to maximize the celebration, here are some of the other activities to look forward to during the Higantes Festival:

On November 23, the image of San Clemente is taken to Laguna de Bay where it’s placed on a decked-out barge and paraded along the shoreline. It’s sometimes accompanied by other brightly decorated boats and pagodas.

The Philippines has a rich pageant culture, and these types of competitions are part and parcel of fiestas. Winners also receive the prestige of being named Higantes Festival King and Queen. Beyond their charisma, they serve as ambassadors of Angono’s vibrant culture and heritage. 

This year’s coronation is on November 9 at the Angono Municipal Gymnasium along Quezon Avenue.

Contests are scheduled in the weeks leading up to and after the main two days. You can find races, relays, fun runs and walks, dance battles, and more.

As the country’s official Art Capital, Angono uses the festival as a chance to showcase local artists. Mini galleries and exhibits will be set up around the municipality. Participating venues include Angkla Art Gallery, Nemiranda Art House, Angono Art Center, and SM Center Angono.

On November 16, 8 a.m., at Angono Lakeside Park, Angono artists between 7 to 12 years old will embark on an on-the-spot painting contest. You may be witnessing the next Botong Francisco!

While the Angono Tourism Board has yet to reveal its official program and calendar of events, you can bet there’s a concert or two involved. 

The Higantes Music Fest on November 16, 4 p.m., on M.L. Quezon Avenue will feature Hoteng & Co, Asian Cutie Albert Nicolas, K-Ram, Fliptop MC Jonas, Mary Letim, Jelai Angeles, and more.  

You can also expect musical performances from Flict G, Crazy Mix, Lordivino Ignacio, Ron Martin, Ryan Martin, Mamoth, Coach Barong, and Bigmak. Vlogger Wilbert Tolentino and former Sexbomb dancer Sugar Mercado are set to host another concert on November 17 at the same venue.  

Rizal is a rather underrated province. Despite being right next to Metro Manila, it isn’t as popular as farther coastal destinations, like La Union, Aurora, or Batangas. 

Rizal is a mountainous area, so adventurers can get a kick out of Masungi Georeserve, Hinulugang Taktak, and Tinipak River and Rock Formation. It’s also a favorite of cyclists thanks to its stunning views and varied climbs. 

If you’re an art lover who hasn’t had your fill after the murals of Angono, you can also drop by the Pinto Art Museum or the Blanco Family Museum. 

Locate every haunt and post every moment of your adventure! For international travelers, get the Globe Traveler eSIM via the GlobeOne app to enjoy all-access data and calls, plus texts to all networks.

Are you a local eager to dive deeper into Angono’s vibrant culture? The Prepaid 5G SIM bundled with Go+ Promos might be more your speed. It comes pre-loaded with 8 GB of data and unlimited all-net texts valid for a full week, and as a bonus, you’ll receive an additional 8 GB for your favorite apps!

Visit Angono for the Higantes Festival parade on November 17, but stay for what else Rizal has to offer. This province is a picture-perfect glimpse of the Philippines’ colorful and exciting fiesta culture.