Guling-Guling Festival brings Paoay to life with dance, devotion, and tradition

Paoay, Ilocos Norte – The historic streets of Paoay burst into color and movement on the afternoon of Tuesday, 4 March 2025, as the Guling-Guling Festival took center stage. Dancers in vibrant traditional attire swayed to the beat of lively Ilocano music, their foreheads marked with the symbolic white cross—a centuries-old tradition signifying cleansing and renewal before the solemnity of Lent.

A cultural gem dating back to the Spanish colonial period, Guling-Guling was introduced by Fray Esteban Ortiz in the 16th century, when the people of Paoay gathered on the eve of Ash Wednesday to receive a blessing made from rice flour. Unlike other towns where revelry was halted before Lent, Paoay was granted a special exception—allowing a final day of merrymaking filled with music, dance, and feasting.

This year’s Street Dance Parade showcased the spirit of Paoay’s people, with performers clad in aborot (traditional woven skirts) and adorned with Ilocano accessories. Tourists and locals alike joined in the festivities, clapping to the rhythmic steps of the music and sharing in the joyful chaos of this pre-Lenten celebration.

As the sun set over the iconic Paoay Church, the festival ended with smiles, laughter, and the enduring faith of the Ilocanos—proving once again that Guling-Guling is more than just a festival; it’s a living tradition, a symbol of heritage, and a heartfelt farewell to indulgence before the season of reflection.