10 Philippine Festivals You Must Witness At Least Once
In a country of 7,107 islands, it’s only a given that countless local traditions flourish. From the towns and cities across the country, festivals are often borne out of the Catholic faith or to celebrate thanksgiving for bountiful harvests. With a new one sprouting every now and then, it’s near impossible to determine the exact number of festivals in the Philippines. There’s at least one every month that it’s tempting to visit at least twelve festivals in a year.
It’s a challenge to limit this list to just ten festivals, but here are ten of the most intriguing, if not merriest, festivals in the country.
1. Sinulog Festival
Where: Cebu City
When: Every third Sunday of January
Probably the most celebrated festival in the country, Sinulog Festival in Cebu has hundreds of thousand visitors yearly. The festival celebrates the Filipinos’ pagan origins and our conversion to Christianity. It often lasts for nine and culminates on a Sunday with the Sinulog Grand Parade.
(Photo credit: Philstar.com)
2. Pahiyas Festival
Where: Lucban, Laguna
When: May 15 annually
One of the most colorful sights you can see in the country are streets upon streets of houses decorated with fruits, vegetables and kiping, brightly-colored dried rice flour in the shape of leaves, during the Pahiyas Festival.
(Photo credit: Pinoy Adventurista)
3. Panagbenga Festival
Where: Baguio City
When: Every February
The Flower Festival is a month-long event that celebrates the season of blooming. The festival was established to pay tribute to the city’s flowers and to show resistance and strength to rise again after the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake. The highlights of the festival are street dancing and the floral float parade.
4. Panag-apoy Festival
Where: Sagada
When: November 1
Sagada’s Festival of Lights is a tradition in Mountain Province where the town residents light a fire to remember the departed. The bonfire surrounding the graves in the cemetery is the Sagadians’ way of guiding and warming the souls of those who already left.
(Photo credit: Trekero)
5. Ati-Atihan Festival
Where: Kalibo, Aklan
When: Third week of January
Known as “The Philippine Mardi Gras” and the wildest festival in the country. Ati-Atihan displays the enthralling native dance competition where everyone is encourage to participate and dance with the performers. The participants of the dance competition are from the local groups with unique tribal tradition all around the province of Aklan.
(Photo credit: Mitchell Kanashkevich)
6. Masskara Festival
Where: Bacolod City
When: Third weekend of October, or the weekend nearest October 19
A pun on the Filipino word maskara (mask), the name of the Masskara Festival is coined by joining the words mass and cara, a Spanish word meaning face. The maskara painted with a smiling face is the prominent part of the festival. After all, Bacolod City is also known as the City of Smiles.
(Photo credit: Achilez.com)
7. Dinagyang Festival
Where: Iloilo City
When: Every fourth Sunday of January
Used to be known as Iloilo Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang has now made a name for itself, a pretty good one at that. The festival honors Santo Niño, whom Ilonggos believe to be miraculous during trying times such as drought or famine. Dagoy, depicted as a young Aeta warrior, is Dinagyang Festival’s mascot.
(Photo credit: Pinoy Adventurer)
8. Kadayawan sa Dabaw
Where: Davao City
When: Every third week of August
This festival of thanksgiving in Davao was started by the government to unite the Davaoeños after martial law and to promote the city as a beautiful and colorful place. The streets are decorated with fruits and vegetables as the float parade and street dancing commence, featuring the dancers in tribal costumes and jewelries.
(Photo credit: All About Davao)
9. Obando Fiesta and Dance
Where: Obando, Bulacan
When: Three days of May
A festival of dance and prayer, Obando is most known for the childless couples who dance to the Virgen de Salambao, whom they believe can increase their chances of reproduction. But it’s not just for those who want a child, since those who want a wife can dance to San Pascual Baylon and those praying for a husband dance to Santa Clara de Assisi.
(Photo credit: Expat in the Philippines)
10. Aliwan Fiesta
Where: Star City Complex, Pasay City
When: Either April or May
Of all the festivals in this list, this one’s the most recent. Dubbed as the “Mother of All Festivals,” Aliwan Fiesta gathers different cultural festivals around the country in magnificent dance parade and float competitions.
(Photo credit: Pinas Muna)
It’s impossible to choose which festival is the best, as each one has its own charms and unique traditions. Just remember that many festivals promote merry-making, but some of these encourage respect and solemnity during the celebration.
What’s your favorite Philippine festival, in this list or not? Share them on the comments below!
Jane Galvez is a ditzy daydreamer and wannabe writer from Makati. She enjoys good sci-fi and cheesy YA. You can read more of her musings on Oh My Janey. She’s also a self-professed fangirl. She rants over here.
