Hilarious Lumba Kalabaw at the Pinyahan Festival

One of the finalists in the race

Ive just been to the Lumba Kalabaw race of Bgy. Cannery, Polomolok's Pinyahan Festival. It was a lot of fun seeing my first green kalabaw! The “kalabaw” (or kabaw or carabao or water buffalo if you still can’t relate hehe kiddin) is the trusty partner of every farmer. In these parts, they are known as hard working animals usually used by farmers in plowing their fields. So it was unusual to see them running around in a race. Actually, it still baffles me how they were made to run in the direction the jockey wants them to run.

Before the race started, I chatted with one of the carabao jockeys. I was amazed that they actually set two months training in preparation for the race. They took the carabao on jogging sessions every day just to make sure it is well conditioned for running – and to run in the right direction at that! Hehe..

As the race started, the crowd went wild as each carabao headed to the starting line. It was very entertaining to watch the jockeys gear up with their motorcycle helmet (one even had to wear his helmet backwards since he didn’t need the face shield =)), one jockey even thought of wearing knee and elbow pads to keep up with the organizer’s safety conscious stance but decided the last minute not to..hehe. There were moments when the jockey would fall from his carabao, which really had the crowd roaring with laughter and cheers. Not because it was funny that he fell, it was the fighting spirit they had when they still climbed up their carabaos to continue the race. One jockey even had to run side by side with his carabao when he found it difficult to climb back up. And there was one carabao who went wild and decided to run on his own and disregard the jockey altogether. But what was really riotous was the carabao who decided to join the crowd watching the race. =) Enjoy the pictures taken by Mr. OSG below..

Aka Lito Lapid (jockey in blue) doing another stunt..he keeps falling off his carabao but he still keeps on climbing back up! =)

Love the way they wear their helmets backwards =)

Go! Go! Go! the carabaos strutting their stuff, taking their time. =)

The very green carabao of the event who also won additional awards for the beautiful body painting he has on

I was also happy to note that members of the Gensan Camera Club headed by their president, Mr. Omar S. Gallinero (our official photographer ;) were also present to shoot the hilarious event. Mr. Toots Jabido, also from GCC even took a video of the event. Our thanks to those present to cover and celebrate with us: Ariel Oclarit, Toots Jabido, Dong Pading, Dondon Pagunsan, Christian Quito and Polomolok's own Wang Rallos, Bong Maliwat and Percival Evangelio. You can visit their facebook accounts for more pictures on the Lumba Kalabaw and the Pinyahan Festival. Hope to see you guys again soon and thank you for your support!

GCC photo hobbyists at the Lumba Kalabaw. Thanks to Mr. Toots Jabido for this photo =)