Watching Aguman Sanduk in Minalin

On the afternoon of January 1, the men of Minalin put on dresses, wigs, make-up and their wives' or mothers' jewellery and parade through town. This is Aguman Sanduk, the Fellowship of the Ladle, a New Year's tradition since 1934.

What it is, and is not

The parade began simply to spread happiness at the start of the year. Locals stress that it pokes fun at the men's own machismo, not at gay men, and Where In Pampanga describes it as a way of celebrating and respecting all kinds of gender. Let's Go Pampanga likens the mood to a Kapampangan Mardi Gras, with costumes, masks and live music.

Tips

• It happens in the afternoon of New Year's Day, so plan around the holiday traffic.
• Join the laughter but take photos with a smile and ask before close-ups.
• Before or after, see the Santa Monica Parish Church, a National Cultural Treasure, and the museum on the plaza.