The Cebu Provincial Government will bring the religious traditions and festival culture of Cebu’s towns and cities to the heart of the province through Halad sa Pagtuo 2026.
The celebration will feature a procession of patron saints followed by festival presentations from participating localities. Unlike traditional festival competitions, the event will not rank or judge the participating contingents.
Organizers expect around 50 carozzas representing communities across Cebu. Each carozza will carry the patron saint of its respective locality during the religious procession.
Seven localities have volunteered to present their festivals: Sinulog sa Carmen, Tuba Festival of Borbon, Bisnok Festival of Dumanjug, La Torta Festival of Argao, Hinulawan Festival of Toledo, Dagitab Festival of Naga City and Kabkaban Festival of Carcar City.
The presentations will serve as showcases of each locality’s festival traditions rather than competitions.
The religious aspect will remain at the center of the celebration, with parish priests from participating communities invited to join their devotees and contingents during the procession.
The priests are also expected to concelebrate the Mass and bless the carozzas.
The event will be open to the public without an entrance fee.
The provincial tourism office expects about 10,000 spectators, but organizers will control access to the venue because of the expected crowd.
Admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers will separately announce when public entrances will open and how spectators can gain access.
The procession will assemble at ITAX, located behind the Cebu Provincial Capitol Executive Building.
From ITAX, the carozzas will proceed to the Cebu Provincial Capitol grounds before taking Osmeña Boulevard toward the Cebu City Sports Center.
Motorists and commuters will not face a full road closure during the procession. Organizers said only one lane will be used.
Spectators will have a designated entrance at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The entrance on the St. Vincent Hospital side will be used by the carozzas, while the entrance between City Central and Abellana School will accommodate the general public and spectators.
An entrance beside the Kalubihan Barangay Hall, in front of ACT, will be reserved for officials and invited VIP guests.
Halad sa Pagtuo 2026 will bring together Cebu’s patron saints, religious traditions and local festivals in one gathering, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to experience the province’s faith and cultural heritage beyond its traditional fiesta competitions.
Photo courtesy of Cebu Province / Facebook
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