Sorteo Festival of Carmona: A Celebration of Heritage and Community

 

The Sorteo Festival is a unique triennial tradition in Carmona, Cavite, deeply rooted in the town's agricultural heritage. Established in 1861, just four years after Carmona—formerly known as Barrio Latag—became an independent municipality (formerly part of Silang, Cavite), the festival's name derives from the Spanish word "sorteo," meaning raffle or lottery. Historically, this event served as a public lottery to allocate communal agricultural lands to deserving farmers, ensuring equitable land distribution among residents.

Over the years, the Sorteo Festival has evolved to remain relevant to the community's needs. While the original practice focused on raffling agricultural lands, recent developments have expanded to include substantial cash prizes. For instance, the 2025 festival offered 450 prizes of ₱50,000 each, 50 prizes of ₱100,000 each, five prizes of ₱200,000 each, and five prizes of ₱300,000 each. This shift reflects the local government's commitment to adapting the tradition to contemporary times while preserving its core purpose of community support and unity. While the festival’s mechanics have been modernized, its essence remains the same—fostering unity and uplifting the lives of Carmonians. It has since become a much-anticipated event, with each celebration growing more festive and inclusive.

Participation in the Sorteo Festival is exclusive to native-born Carmonians who meet specific qualifications. The key requirements include being a bona fide resident of Carmona, Cavite, at least 21 years old, and complying with local government regulations and festival guidelines. Traditionally, both single and married individuals are eligible, provided they meet the age requirement. In recent years, the registration process has been streamlined for convenience; for example, the 2025 festival introduced a new Sorteo ID or QR code system, eliminating the need for a community tax certificate (cedula) during registration. Qualified participants enter a lottery-style draw where winners are randomly selected. Previously, prizes ranged from agricultural lands, which serve to promote economic stability among the locals, to cash rewards that provide financial assistance to the winners and their families. This time, all prizes are in cash. The festival spans several days, featuring cultural performances, parades, talent contest, Binibining Sorteo, and other community activities that highlight Carmona's rich traditions and vibrant community spirit. Once the names are called, the announcer will state the winner's roots and how they became a native of Carmona. This year, all participants will receive a text message if their names were drawn, along with the result—whether it is "blanko" (no win) or "swerte" (lucky/winner).

Our family has been fortunate to have had multiple wins in the Sorteo Festival. My mother, Eya, a proud native of Carmona and the daughter of Dideng and Bandong (a former councilor of Carmona), won one of the grand agricultural land prizes during her time. Years later, my sister Abet also won a cash prize, further cementing our family's deep connection to this tradition. This year, after years of waiting and considering that I never had any luck in this kind of lottery, my name was finally called as a winner. It came as a complete surprise, as we were already sleeping when the news reached us through chat messages from my siblings and a family friend. Since we were used to not winning in any game of chance, we weren’t expecting nor even bothered to check the official Sorteo page for updates. The same happened with my sister Kathy, who only heard the news from her neighbors. Our family's blessings continued as both my sister, and I were fortunate enough to win cash prizes in the latest Sorteo Festival. These personal experiences underscore the festival's enduring impact on our lives and the community at large.

Beyond the excitement of the raffle, the Sorteo Festival serves as a testament to Carmona's commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage. It strengthens community bonds, fosters camaraderie among residents, and ensures that the town's history is passed down through generations. Whether one wins land or cash, the true essence of the festival lies in its ability to bring people together, celebrate local heritage, and provide tangible benefits to its participants. As Carmonians, we take immense pride in upholding this unique tradition, recognizing its significance in shaping our collective identity, and ensuring that future generations continue to treasure and celebrate the Sorteo Festival.

References:

• "Sorteo Festival." Cavite Provincial Government.
• Deña, Carla Bauto. "Carmona, Cavite's Historical Sorteo Festival Goes High-Tech." Manila Bulletin, February 21, 2022.
• "Carmona City Lights Up for Christmas, Launches Sorteo Festival 2025." Manila Bulletin, November 24, 2024.
• "Carmona City's Sorteo Festival Set." The Manila Times, February 12, 2025.
• "Cavite." Wikipedia, last modified February 2025.