Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Holy Tuesday
Guling comes from the Ilocano word that means “to mark or smear,” which is exactly what is done on the day before Ash Wednesday. During the Guling-guling fiesta, the town mayor would draw a cross on a person’s forehead using wet rice flour. The flour’s whiteness symbolizes purity, and it is believed that anyone who undergoes this procedure will be cleansed from all his or her sins. A parade showcases Spanish-inspired Ilocano folk dances.
