Festivals and Festivals and Fiestas Fiestas in the in the

PhilippinesPhilippines

Ati-Atihan Festival

Ati-Atihan Festival3rd Sunday of January

The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held in honor of the Santo Niño held annually in January concluding on third Sunday, in the town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines.

Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week-long festival.

Sinulog

Sinulog3rd Sunday of January3rd Sunday of January

The festival honors the child Jesus, known The festival honors the child Jesus, known as the Santo Niño (Holy Child), patron of the as the Santo Niño (Holy Child), patron of the city of city of CebuCebu. It is a dance ritual that . It is a dance ritual that commemorates the Cebuano people’s commemorates the Cebuano people’s pagan origin, and their acceptance of pagan origin, and their acceptance of Christianity. Christianity.

The festival features a street parade with The festival features a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. and native gongs.

Dinagyang

Dinagyang4th Sunday of January4th Sunday of January

The Dinagyang is a religious and The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in cultural festival in Iloilo CityIloilo City, , Philippines held on the fourth Sunday Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January. of January.

Dinagyang was voted as the best Dinagyang was voted as the best Tourism Event for 2006, 2007 and Tourism Event for 2006, 2007 and 2008 by the Association of Tourism 2008 by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines.Officers in the Philippines.

Panagbenga Festival

Panagbenga FestivalWhole Month of FebruaryFebruary

The festival in The festival in BaguioBaguio was created as a was created as a tribute to the city’s flowers and as a way tribute to the city’s flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 to rise up from the devastation of the 1990 Luzon earthquake. Luzon earthquake.

The festival includes floats that are The festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers unlike those used decorated with flowers unlike those used in Pasadena’s Rose Parade. The festival in Pasadena’s Rose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by also includes street dancing, presented by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of celebration that came from the dance of celebration that came from the Cordillera region.Cordillera region.

Kaamulan Festival

KaamulanKaamulan second half of February to March 10 second half of February to March 10

The Kaamulan Festival is a The Kaamulan Festival is a BukidnonBukidnon ethnic- ethnic-cultural festival, from the Binukid word cultural festival, from the Binukid word amul, “to gather”, is an indigenous Bukidnon amul, “to gather”, is an indigenous Bukidnon term for a gathering for any purpose. term for a gathering for any purpose.

The Festival is held in The Festival is held in Malaybalay CityMalaybalay City from from the second half of February to March 10, the the second half of February to March 10, the anniversary date of the foundation of anniversary date of the foundation of Bukidnon as a province in 1917, to celebrate Bukidnon as a province in 1917, to celebrate the culture and tradition of the seven ethnic the culture and tradition of the seven ethnic tribal groups—Bukidnon, Higaonon, tribal groups—Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon—that originally inhabited and Umayamnon—that originally inhabited the province. the province.

Moriones Festival

MorionesMorionesHoly WeekHoly Week

The Moriones is an annual festival held on The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Holy Week on the island of MarinduqueMarinduque..

The “Moriones” are men and women in The “Moriones” are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted of biblical Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks – Morion means “mask” or by local folks – Morion means “mask” or “visor,” a part of the medieval Roman “visor,” a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. armor which covers the face.

Maleldo Festival

Maleldo / Cutud Lenten Rites Good FridayGood Friday

Every year on Good Friday or the Every year on Good Friday or the Friday before Easter a dozen or so Friday before Easter a dozen or so penitents – mostly men but with the penitents – mostly men but with the occasional woman – are taken to a rice occasional woman – are taken to a rice field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, field in the barrio of San Pedro Cutud, 3km (2 miles) from the proper of 3km (2 miles) from the proper of City City of San Fernandoof San Fernando, , PampangaPampanga and nailed and nailed to a cross using two-inch (5 cm) to a cross using two-inch (5 cm) stainless steel nails that have been stainless steel nails that have been soaked in alcohol to disinfect them. soaked in alcohol to disinfect them.

Turumba

TurumbaTurumbaBetween April and MayBetween April and May

Every year during the months of April and Every year during the months of April and may, the people of may, the people of PakilPakil, in the province of , in the province of LagunaLaguna celebrates the Turumba Festival. celebrates the Turumba Festival.

It commemorates the seven sorrows of the It commemorates the seven sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is held 7 times each Blessed Virgin Mary. It is held 7 times each year between the months of April and year between the months of April and May. May.

The first is held on the Friday before Palm The first is held on the Friday before Palm Sunday and the last falls on Pentecost Sunday and the last falls on Pentecost Sunday. Sunday.

Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan

Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan1st May – 31st May1st May – 31st May

Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival Flores de Mayo is a Catholic festival held in the Philippines in the month held in the Philippines in the month of May. of May.

Santacruzan is the queen of Maytime Santacruzan is the queen of Maytime festivals. It is a novena procession, in festivals. It is a novena procession, in commemoration of Saint Helena’s commemoration of Saint Helena’s finding of the cross. Saint Helena was finding of the cross. Saint Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great. the mother of Constantine the Great.

