Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival
Introduction
The Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival is a vibrant and colorful celebration held annually in the town of Liliw, Laguna, Philippines, every last week of April. It is a week-long festival that showcases the town’s rich history, cultural heritage, and world-renowned footwear industry. The festival’s name is derived from the Tagalog words “Liliw,” the town’s name, and “Gat Tayaw,” the legendary founder of the town. “Tsinelas” is the Tagalog word for “slippers,” which Liliw is famous for producing.
The Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival features a variety of events, including:
Street parades: Colorful street parades with marching bands, dancers, and elaborate floats depicting Liliw’s history, culture, and footwear industry fill the streets of Liliw.
Tsinelas Making Demonstrations: Witness the skilled craftsmanship of Liliw’s shoemakers as they demonstrate the traditional process of making tsinelas.
Footwear Design Competition: Aspiring shoe designers showcase their creativity and talent in a competition to design the most innovative and stylish tsinelas.
Cultural Presentations: Traditional dances, songs, and games are performed by local cultural groups.
Arts and Crafts Exhibits: Local artists showcase their traditional handicrafts, such as weavings, jewelry, and wood carvings.
Agricultural Fairs: Agricultural fairs showcase Liliw’s agricultural products, such as rice, corn, and vegetables.
Culinary Demonstrations: Renowned chefs from Liliw demonstrate how to prepare traditional Liliw dishes using local ingredients.
Sports Competitions: A variety of sports competitions, such as basketball, volleyball, and sepak takraw, are held.
Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival Queen Coronation: The highlight of the festival is the coronation of the Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival Queen, who is chosen for her beauty, intelligence, and advocacy for Liliw’s culture, heritage, and footwear industry.
The Liliw Gat Tayaw Tsinelas Festival is a fun and lively celebration that is not to be missed. It is a great opportunity to experience the rich culture, heritage, and world-renowned footwear industry of Liliw.
Date, Days
The festival begins in the last week of April.
Please refer to the button below for the exact date.
(This is the starting date of the festival or the date on when the festival is being held.)
Location
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to Liliw is Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), located about 80 kilometers away. Several airlines offer direct flights to NAIA from major international destinations and Philippine cities. From NAIA, you can take a bus, van, or private car to Liliw.
By Bus
Several bus companies offer regular bus services from major cities in the Philippines, including Manila, Laguna, and Cavite, to Liliw. Bus travel times from Manila to Liliw vary depending on the traffic conditions but typically take around 2-3 hours.
By Car
If you are driving to Liliw from Manila, take the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and exit at Laguna Exit. From there, follow the signs to Liliw. The drive from Manila to Liliw is about 80 kilometers and takes approximately 1-2 hours, depending on the traffic conditions.
