The festival is named after Ana, a beloved historical figure of Nagcarlan, and Kalang-kalang, the giant statues that are paraded around the town during the festivities. This festival is very popular, which focuses on spectacular native costumes made from indigenous natural materials. Cultural shows and native cuisines are also major attractions same with agricultural products and industrial produce. Lanzones is the most abundant fruit in Nagcarlan, and the town is the biggest supplier of the fruit in Manila.
Nagcarlan, Laguna - Ana Kalang Festival
Ana
Kalang Festival is a 5-day celebration every April in Nagcarlan,
Laguna, across the foot of Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal. This festival
commemorates the bountiful harvest of the town’s agro-industrial
products which are abundant in the place, like rice, coconuts and
lanzones.
The festival was named after the legendary tribe head Ana Kalang, which according to the myth was known for her tremendous wealth, kindness, piety and generosity. It is said that she used to help her townspeople in times of trouble. One day, a Spaniard came to her house and upon looking out of the window, he saw branches swaying and hitting one another, and so he asked what was going on. Ana Kalang answered and said “nagkakalang sila”. The word was repeatedly mispronounced by the Spaniards until it became Nagcarlan, which is now the name of the town. It was also said that Ana Kalang saw the Virgin Sta. Ana who took the poison out of the lanzones fruits to make them edible. Now, lanzones is one of the major products of the province.
Lack of promotion has caused this town to be overlooked by tourist
and that is why locals have made their own ways to promote this town
through blogging websites and conducting nature oriented activities like hiking and running.Nagcarlan, Laguna - Ana Kalang Festival