Carabao Festival

Carabao Festival 14th May – 15th May14th May – 15th May

Begining May 14th, the people of Begining May 14th, the people of PulilanPulilan in in BulacanBulacan Province, Province, San IsidroSan Isidro in in Nueva EcijaNueva Ecija Province, and Province, and AngonoAngono in in RizalRizal Province Province celebrate for two days. celebrate for two days.

On the first day, farmers pay pay homage On the first day, farmers pay pay homage to the beast of burden which is the to the beast of burden which is the farmer’s best friend – the lowly carabao. farmer’s best friend – the lowly carabao.

In the afternoon, farmers lead their In the afternoon, farmers lead their carabaos to the church square to be part carabaos to the church square to be part of the procession. At the church, the of the procession. At the church, the carabaos kneel for their blessings. carabaos kneel for their blessings.

On the second day, the carabaos compete On the second day, the carabaos compete in a friendly race. in a friendly race.

Pahiyas Festival

Pahiyas FestivalPahiyas Festival 15th May 15th May

Lucban celebrates the Pahiyas Festival Lucban celebrates the Pahiyas Festival in honor of the patron saint of farmers, in honor of the patron saint of farmers, St. Isidore. St. Isidore.

This festival showcases a street of This festival showcases a street of houses which are adorned with fruits, houses which are adorned with fruits, vegetables, agricultural products, vegetables, agricultural products, handicrafts and kiping, a rice-made handicrafts and kiping, a rice-made decoration, which afterwards can be decoration, which afterwards can be eaten grilled or fried. The houses are eaten grilled or fried. The houses are judged and the best one is proclaimed judged and the best one is proclaimed the winner. the winner.

Obando Fertility Rites

Obando Fertility RitesObando Fertility Rites17th May – 19th May17th May – 19th May

““Santa Clarang pinong-pino, Ang pangako ko ay ganito, Santa Clarang pinong-pino, Ang pangako ko ay ganito, Pagdating ko sa Obando, Sasayaw ako ng pandanggo.”Pagdating ko sa Obando, Sasayaw ako ng pandanggo.”

The Obando Fertility Rites are a Filipino dance ritual. Every The Obando Fertility Rites are a Filipino dance ritual. Every year during the month of May, to the tune of musical year during the month of May, to the tune of musical instruments made out of bamboo materials, the men, instruments made out of bamboo materials, the men, women and children of women and children of Obando, BulacanObando, Bulacan, Philippines wear , Philippines wear traditional dance costumes to dance on the streets followed traditional dance costumes to dance on the streets followed by the images of their patron saints San Pascual Baylon (St. by the images of their patron saints San Pascual Baylon (St. Paschal), Santa Clara (St. Clare) and Nuestra Señora de Paschal), Santa Clara (St. Clare) and Nuestra Señora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao), while singing the song Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao), while singing the song Santa Clara Pinung-Pino. Santa Clara Pinung-Pino.

The feast days or dance festivals are held for three The feast days or dance festivals are held for three consecutive days: May 17 for St. Paschal, May 18 for St. consecutive days: May 17 for St. Paschal, May 18 for St. Claire and May 19 for the Our Lady of Salambaw. Claire and May 19 for the Our Lady of Salambaw.

What makes the Obando fiesta unique among Philippine What makes the Obando fiesta unique among Philippine festivals is the dance performed in the streets by the festivals is the dance performed in the streets by the childless women. childless women.

Pintados

PINTADOS FESTIVALPINTADOS FESTIVAL 29th June29th June

The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-The Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival is a merry-making event lasting a whole month, making event lasting a whole month, highlights of which include the highlights of which include the LeyteLeyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the Pagrayhak Grand Parade.Pagrayhak Grand Parade.

The Leyteños celebrate a religious festival in a The Leyteños celebrate a religious festival in a unique and colorful way. Since the Visayans unique and colorful way. Since the Visayans are experienced in the art of body tattooing, are experienced in the art of body tattooing, men and women are fond of tattooing men and women are fond of tattooing themselves. themselves.

SANDUGO FESTIVALSANDUGO FESTIVAL

SANDUGO FESTIVAL SANDUGO FESTIVAL July 1-2 July 1-2

The Spanish colonization of the Philippines The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on the shores of the shores of BoholBohol. This historic event is . This historic event is remembered today with an all-out fiesta at remembered today with an all-out fiesta at the island's capital city. the island's capital city.

Check out the Sandugo street dancing Check out the Sandugo street dancing parade featuring ten colorfully-dressed parade featuring ten colorfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. groups dancing to the beat of drums.

There's also a traditional Filipino carnival, There's also a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant, among the Sandugo Beauty Pageant, among the dozen of other exciting activities. dozen of other exciting activities.

Kadayawan Festival

Kadayawan Festival Third week of AugustThird week of August

The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival The Kadayawan Festival is an annual festival in the city of in the city of DavaoDavao in the Philippines. in the Philippines.

Its name derives from the friendly greeting Its name derives from the friendly greeting “Madayaw”, from the Dabawenyo word “Madayaw”, from the Dabawenyo word “dayaw”, meaning good, valuable, superior “dayaw”, meaning good, valuable, superior or beautiful. or beautiful.

The festival is a celebration of life, a The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living. and serenity of living.

