Honoring San Isidro Labrador: A Fiesta of Faith, Harvest, and Unity

Every year on the 24th of May, our community comes alive with color, music, and gratitude as we celebrate the feast day of our beloved Sr. San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, laborers, and agriculture. However, since this year’s feast day falls on Sunday, the celebration will instead be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026. It is our way of giving thanks to God for His blessings, honoring the hard work of our farmers, and strengthening the bond within our community. This year’s theme is: “SR. SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR, Sumbanan sa katilingban nga nagkahiusa sa Pag-ampo ug pagtuo kang Kristo.”

The celebration begins long before the actual feast day. Weeks in advance, our community joins hands in preparation. It is a time of excitement and cooperation. The GKK servant leaders worked together to clean both the inside and outside of the chapel in preparation for the feast celebration of our beloved patron saint, Sr. San Isidro Labrador. The chapel was beautifully decorated with fresh flowers and colorful flaglets at the entrance gate. In addition, a roofing extension was installed to provide comfort and convenience for chapel-goers and visitors during the Holy Mass and the feast day celebration.

We also prepared our finest dishes, special menus, sweets, and local delicacies for the celebration. In keeping with our tradition, no visitor is ever turned away, everyone is warmly welcomed to dine and share in the blessings of the occasion.

The “Dinner for a Cause” held last May 9, 2026 was a successful part of our fiesta celebration program, aimed at supporting the chapel roofing extension project. The event reflected true synodality, as the community gathered together in fellowship—bonding, listening to one another, and working in unity—graced by the presence of our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia. Indeed, the activity was made successful through the leadership of the Pangulo sa Katilingban, Arsenia P. Barimbao, together with the GKK Servant Leaders. The PSB Ministry organized an activity called “San Isidro Helps 4.0,” where packs of vegetables were distributed to 150 people in the community to spread joy and share blessings with one another. Everyone contributed their time and effort, showing that the fiesta celebration is a meaningful occasion shared by the whole community.

During the procession, the beautifully adorned image of Sr. San Isidro Labrador is placed on a decorated carriage (carroza) and carried through the main streets of our community. Behind him walk the GKK servant leaders, and the faithful chapel-goers carrying candles, singing hymns and praying the rosary.

At the core of every activity is our faith. The fiesta begins with solemn religious services, highlighted by the Holy Mass celebrated in honor of our beloved patron saint, Sr. San Isidro Labrador. The Holy Mass was presided over by Rev. Fr. Orlando Angelia (Parish Priest of Saint Mary of Perpetual Rosary Parish) and concelebrated with Rev. Fr. William “Yen” Cajes, (Procurator of St. Xavier Regional Seminary), Rev. Fr. Cris Alcayde, and Rev. Fr. Ian Jetro Sasi, DCK, with assistance from Bro. Junifer Francis Valde. (Sil-Cde SoCCom Zone 3 | St. Mary of the Perpetual Rosary Parish – Buhangin)