Passini Kat Aborlan 2025 brings four days of faith, dance, and community to southern Palawan from September 28 to October 1, honoring Aborlan’s patron, St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, with a lively blend of parish rites, street parades, cultural shows, agri-trade fairs, pageants, and plaza concerts. Regional festival calendars and compiled national lists align on the dates and character of the celebration, describing it as a socio-cultural fiesta where religious processions meet folk and street dancing in indigenous-inspired costumes, framed by the town’s coastal-agricultural identity. Expect mornings at market stalls, afternoons with choreographed performances, and evenings of music and variety on the municipal stage as Aborlan welcomes residents and travelers to share in its patronal feast.
Dates, place, and meaning
- When: September 28 to October 1, 2025, anchoring on the October 1 feast day of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Aborlan’s patron saint. Multiple sources list the same four-day window for Passini Kat Aborlan.
- Where: Aborlan, Palawan, about an hour’s drive south of Puerto Princesa along the South National Highway, with festivities centered around the parish, municipal plaza, and adjacent streets.
- What it celebrates: A “socio-cultural celebration of the feast of patron St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus” that combines novena and Mass with community parades, cultural presentations, and fairs that showcase Aborlan’s people and produce.
What to expect across four days
- Religious rites and procession: Parish-led novena and a feast day Mass on October 1 set the spiritual heart of the festival, followed by a procession bearing the image of St. Thérèse through decorated streets, echoing the patronal fiesta tradition across the Philippines.
- Street and folk dancing: Contingents from schools and barangays perform choreographies in colorful, indigenous-inspired attire, a hallmark highlighted in local event calendars that track Palawan’s fiestas.
- Agri-trade and food fair: Stalls feature farm harvests, cashews, seafood, handwoven crafts, and local delicacies, offering a direct taste of Aborlan’s coastal and agricultural life.
- Sports, pageants, variety: Basketball or volleyball exhibitions, talent competitions, and a search for festival royalty usually round out daytime schedules, leading into live band nights and cultural medleys on the plaza stage.
How it fits Palawan’s cultural season
- September–October arc: Passini Kat Aborlan arrives as municipal fiestas pick up after midyear provincial events, forming part of a wider circuit of town celebrations noted by Palawan festival guides for travelers building autumn itineraries.
- Cultural mosaic: Aborlan’s annual rhythm also includes indigenous-focused festivals such as the Tarek festival (Tagbanua and Batak traditions). Passini Kat sits alongside these celebrations, reflecting the town’s blend of indigenous heritage and Catholic devotion across the year.
Planning the visit
- Getting there: From Puerto Princesa, ride a southbound bus or van toward Aborlan and southern municipalities; travel time is roughly one hour, traffic permitting. Day trips are feasible, though fiesta nights run late.
- Where to stay: Base in Puerto Princesa for a wider range of hotels and return by van, or book a local guesthouse to enjoy evening programs without a late drive. Palawan event overviews suggest combining a fiesta day with nearby beach or farm visits.
- Daily flow: Mornings are relaxed for browsing fairs and markets; parades and cultural showcases peak mid- to late afternoon; patronal rites and grand concerts cluster around September 30 and the October 1 feast day.
Food, crafts, and what to try
- Cashews and kakanin: Palawan cashews, rice cakes, and seafood snacks are staples at fiesta stalls; look for local pancit, grilled skewers, and halo-halo as the day warms.
- Handiwork: Woven bags and baskets, woodcraft, and shell craft made by local artisans appear at agri-trade and craft booths, often at prices friendlier than city shops.
- Coastal treats: Depending on the catch, basic seafood grills and soups pop up around the plaza or at eateries just off the main roads.
Respectful participation
- Procession etiquette: When the santo and parish banners pass, step aside and avoid blocking the route; join in singing or prayers if comfortable, or observe quietly.
- Photo sense: Performers welcome applause and photos after sets; ask consent for close-ups, especially of children and elders in traditional attire.
- Dress and comfort: Light, modest clothing suits both liturgy and street festivities; bring a hat, sunscreen, and small bills for stalls; keep personal items close in crowded areas.
Sample two-day fiesta plan
- Day 1 (Sept 30): Arrive before noon; explore the agri-trade fair and craft stalls; lunch on cashew snacks and barbecue; secure a spot for the afternoon street dancing showcase; enjoy the evening’s cultural variety show and live band.
- Day 2 (Oct 1): Feast day Mass at St. Thérèse parish; join or observe the post-Mass procession; browse food stalls; watch the pageant or closing concert before heading back to Puerto Princesa.
Why it’s worth the trip
- Community at the center: Passini Kat Aborlan is made by and for locals, yet welcoming to visitors—ideal for experiencing Palawan’s town life beyond headline destinations.
- Vivid visuals: Indigenous-inspired costumes, banners, and choreographies set against palm-lined roads and coastal light make superb photo stories with respectful distance.
- Easy pairing: Combine Aborlan’s fiesta with routes south toward Narra or Quezon, or return to Puerto Princesa for Underground River and Honda Bay excursions after the feast day.
Verified details at a glance
- Event: Passini Kat Aborlan, Aborlan, Palawan.
- Dates: September 28 to October 1, 2025 (aligned with St. Thérèse’s Oct 1 patronal feast).
- Nature: Socio-cultural patronal fiesta with religious rites, street and folk dancing in indigenous-inspired costumes, agri-trade and food fairs, sports, pageants, and night concerts.
- Travel note: About an hour south of Puerto Princesa by road; buses and vans run all day.
Mark the late-September dates, plan an easy road trip from Puerto Princesa, and step into Aborlan’s patronal celebration. From Mass and procession to dance showcases, food stalls, and music under the stars, Passini Kat Aborlan 2025 invites travelers to share in Palawan’s community spirit—come to cheer, taste, and celebrate alongside the town that keeps this tradition alive.