Butterfly farms grace the landscape in and around Boac, forming a testament to the province’s natural beauty. Seventy (70) percent of the country’s butterfly exports valued at 100 million pesos comes from Marinduque and the province likewise boasts of having the most number of butterfly species in the Philippines. This flourishing sector of the economy has not gone unnoticed, inspiring the inception of the vibrant Bila-Bila (paru-paro) Festival.
Held annually on December 8th, in harmony with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception—a tribute to the town’s patron saint—the festival stands as a spirited celebration of this remarkable facet of Marinduque’s identity. At the heart of the festivities is a captivating procession, where schoolchildren don imaginative costumes, embodying the various phases of a butterfly’s metamorphic journey.
As the procession dances forward, elaborately adorned floats grace the scene, injecting the air with vibrancy. The streets become a stage, inviting all to revel in the infectious energy, embracing the enchanting blend of music, dance, and community spirit.
