07/08/2026
My HOMETOWN-TIWI❤️
CORON FESTIVAL: Keeping Tiwi’s pottery tradition alive!
Pottery making in the Philippines has a rich history that dates back more than 4,200 years to the Neolithic period. For thousands of years, this craft has evolved to serve both functional needs and deep artistic traditions.
Traditional clay pots, or palayok, are commonly found in Filipino households as cooking vessels and containers for food and water. In the Bicol Region, the coastal town of Tiwi, Albay, is renowned for its vibrant pottery industry. Blessed with abundant of local clay deposits, Tiwi artisans produce a wide range of terracotta ceramic products, from coron (clay cooking pots) to decorative jars, vases, and souvenirs.
Traditional pottery making is still practiced in Tiwi. However, to further safeguard this heritage and empower local artisans, the Philippine Ceramic Arts and Crafts Center (PhilCeramics) was established in Tiwi in 1976. Over the years, PhilCeramics has helped potters to integrate modern ceramic technology with traditional techniques, ensuring that Tiwi keeps its pottery industry alive. Visitors who wish to experience the craft firsthand can also join pottery sessions offered by PhilCeramics.
Moreover, to honor this enduring tradition, the town celebrates the Coron Festival every August, held alongside the feast of its patron saint, Nuestra Señora de Salvacion. The festival’s name derives from the Bicolano word coron, meaning "clay pot." The event showcases street dancing with pot-shaped props and live pottery-making demonstrations. Beyond the festivities, it pays tribute to the skilled potters of Tiwi, whose craftsmanship continues to preserve Bicol's ceramic heritage for future generations.
Coron festival is indeed a testament that pottery products are more than just a local trade; they remain a vital and living part of the Philippines' cultural heritage.
