Bacolor youth shines as Makatapak Festival kicks-off La Naval 2025

Showcasing a street-dance featuring elementary and high school students from the Bacolor district, the most anticipated event of La Naval de Bacolor 2025, Makatapak Festival kicked off yesterday, November 14.

Participants paraded along Paglimbunan Road in Barangay Cabambangan and made their way to the San Guillermo Church, unveiling the town’s culture, resilience, and pride through colorful choreography and performances.

Seven groups also competed in the Free Dance Interpretation segment held later in the day, where the creativity and talent highlight Bacolor’s youth.

Celebrated every November, the Makatapak Festival—named after the Kapampangan word for “barefoot”—commemorates the unity of Bacolor residents who fled across lahar during the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption.

This year’s festivities carry the theme “Makatapak Abe-abe, Ipaslag Ing Tagumpe” and will continue until Sunday, November 16.