Historical Significance
Each year on February 11, the town of Ibaan in Batangas celebrates the Les KuHLiemBo Festival as part of its founding anniversary. The festival’s name is an acronym combining key local products: Tamales (LES), Kulambo (KU), Habi (H), Liempo (LIEM), and Tubo (BO) (sugar cane). The event was formally declared the town’s official festival by municipal ordinance, to promote these signature industries and unite the community in cultural celebration.
Unique Traditions
The Les KuHLiemBo Festival features a vibrant street dance parade with barangays showcasing costumes, props and choreography inspired by tamales, kulambo, habi, liempo and tubo. There is also the famous liempo grilling along the main street, where pork belly is grilled in a communal feast. Additional activities include a color fun run, job fair, cultural presentations, and a bistro night — making the celebration both festive and inclusive of different community sectors.
Video from BNN
Cultural Impact
For Ibaan, the Les KuHLiemBo Festival reinforces the town’s identity and local pride in its craftsmanship, food tradition, and agricultural heritage. It brings together government, businesses, schools and barangays, creating unity and social cohesion. Economically, the festival gives exposure to local products like tamales, mosquito nets (kulambo) and hand-woven fabrics (habi), supporting small entrepreneurs. As a cultural event, it draws visitors, boosts tourism interest, and honours how the town’s traditions have shaped its community life.
