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JANUARY:
ATI-ATIHAN
January 16-22 - Kalibo, Aklan
One of the most popular of the Philippine festivals, the Ati-atihan is a celebration
in honor of the Sto. Niño. Revelers don colorful costumes and paint their bodies black
and dance to the distictive beat of "Hala bira!" around the town.
Mostly Filipino youths participate in the programs. These youngters practice for a
long time to perfect their performances. A lot of people enjoy this event because of
the music and the tribal dance steps.
PASUNGAY
Every 2nd Saturday of January - San Joaquin, Iloilo
A festival of bulls on the hillsides of San Joaquin. Prized bulls from the town and
neighboring areas fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.
SINULOG
Every third weeken of January - Cebu City, Cebu
The Feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated in Cebu with a
procession, street dancing competition and a fluvial parade. Much like the Ati-atihan,
the Sinulog Festival is marked by frenzied reverly to the chant of "Pit Senor!"
DINAGYANG
Every fourth weekend of January - Iloilo City, Iloilo
Spectacle characterized by a frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is
a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and
chanting all day and night.
ZAMBULAWAN
Every third Sunday of January - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
The founding of Pagadian City showcases the Subanon tribe's rich cultural heritage by
way of songs, dances and exhibits of musical instruments.
FEBRUARY :
PANAGBENGA
23 February-3 March, Baguio City
Its flower season in the city of Pines - perfect timing for an all-out fiesta in the streets.
The Baguio folk take a break on these days to revel in the cool climate and the unique
culture of the city. Multi-hued costumes are worn, mimicking the various blooms of
the highland region (or any of its 11 ethnic tribes). These are flowerbeds - disguised,
of course, as the Panagbenga parade floats.
KAAMULAN
28 February-3 March, Malaybalay-Bukidnoon
Expect the Bukidnon to go tribal from the first to the second week of March, when the
streets of Malaybalay take on that familiar fiesta theme. Banners, banderitas, and beer
will be norm, as well as the sweet, haunting sound of native music. An early morning
pamuhat ritual kicks off the festivities, to be followed by an ethnic food fest, trade
fairs, and a lot of native dancing.
MARCH :
PARAW REGATTA
First Sunday of March - Iloilo City
An exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and
Iloilo City. This is an activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers.
EID-EL-FITR
March 9 - Region XII
A worldwide Muslim festival celebrating the end of the month-long fasting period of
the Holy Month of Ramadam by the Muslims.
APRIL:
VIA CRUSIS
April 1 - Cebu City
A lenten activity where devotees from Cebu City and its neighboring cities and towns
do their penitential procession through cities the Station of the Cross built on 12
hectares of rolling hills. the life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross have been
patterned after the Way of the Cross in Lourdes, France.
PAK'KAAT KALLO
Holy Week - Magpet, Cotabato
An anuual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration of a
bountiful harvest.
MORIONES FESTIVAL
TURUMBA
Good Friday - Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the streets,
procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.
LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL
2nd or 3rd Week of april - Lamitan, Basilan
A yearly festival coinciding with the founding of Lamitan Municipality; showcases
the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and traditional crafts.
CUTUD LENTEN RITES
16-18 April, San Fernando-Pampanga,
Prayer of a different meaning during the Lenten season, when villagers of San Pedro,
Cutud, engage in the act of self-flagellation. This ancient ritual is performed in the
morning of Good Friday during the Holy Week. Backs, arms, and legs are cut and
then struck with burillo whips. The climax to this occasion happens at midday, when
penitents are literally nailed to their waiting crosses.
MANAOAG PILGRIMAGE
2nd Week of April - Pangasinan
Annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Known to local pilgrims /
tourists as miraculous, the Virgin's image has become one of Manaoag's main
attractions. Pilgrims' vehicles are blessed every Saturday.
MAY :
PISTA'Y DAYAT
May 1 - Lingayen, Pangasinan
A day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed all over
Pangasinan traditional with mass offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial parade.
SANTACRUZAN
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Nationwide
The Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena's finding the "True
Cross"; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On the ninth day,
usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a
little boy representing King Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical
characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated arches.
CARABAO FESTIVAL
May 14 - Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao carts bearing a
myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to the strongest and most beautifully
decorated carabaos.
PULILAN CARABAO
May 14 - Pulilan, Bulacan
Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by theis farmer-owners on the
street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down homage to San Isidro
de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.
PAHIYAS SA QUEZON
May 15 - Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon
Homes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped rice kropeck)
and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession and other activities.
TAPUSAN SA KAWIT
May 30 - Kawit, Cavite
A procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime honors the
Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town's most beautiful young ladies
symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.
ANTIPOLO PILGRIMAGE
May - Antipolo, Rizal
A month-long celebration that brings devotees and pilgrims to venerate the Lady of
Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in Antipolo Church and afterwards, picnic to
nearby Hinulugang Taktak.
JUNE :
INDEPENDENCE DAY
June 12 - Kawit, Cavite
Independence Day Celebration, marked by a flag raising ceremony on the balcony of
the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where the first Philippine flag was unfurled.
