SAMBAT MASCARA y REGATTA FESTIVAL

The festival is held every 1st Saturday of December in honor of the town's second patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. Several activities are organized to celebrate the fesial including agro-industrial fairs, streetdancing and drum and bugle competitions, and boat racing along the town's river. Traditionally, the sambat mascara is celebrated every 3rd day of December, however it is deemed appropriate to reschedule it to every first Saturday of December in honor of St. Francis Xavier. Lonf before the First World War, the Loay River is traversed through bamboo craft. Drowning incidents however alarmed the inhabitants. Their apprehension led to the fear that evil spirits lived in the river. In 1961, a Spanish friar decided to spearhead a cause to deal and address the curse. It led to the recognition of St. Francis Xavier who was known for his great missionary work. Thus in acknowledgement desires and sacrifice , Loayanons embraced St. Francis Xavier as second patron saint and immortalized his feast day.