It’s a known fact that Filipinos take their celebrations and fiestas seriously. No matter what the financial scenario is, the program, or in this matter, the feast should go on. Every town usually has their own annual events dedicated to their Patron Saint. It’s not an exaggeration then when someone says there may be a fiesta going on in some village at any given day. Hence, there is no requirement to time your go to thoroughly if you wish to witness the celebration and sign up with the celebration. There’s bound to be one throughout your go to.
Due to the Spanish impact on Filipino’s Catholic spirituality, most of these celebrations are spiritual in origin. Others celebrate certain crucial events in history of the nation. No matter what the original significance of the celebration was, nowadays are normally marked with people garbed in fancy outfits, overflowing food and beverages, fluvial parades, processions, competitions, and a lot more. Here we highlight a few of the most popular Philippine Festivals. Most of these have become tourist destination that draws visitors from all over the world.
1. Ati-Atihan– Kalibo
Called as the Mother of All Celebration in the Philippines, Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan is the oldest festival in the nation. It’s a two-week merrymaking that culminates on the 3rd Sunday of January.
As early as December, you will hear drumbeats as individuals practice for the upcoming occasion. During the event, individuals dressed in outfits made of indigenous materials gather in the street and dance to the beat of the drums. The first expression is a homage to the baby Jesus and the second is a plea not to get sick under the blistering heat of the sun.
In the last decades, different cities have developed their own version however Ati-Atihan is distinct for one significant reason: it is very interactive. Residents are not simply mere viewers, they paint their skin black with soot and join the groups in street dancing. Do not be put off if you get wet with some beer spray, after all it’s the local equivalent of Mardi Gras.
2. Ati-Atihan Sinulog– Cebu City
On the exact same day, Cebu City also pays tribute to the to Santo Niño through their Ati-Atihan Sinulog. What sets it apart is the way they dance to the beat of the drums– 2 step forward and one action backward– a motion that’s indicated to mimic the water existing (sulog) of Pahina River. Besides the spiritual parade and street parties, you can likewise enjoy trade fairs, musical occasions, and art exhibitions.
3. Dinagyang– Iloilo City
Exactly a week later on the fourth Sunday of January, Iloilo City likewise holds the very same cultural and spiritual celebration in honour of the Child Jesus. Dinagyang consists of a fluvial procession, vibrant parades, and a competition for the most detailed outfit and excellent choreography. There will be several stages around the city and you need to purchase tickets to much better see the dramatic showcase.
4. Masskara– Bacolod
Another popular Visayas celebration is Bacolod’s Masskara, a 20-day street celebration replete with food, beverages, dances, and a bunch of wild contests like chasing a pig and downing coconut milk. Held on the weekend closest to October 19, it was conceived to show the regional’s resiliency regardless of a hard life. Participants use papier-mâché or clay masks illustrating a big smile.
5. Kadayawan Festival– Davao City
Mindanao also has their own share of extravagant feasts led by Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival held yearly every 3rd week of August. This time it’s mainly to give thanks for a numerous harvest so the streets are embellished with newly selected fruits and vegetables. Throughout the event, vibrant drifts laden with fresh fruit and vegetables and flowers are paraded down the street. Besides the typical street dances, the city hosts horse fights, appeal pageants, and boat races.
6. Moriones Celebration– Marinduque
During Holy Week each year, a biblical re-enactment is seen on the roadways of Marinduque when villagers wear their interpretation of a Roman soldiers’ helmet, gown, and armour. Carried out as a kind of penitence, Moriones Celebration is indicated to depict the look for Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus’ side with a lance during the Crucifixion. Christian or not, this spiritual pageantry is fascinating to state the least.
7. Pintados Festival– Tacloban
If you’re into tattoos and body arts then you may flip over the yearly event of Pintados celebration in Tacloban when locals dance around the streets with tattooed bodies to signify the brave warriors of the past. Portraying the natives’ practice of idolatry along with their penchant for music and dance, this June 29th festival offers a look of how the native individuals lived previous to the Spaniard’s arrival.
8. Panagbenga, Baguio Flower Festival
The mainland Luzon is not one to take the backseat in terms of festivals too. Every year during the month of February, countless tourists both domestic and foreign increase to the Summer season Capital of the Philippines to witness the city blossom, actually. Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Festival commemorates the increase of the city after the awful catastrophe when the earthquake struck it in 1990. Throughout the feast, Burnham Park and Session Roadway is awash with flamboyant floats embellished totally with flowers, it’s a spectacular spectacle truly.
9. Higantes Celebration– Angono, Rizal
Every 23rd of November, head over to Angono, Rizal to be part of its bigger than life event – the Higantes Celebration. In celebration of the Banquet of San Clemente, people open their homes and dining table to visitors. It’s also quite a sight to see papier-mâché giants sashaying down the street, some measuring as high as 12 ft.
10. Pahiyas Festival– Lucban, Quezon
The town of Lucban, Quezon also buzzes with excitement each year on Might 15 as they hold the Pahiyas Festival to thank the tutelary saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador, for a plentiful harvest. Each house is creatively decorated with fruits, vegetables, and the brilliantly coloured rice paper called “kiping”. Brace yourself for an all out food extravaganza https://www.evernote.com/shard/s462/sh/9143f616-995b-eb14-2963-ee963a10e51c/5590c195d1c55c8e3fe490dc4e81f1bb and an exhilarating parade of locals in vibrant costumes, papier-mâché giants, carabaos, and extravagantly designed drifts.
11. Obando Fertility Rites– Obando, Bulacan
We’ll cover this list with a special kind of celebration– the Obando Fertility Rites– held for 3 days from May 17 to 19. On nowadays in Obando, Bulacan, enthusiasts do the fertility street dance to beseech the three saints, San Pascua, Nuestra Señora de Salambáo, and Santa Clara for excellent fortune, a partner, or most particularly, a kid.
This list barely even scratch the surface area however is a great start for a more extensive experience of Philippine Culture and Custom.
