Baragatan Festival 2025 – Rain, Rhythm, and Resilience in Palawan, Philippines

Each year, Palawan gathers its people to honor its culture, communities, and shared roots in a celebration known as Baragatan sa Palawan Festival. The word “Baragatan” comes from the Cuyunon language, meaning “a coming together.” It’s a fitting title for a festival that brings the entire province to Puerto Princesa — the capital — for a month-long series of performances, parades, and trade fairs.

In 2025, I had the privilege of witnessing a small but soul-stirring portion of the event. What was supposed to be a straightforward documentary outing turned into an unpredictable (and beautifully chaotic) visual experience — complete with heavy rains, battery failure, and last-minute improvisation.

The Scene on the Street

The street was alive with the sound of percussion, traditional gongs, and the rhythmic cheers of youth groups performing choreographed dances.

There were children painted in bold colors, women wearing embroidered baro’t saya, men in barong tagalog, and Muslim youth groups in coordinated outfits moving in sync to tribal drums. The outfits were rich in texture — woven fabrics, native beadwork, and delicate floral accents standing resilient in the face of tropical downpours.

I opened the day confident in my setup: Sony A1, prime lens, plenty of SD card space, and what I thought was a fully charged battery. But just fifteen minutes in, I saw the dreaded words: Battery Extinguished. Despite my battery initially reading 90%, it seems it had other plans. Lesson learned — next time, it’s genuine Sony OEM batteries, no questions asked.

I ducked into a nearby shop, found an outlet, and charged while reviewing early images. The break gave me a new perspective. I decided to approach the remainder of the day less like a documentary assignment and more like a street photography hunt — soaking in spontaneous moments, unplanned interactions, and visual contrasts between tradition and urban life.

March of Unity (Black and White) – A parade group from Palawan’s 40th Foundation Day marches with a banner, their spirits unshaken by the rain. I converted this shot to monochrome to emphasize contrast and emotion.

This clip shows the beginning of the street parade, with youth groups, color guards, and costumed dancers marching past the crowd. There’s a powerful sense of anticipation — both from the performers and the bystanders braving the drizzle.

Youth in Heritage Dress – Two young women walk past me, pausing just long enough to offer a proud glance. The warm tones of their woven garments pop against the cool, rain-darkened street.

A young man, dressed in a traditional Filipino outfit with vibrant lime green trousers and a cream-colored barong adorned with intricate green embroidery, smiles confidently as he walks in the Baragatan Festival 2025 parade. Beside him, a young woman in a beautifully patterned green terno dress shares the street, both framed against a bustling crowd gathered under overcast skies in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The damp pavement hints at recent rain, yet the festive spirit shines through in their expressions and attire. This image captures pride, heritage, and youthful joy amidst the celebration of Palawan’s cultural unity.

A group of young performers proudly marches down the rain-soaked streets of Puerto Princesa during the Baragatan Festival 2025. At the forefront, a smiling young woman in a cream and maroon Filipiniana dress exudes joy and confidence. Her hair is styled with a floral accessory, and her checkered sash flutters slightly as she walks. Behind her, men and women in matching green and cream traditional attire walk in formation, their vibrant costumes standing out against the overcast sky and muted street colors. The crowd in the background, gathered near a building adorned with colorful balloons, watches the parade unfold with enthusiasm. This image captures the cultural pride, festive spirit, and resilience of the performers amidst unpredictable weather.

Shot in steady rain, this segment features a youth group in coordinated checkered shirts and white headscarves performing a synchronized cultural routine. Their unity and enthusiasm in the face of the weather make this a standout moment.

Masked man in Purple Paint – Arguably the most arresting photo of the day: a young man covered in purple body paint, donning a handwoven mask, gestures playfully at the camera. This was raw, spontaneous, and folkloric — everything I love about documenting culture.

This video zooms in on the details: smiles, hand movements, colorful textiles, and the blur of movement as dancers pass. It’s not just a performance — it’s an embodiment of heritage. Expect slow pans, vibrant close-ups, and atmospheric street sound.

One of the most powerful scenes was a disciplined group of Youth Dance Troupe performing under steady rain. With soaked clothes and wide smiles, they danced with the same passion as if the sun had been shining.

Final Thoughts

The Baragatan Festival 2025 reminded me why I photograph — not just for aesthetics, but for storytelling. Palawan’s young people, elders, and artists didn’t let the rain stop them. Neither did I. What I came home with wasn’t just a folder of images and clips — it was a reminder that the truest stories often unfold when things don’t go as planned.