Makatapak Festival

Lahar destroyed communities from 1991 to 1997, residents of Bacolor, Pampanga, celebrate "MAKATAPAK" (a local term for going barefoot)
Rev. Fr. Jesus Manabat initiated the Makatapak Festival in 2008 to recount people experiences about lahar by removing their slippers to walk firmly on the soft, hot mud to reach safer ground. They were back to being equal as they all had to walk barefoot.
Makatapak is another occasion for Bacolor folk, scattered in 16 resettlements, to return home. This Festival is a merry dance event featuring competing groups that dance along major thoroughfares here, barefooted. The event is a cultural and religious attraction of the town that aims to attract the return of Bacolor's original population and bring tourist to another attraction of the town.
Unity and helping hands was the key in survival of Mt. Pinatubo's wrath. Rich, middle class and poor are hand in hand. There was a time there are together in one big roof. People walk barefooted while carrying their important stuffs to safer ground like evacuation center, rented apartments or relatives houses in other cities, towns and provinves or even abroad. Other people wept...but now Villa de BACOLOR is going forward. The Makatapak Festival street dancing is simple colorful and impressive to watch.
Rock out Balen Baculud. MIBANGUN AT SUMULUNG KA PA BACULUD!