Peñafrancia Fluvial Festival

Penafrancia FluvialPenafrancia FluvialThird Saturday and Sunday of SeptemberThird Saturday and Sunday of September

The Peñafrancia Festival in The Peñafrancia Festival in Naga City, Naga City, Camarines SurCamarines Sur, Bicol Region. During the , Bicol Region. During the festivities, people attend church services, festivities, people attend church services, followed by parades on the streets, followed by parades on the streets, fireworks, and feasting. fireworks, and feasting.

The ninth day, usually falling on the third The ninth day, usually falling on the third Saturday of September, is marked by a Saturday of September, is marked by a fluvial procession. fluvial procession.

The image of the Virgin Mary is carried on a The image of the Virgin Mary is carried on a barge which is trailed by thousands of barge which is trailed by thousands of devotees in boats gliding alongside. People devotees in boats gliding alongside. People who line the river banks shout “Viva la who line the river banks shout “Viva la Virgen! as the Virgin passes by. Virgen! as the Virgin passes by.

ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVALFESTIVAL

ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVALZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL Date: October 10-12Date: October 10-12

All roads in Mindanao lead to All roads in Mindanao lead to ZamboangaZamboanga, , as the "City of Flowers" celebrates its as the "City of Flowers" celebrates its grand, annual Hermosa Festival. grand, annual Hermosa Festival.

The vintas, those colorful native sea boats, The vintas, those colorful native sea boats, once again make their appearance in a once again make their appearance in a fast-paced, race-till-you-drop regatta. fast-paced, race-till-you-drop regatta.

There's also a wealth of cultural and flower There's also a wealth of cultural and flower shows, art exhibits, and trade fairs. It's an shows, art exhibits, and trade fairs. It's an all-out celebration of life - Chavacano all-out celebration of life - Chavacano style! style!

MassKara Festival

MassKara FestivalMassKara Festival 3rd weekend nearest to 19th October3rd weekend nearest to 19th October

The MassKara Festival is a week-long festival held The MassKara Festival is a week-long festival held each year in each year in Bacolod CityBacolod City, the capital of Negros , the capital of Negros Occidental province. Occidental province.

The festival features a street dance competition The festival features a street dance competition where people from all walks of life troop to the where people from all walks of life troop to the streets to see colorfully-masked dancers gyrating streets to see colorfully-masked dancers gyrating to the rhythm of Latin musical beats in a display to the rhythm of Latin musical beats in a display of mastery, gaiety, coordination and stamina. of mastery, gaiety, coordination and stamina.

The word MassKara has a double meaning. First, The word MassKara has a double meaning. First, it is a fusion of the English word “mass” or many it is a fusion of the English word “mass” or many and “kara”, the Spanish word for “face.” and “kara”, the Spanish word for “face.” MassKara then becomes a “mass of faces,” and MassKara then becomes a “mass of faces,” and these faces have to be smiling to project Bacolod these faces have to be smiling to project Bacolod already known in the late 70’s as the City of already known in the late 70’s as the City of Smiles. Smiles.

Lanzones Festival

Lanzones Festival25th October25th October

Each year there is a Lanzones Each year there is a Lanzones Festival held in October. The week-Festival held in October. The week-long festival is one of the more long festival is one of the more colorful events in the Philippines. colorful events in the Philippines.

The Lanzones festival celebrated its The Lanzones festival celebrated its 30th Anniversary last October 2009. 30th Anniversary last October 2009.

Higantes Festival

HigantesHigantes23rd November23rd November

AngonoAngono celebrates the “Higantes Festival” which celebrates the “Higantes Festival” which coincides with the Feast of Saint Clement, the coincides with the Feast of Saint Clement, the Patron Saint of Angono. Patron Saint of Angono.

Higantes Festival is now promoted as tourism-Higantes Festival is now promoted as tourism-generating event in the country. This attracts generating event in the country. This attracts numerous tourist from all over the world. numerous tourist from all over the world.

The higantes are made of paper-mache. Higantes The higantes are made of paper-mache. Higantes measures four to five feet in diameter and ten to measures four to five feet in diameter and ten to twelve feet in height. twelve feet in height.

Traditionally, it began in the last century when Traditionally, it began in the last century when Angono was a Spanish hacienda. This higantes Angono was a Spanish hacienda. This higantes was influenced by the Mexican art form of paper-was influenced by the Mexican art form of paper-mache brought by the Spanish priests to the mache brought by the Spanish priests to the Philippines. Philippines.

Giant Lanterns Festival

Giant Lanterns Festival December – Saturday before Christmas EveDecember – Saturday before Christmas Eve

The Giant Lanterns Festival is an The Giant Lanterns Festival is an annual festival held in December annual festival held in December (Saturday before Christmas Eve) in (Saturday before Christmas Eve) in the City of the City of San FernandoSan Fernando in the in the Philippines. Philippines.

The festival features a competition of The festival features a competition of giant lanterns. Because of the giant lanterns. Because of the popularity of the festival, the city has popularity of the festival, the city has been nicknamed the “Christmas been nicknamed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines”. Capital of the Philippines”.