Pintados de Passi Festival

The Pintados de Passi started out in 1999 as a way to remember the city’s part in our country’s heritage. Tattooing has long been a part of Visayan culture, even before the arrival of the Spaniards. Pintados, or painted man, was the term the Spaniards used to describe the men they saw on the island. Back then, it was seen as a show of bravery for men: the more tattoos you had, the higher your status is as a warrior.

Pintados de Passi is celebrated every third week of March. It is as much a way of recognizing Passi’s cityhood as it is a showcase of the city’s cultural heritage.

 

MARK OF BRAVERY. In the old days, these tattoos were seen as an indicator of your warrior status. Nowadays, it is a way for us to look back at the history of Passi City.

 

PRESERVE THE RIVER. Sinadya sa Suba, held the day before the Tribal Dance Competition, aims to show people why they should preserve the Jalaur River and the role it has played for the city of Passi.

 

Source: Doon Po Sa Amin, passinhon.com, Philippines Travel Hub, mybeautifulIloilo
Photos courtesy of: Passi City Info Page, Wikimedia Commons