The opening ceremony of the Sorteo Festival 2025 was held at the Carmona Town Plaza on February 17. (Photo from Rep. Roy M. Loyola’s Facebook page)/Bantay Balita
Carmona City, Cavite – Carmona City is set to celebrate its triennial Sorteo Festival from February 14 to 23, 2025, bringing life to an old tradition that dates back to the Spanish colonial era. The Sorteo ng Bukid ng Bayan Festival is a unique public lottery where local farm workers are given a piece of communal land to cultivate, reflecting the city’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage. The festival originated in 1861, just four years after the establishment of Barrio Latag, now known as Carmona. Since its separation from its mother province in 1857, Carmona has remained the only city in the Philippines that continues to hold a triennial draw for communal lands among its residents. This long-standing practice ensures that farmers are provided land for cultivation, reinforcing the city’s agricultural identity.
The 2025 Sorteo Festival will feature a variety of events organized by the local government under Representative Roy Loyola and Mayor Dahlia Loyola. The celebration will begin on February 14 with the 27th Loyola Cup Golf Tournament at Southwoods Golf Course and a Valentine’s Day photo contest. On February 15, residents will witness CarmoNegosyo and the 19th Dahlia Street Dance Competition, followed by a Thanksgiving Mass at St. Joseph Parish on February 16. Other notable events include the National Down Syndrome and Intellectual Disability Awareness Week celebration, a celebrity basketball game, and the Gintong Tinig, Gintong Himig 2025 Grand Finals.
The festival’s official opening on February 17 will be marked by a grand parade of floats in the city proper. The day will also include the Binibining Sorteo Talent and Swimsuit Night, a Bingo Night in collaboration with the Parents-Teachers Association of Carmona, and the formal inauguration of key infrastructure projects. On February 18, activities will continue with a Drum and Lyre Competition, a Public Employment Service Office (PESO) job fair, the much-anticipated Binibining Sorteo 2025 coronation night, and a fireworks display. The Sorteo draw—where farmers are chosen to receive communal land—will take place on February 19.
Further highlights of the festival include a motorcade and youth summit on February 20, a Kadiwa ng Pangulo program on February 21, and traditional Filipino games at the Palaro ng Lahi along with a Kite Flying Festival on February 22. The festival will conclude on February 23 with Carmona’s second cityhood anniversary celebration and the inauguration of newly completed infrastructure projects. The Sorteo Festival not only showcases Carmona’s rich agricultural history but also highlights the city’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions while promoting economic development and tourism. Through this triennial event, the local government aims to strengthen community ties and uphold the legacy of Sorteo, making it a unique and cherished festival in the Philippines.