Santa Ana: History and Festival Traditions

Santa Ana offers two cultural points of reference for trip planning: the history of Ang Simbahan ng Santa Ana in the town center and the festival traditions of the Santa Ana community. At the church, its founding, parish history, and stone construction can be distinguished by period; Majigangga, Kuraldal, and the festival in honor of Saint Anne mark different times of the year. If you are planning your stay around a cultural focus, you can distinguish between the church’s historical development and the community-level festival traditions.

History of Ang Simbahan ng Santa Ana

Ang Simbahan ng Santa Ana was founded on December 19, 1598, by Augustinian missionaries as a visita of Arayat. Padre Lorenzo Guerra was appointed the first parish priest in 1760. Construction of the stone church began in 1853 under Padre Vicente Ferrer and was completed in 1857 during the tenure of Padre Lucas Gonzales. These dates represent different stages: the founding was followed by the appointment of the first parish priest, and later came the stone construction. The history thus spans from the founding in the 16th century to the completion of the building in the 19th century.

The church is located in Barangay San Joaquin, which is also called Poblacion or Canukil. San Joaquin lies in the town center of Santa Ana along the main road and is considered a cultural center; the Santa Ana Parish Church is located there.

The Church During World War II

The history of Ang Simbahan ng Santa Ana also includes events from World War II. Many guerrilla fighters were punished in the church patio using the water cure method. Japanese soldiers used the convent as a garrison during the war. The two events took place in different areas—the patio and the convent—and add another historical period to the church’s founding and construction history.

Community Festival Traditions

The Santa Ana community’s Majigangga Festival takes place during the Christmas season and for the Feast of the Three Kings. The procession features giant puppets made of bamboo, papier-mâché, and recycled materials; it celebrates local folklore and devotion. A report dated January 3, 2025, also describes young people making miniature versions of the puppets, called “Majigangganitos,” and taking part in poster competitions.

The Kuraldal dance is a tradition of the Santa Ana community and a lively street procession held in the first week of January in honor of the saints of the barangays. While Majigangga is characterized by its giant figures and its connection to the Christmas season and the Feast of the Three Kings, Kuraldal centers on the procession at the start of January. The two traditions therefore differ both in form and in their place in the annual calendar.

The Santa Ana community celebrates its town fiesta on July 26 in honor of its patron saint, Saint Anne. This date falls well after the Christmas and January traditions and offers another point of reference when planning your trip around a festival. If a particular festival is the deciding factor for your trip, check the date for your travel year in advance.

Discover more destinations: San Miguel, Mariveles, Baler, Castillejos, Bagac, Santo Domingo, Porac, Plaridel.

For the broader travel overview: Central Luzon.