Santa Ana offers two specific cultural points of interest to consider when planning a trip: the history of Santa Ana Parish Church and the community’s festivals. The church is located in Barangay San Joaquin, also known as Poblacion or Canukil. San Joaquin lies in the town center along the main road and is considered a cultural center. Santa Ana’s local history and seasonal community traditions thus stand side by side.

Church History and Stone Construction

Ang Simbahan ng Santa Ana was founded on December 19, 1598, by Augustinian missionaries as a visita of Arayat. In 1760, Padre Lorenzo Guerra was appointed the first parish priest. This means that 162 years separate its founding as a visita from the appointment of its first parish priest.

Construction of the stone church began in 1853 under Padre Vicente Ferrer and was completed in 1857 during the tenure of Padre Lucas Gonzales. The construction phase thus came well after the church’s founding as a visita. Ferrer is associated with its beginning, and Gonzales with its completion. Ninety-three years separate the appointment of the first parish priest from the start of stone church construction. The founding, appointment of the first parish priest, and construction of the stone church can therefore be understood as distinct milestones.

Santa Ana Community Festivals

The Majigangga Festival in the municipality of Santa Ana takes place during the Christmas season and for the Feast of the Three Kings. A procession features giant puppets made of bamboo, papier-mâché, and recycled materials. The festival celebrates local folklore and devotion. If you are considering a trip for this seasonal event, check the specific date in advance.

Another occasion takes place in the first week of January: the Kuraldal Dance is a lively street procession in the municipality of Santa Ana honoring the saints of the barrios. Unlike Majigangga, it centers on the saints of the barrios. Both traditions take place around the turn of the year, but emphasize different things: puppets, folklore, and devotion for the former, and the veneration of saints in a street procession for the latter.

The town fiesta in the municipality of Santa Ana takes place at another time of year. It is celebrated on July 26 in honor of the patron saint, Saint Anne. This places a clearly specified July date alongside the festive season around Christmas and January. If you are considering visiting Santa Ana for a festival, you can choose between a turn-of-the-year tradition and the July fiesta.

A report dated January 3, 2025, describes young people making miniature versions of the Majigangga puppets, called “Majigangganitos,” and taking part in poster competitions. Alongside the large figures in the procession, smaller puppet forms and creative competitions are also part of the festival.

For your decision, the location and travel timing are distinct considerations: the church history is associated with San Joaquin, while the community festivals offer specific seasonal occasions. Confirm the festival date before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Bagac, Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Santo Domingo, Botolan, San Miguel, Candelaria, Capas, Bustos

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