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In 1668, the Spaniards were surprised to see many heavily tattooed men and women as they reach the island of Leyte. They were then labeled as the “Pintados”. The Spaniards brought an image named “El Capitan” also known as Señor Santo Niño to the island on 1888. The image has a rich and colourful background that draws out the devotion and worship of the Leyteños to the saint. The name “Pintados” is derived from the native warriors whose bodies were filled with tattoos. The Pintados Foundation Incorporated began to organise the religious-cultural activities in 1986. The Leyteño’s celebrated their first Pintados Festival in the 29th of June year 1987.

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The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban City is one of the most anticipated festivals in the entire country. The grandeur of the event has different activities presented and prepared by the locals. Participants offer their songs and dances to their famous folklores and legends. The term “Kasadyaan” means cheerfulness in the vernacular language. This festival recalls the pre-colonization times, the way of living, wars, and religiosity of the early Leyteños.

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The Participants in Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival came from the different places in Leyte. Every participants would be wearing a colourful costumes and body paintings as a resemblance to their old armours. The colors, figures, and different shapes that is painted in their bodies shows how rich their cultural heritage is.

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Aside from their colourful costumes and unique body paintings, they also perform different dances that represents their culture in the streets of Tacloban City. The street dancing is also included in the criteria for judging. The best performer for street dancing will receive a special award on the awarding ceremony.

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The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival celebrated its 23rd year while Pintados on its 32nd year this 2018. This festival has five contingent from Leyte and Samar such as Solosogi Festival of Balangiga, Eastern Samar; Sanggutan Festival of Barugo; Tribu Pasaka Festival of Tanauan; Buraburon Festival of Buruaen; and Heraite Festival of Leyte town.

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Leyteños believes that the symbol of the tattoo will always and forever be a mark of their cultural and Historical Heritage.

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The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival has become a way of commemorating how their people and their land flourished into who and what they are today. This festival helps us to see the worth and beauty of the traditions of the country’s ancestors. It gives us the opportunity to feel a rare first-hand experience, the experience of culture.

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All Pictures Provided By: Mac Simbajon (Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival Official Photographer)

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