From colorful street parades and cultural showcases to community celebrations, the Baragatan Festival proved once again why it remains one of Palawan’s most cherished traditions.
Every June, the province of Palawan transforms into one grand celebration of identity, culture, and community.
This year, “Baragatan Festival 2026” in Palawan once again filled the streets of Puerto Princesa with vibrant floats, traditional performances, local craftsmanship, and thousands of Palaweños coming together to celebrate what makes the island province unique.
Derived from the Cuyonon word baragatan, which means “to gather” or “to come together,” the festival has long served as a showcase of Palawan’s diverse municipalities, indigenous heritage, thriving tourism, and enduring community spirit.
For many, Baragatan is more than a festival. It’s a homecoming.
That spirit was reflected in the participation of the Palawan Group of Companies, which returned to the province where its journey first began more than four decades ago.
A celebration of Palawan’s heritage
Pikoy, the Palawan Group’s cheerful mascot
The festivities officially came alive with the much-anticipated Parada ng mga Palaweño and the Float Parade, where municipalities, organizations, schools, and businesses marched side by side through Puerto Princesa in a colorful display of local pride.
Among the crowd favorites was Pikoy, the Palawan Group‘s cheerful mascot inspired by the province’s endemic blue-naped parrot. Waving to spectators from the company’s float, Pikoy delighted families and children lining the parade route, adding another splash of color to an already festive atmosphere.
Throughout the celebration, cultural performances, music, traditional dances, and community exhibits transformed the city into a living showcase of Palawan’s rich heritage, reminding both residents and visitors why Baragatan remains one of the province’s biggest annual gatherings.
Bringing the celebration closer to the community
Event gave residents a chance to know more about a brand that’s now part of Filipino households
Beyond the parade route, festivalgoers also visited the Palawan Group’s interactive booth, where guests participated in games, won prizes, and learned more about the company’s growing portfolio of financial products and services.
Representatives introduced visitors to Palawan Pawnshop, Palawan Express Pera Padala, Palawan Gold, and PalawanPay, giving residents an opportunity to explore services that have become part of many Filipino households over the years.
The booth became another gathering space during the festival — one where conversations extended beyond products to the company’s shared history with the province itself.
“Palawan is not only where our business began. It is where we learned the value of trust, resilience, and service to the community,” said Karlo M. Castro, President and CEO of the Palawan Group of Companies.
“The support of Palaweños has shaped who we are today, and we remain deeply grateful for the opportunity to grow alongside the province that we proudly call home.”
Recognizing local excellence
Company executives present winners of Mutya ng Palawan 2026 with PalawanPay credits, ProtekTODO microinsurance, and Palawan Gold
The celebrations continued with one of Baragatan’s most anticipated events — the “Mutya ng Palawan 2026” pageant.
To recognize the achievements of this year’s winners, the Palawan Group presented special prizes that reflected both tradition and innovation.
Awardees received PalawanPay credits and ProtekTODO microinsurance, while the pageant’s grand winner took home a one-gram Palawan Gold coin, adding a meaningful keepsake to her victory.
The awards highlighted the company’s continuing efforts to support community initiatives while introducing practical financial products that aim to improve the everyday lives of Filipinos.
Staying rooted while growing nationwide
Today, the Palawan Group has grown from a single branch in Puerto Princesa into one of the country’s largest financial services providers, serving millions of customers through an extensive network that reaches communities across the Philippines.
Yet despite its nationwide presence, the company says its identity remains deeply rooted in Palawan.
Its return to Baragatan Festival 2026 served as more than a corporate appearance—it was a tribute to the community that nurtured its beginnings and a celebration of the values that continue to guide its journey.
As the final parade floats rolled by and festivalgoers gathered for one last celebration, Baragatan once again lived up to its name: bringing people together.
For the Palawan Group, coming home was a reminder that while businesses may grow beyond the places where they started, their strongest foundations are often built by the communities that believed in them first.
