Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Article (news)

Photo: Herold Manalo

Eon Sanchez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1770525775283viber_image_2026-02-08_11-46-48-004.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Photo: Herold Manalo"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Photo: Herold Manalo</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Tradition and devotion marked the celebration of the 35th Pandangguhan Festival on Friday night, February 7, at the San Roque Parish patio in Pateros, as part of the town’s annual Pistang-Bayan in honor of St. Martha.</p><p>The Pandangguhan is a traditional dance competition that barangays participate in as an offering of thanksgiving for the town’s harvest and blessings.</p><p>Church officials said the festival reflects the deeply rooted cultural and religious identity of Pateros, the lone municipality in Metro Manila.</p><p>This year’s celebration, however, drew public attention after reports of a guideline prohibiting cross-dressing — wearing clothing typically worn by another gender — among competition participants, prompting at least one barangay to withdraw from the event.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Barangay Sto. Rosario–Silangan withdraws<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The Sangguniang Kabataan of Barangay Sto. Rosario–Silangan earlier announced its decision not to participate in this year’s Pandangguhan Festival, citing concerns over inclusivity and the lack of a rehearsal venue.</p><p>According to SK Chairperson Joanna Rose de Chavez, the barangay decided to withdraw after learning about the guidelines imposed by the organizers.</p><p>“Multiple reasons naman siya: Wala po kasi kaming venue for practice. Yung isa pa don, ngayong taon kasi may guidelines yung organizers na bawal daw mag-cross dress yung mga participants this year,” De Chavez said.</p><p>(There are multiple reasons. We don&#x27;t have a venue to practice in. Another is the guidelines against cross-dressing) </p><p>She said the policy runs counter to the values upheld by their council to respect others&#x27; identity and self-expression.</p><p>De Chavez noted that several members of their Pandangguhan dance group are LGBTQ persons and have represented the barangay for many years.</p><p>“Wala po kaming narereceive na formal notice about sa guidelines na ito,” De Chavez also said.</p><p>(We were not given formal notice of these guidelines)</p><p>According to her, some youth members were disappointed over their inability to participate this year.</p><p>“Hindi lang naman siya pakita ng talento, debosyon ito para kay Santa Marta kaya nakakadisappoint,” she added.</p><p>(We were disappointed because this is not just about showcasing talent, it is also a devotion to St. Martha)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Church explains guidelines</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In response, Rev. Fr. Jhun Sanchez, parish priest and rector of the Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha and San Roque Parish, said the guidelines were the result of an agreement between the Church and the local government.</p><p>“Marahil yung paglabas ng criteria, dahil ito ay pinamumunuan ng ating Knights of Columbus and ipinag-ugnayan sa atin pong lokal na pamahalaan,” Fr. Sanchez said.</p><p>(It is likely that the criteria came out because it is the Knights of Columbus that are leading this in coordination with the local government)</p><p>The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic fraternal organization. It says on its global website that it helps &quot;Catholic men become better husbands, better fathers and better men by deepening their relationship with God, putting their faith into action, and leading and protecting their families.&quot;</p><p>Sanchez acknowledged that the guidelines may have influenced some groups to decide not to join the celebration.</p><p>He said the Church and the local government want to preserve tradition.</p><p>“Sapagkat ayaw namin na dumating ang panahon na wala nang mananayaw na babae (We do not want to reach a point where women no longer join to dance). So ito ay one way to preserve the tradition, the dignity of a woman, the grace of a woman. As well as to uplift the dignity of man,” he said.</p><p>He clarified that LGBTQ persons are allowed to participate but must follow the prescribed attire. </p><p>He confirmed that the agreement was between San Roque Parish and the local government after discussions with Mayor Gerald German.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Youth sector reacts</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Roi Fulgencio, Youth Ministry coordinator of the parish, said the guidelines came as a surprise.</p><p>“Before naman, napapayagan ang ating mga kabataan regardless kung ano man ang kanilang identidad, na makapagsuot kung anong nais nilang suotin sa ating kapistahan,” Fulgencio said.</p><p>(They used to allow the youth to participate regardless of their identity. They could wear what they wanted during the celebration)</p><p>He said it was sad that some would be excluded from the tradition, adding devotion should not be measured by attire.</p><p>“Oo, tanggap ko na mag-cross dress dahil ang pamamanata kay Santa Marta ay hindi nasusukat sa artipisyal na bulaklak, hindi nasusukat sa kung anong kasuotan,” he said.</p><p>(I accept that some devotees cross-dress because devotion to St. Martha is not measured by the number of artificial flowers or by what they are wearing)</p><p>Despite the controversy, Pistang-Bayan activities continued on February 8, including the Pilgrim’s Mass, Pandangguhan at the parish patio, the traditional Pahalikan, and hourly masses throughout the day.</p><p>This year marks the first time in the 35-year history of the Pandangguhan Festival in the town that cross-dressing was not allowed among competition participants.</p>

<p>The Pandangguhan is a traditional dance competition that barangays participate in as an offering of thanksgiving for the town’s harvest and blessings. Church officials said the festival reflects the deeply rooted cultural and religious identity of Pateros.</p>

The Pandangguhan is a traditional dance competition that barangays participate in as an offering of thanksgiving for the town’s harvest and blessings. Church officials said the festival reflects the deeply rooted cultural and religious identity of Pateros.

Some Pateros youth withdraw from Pandangguhan Festival over policy vs cross-dressing

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Some Pateros youth withdraw from Pandangguhan Festival over policy vs cross-dressing

Eon Sanchez,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 08, 2026 12:50 PM PHT

Read More:

Pateros

Diocesan Shrine of St. Martha

San Roque Parish

Pandangguhan Festival

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