PINYAHAN SA DAET
15-24June, Daet-Camarines Sur
Sweet, succulent pineapple is the fruit of choice for the people of Daet, Camarines
Norte. In fact, they loved it so much that they made a festival in its honour. Join the
locals as they celebrate the Pineapple Festival featuring a colourful street presentation
complemented by art exhibits, trade fair, cultural dances, and sport events. Feel rich
when you go for a visit at Paracale Gold Mines, and be acquainted with some Bicol
heroes like Vinzon and Panganiban and Lucban.
MUDPACK FESTIVAL
June 24, Murcia-Negros Occidental
Oneness with nature is the underlying theme behind Murcia's annual mud-moving
spectacle. Check on its murky highlight - a lively street dancing parade with the
participant wearing nothing but mudpacks (well, almost...). It's a sure fire way to mix
our ecological concerns with good, clean, cloddy fun - just be sure to shower
afterwards!
PARADA NG LECHON
June 24 - Balayan, Batangas
The parading on the Feast of St. John the Baptist of "dressed" and decorated "lechons"
(roasted pigs) around town. Revelers partake of the lechons after the parade.
PINTADOS FESTIVAL
June 29 - Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños' old custom of tattooing that
signifies courage and status in the community.
JULY :
SANDUGO FESTIVAL
1-2 July, Tagbilaran City
The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on
the shores of Bohol. This historic event is remembered today with an all-out fiesta at
the island's capital city. Check out the Sandugo street dancing parade featuring ten
colourfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. There's also a traditional
Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant,
among the dozen of other exciting activities.
KINABAYO FESTIVAL
Dapitan City, 25July. An exotic and colourful pageant re-enacting the
Spanish-Moorish wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces
under General Pelagio took their last stand against Saracan. They were able to reverse
the tide through the miraculous apparition of St. James. The addition of local colour
and innovation has made this annual revelry a popular attraction which brings
thousands of visitors to the city.
AUGUST :
KADAYAWAN SA DABAW
3rd Week of August - Davao City
A celebration of the bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season.
Activities include fruit and flower show, trade fair, tribal/civic/military parade,
traditional sports activities, horsefight, Search for B'yaneng Kadayawan and street
dancing.
SEPTEMBER:
OCTOBER :
HERMOSA FESTIVAL
Zamboanga City, 10-12October. All roads in Mindanao lead to Zamboanga, as the
"City of Flowers" celebrates its grand, annual Hermosa Festival. The vintas, those
colourful native sea boats, once again make their appearance in a fast-paced,
race-till-you-drop regatta. There's also a wealth of cultural and flower shows, art
exhibits, and trade fairs. It's an all-out celebration of life - Chavacano style!
MASSKARA FESTIVAL
October 19 - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The biggest annual event that reflects the Bacoleños love for fun and gaiety.
Coinciding with Bacolod City's charter day celebration, the festival features sports
competitions, cultural programs, carnivals, beauty contest and a long Mardi grasstyle
costumed and masked street dancers.
IBALONG FESTIVAL
October 19-22 - Legaspi City
A celebration depicting Bicol's early beginnings as portrayed in the "Ibalong" epic
that tells of super heroes Handiong, Batlog and Oryol and villains and wild animals
that roamed in the ancient times. In music and dances, revelers parade on the main
streets wearing masks of these heroes and villains. Festival activities include tours,
trade fairs, exhibits and beauty pageants.
LA NAVAL DE MANILA
2nd Sunday of October - Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
A festival revolving around the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval carved
in 1533 and given as a gift to the Dominican Fathers. Borne on an elaborately
decorated and well-lit carriage in the form of a ship, the venerated image is brought
out of the church preceded by a dozen or so images of Dominican saints. The
procession goes around the main streets of Sto. Domingo parish and then returns to
the church amidst applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.
NOVEMBER :
DECEMBER :
MARIAN PROCESSION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary
from various parishes and provinces paraded.
PAGDIDIWATA
December 8 - Puerto Princessa, Palawan
A thanks giving celebration by the Tagbanua natives of Palawan in ritual dances and
food offerings to their deities and souls of departed kin
BIKOL PASTORES
December 18 - Legazpi City, Albay
A unique Christmas celebration believed to have originated in the province where
"pastores" - young men and women dressed in colorful shepherd costumes - joyfully
dance and sing "Pastores a Belen" through the city streets.
SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
December - Ermita, Manila
A fiesta in honor of one of the oldest Marian images in the country (it was found by
Legazpi's soldiers amidst the foliage of a pandan shrub on the shores of Ermita in
1571) - the La Nuestra Señora de Guia, patroness of seafarers and also known as Our
Lady of Expectations. The main event of the fiesta is the Bota de Flores, a
reenactment of a select group of young ladies and their escorts in sailor costumes of
the procession returning the La Nuestra Señora de Guia to its reconstructed shrine in
1918.
BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL
December 28-30 - San Jose, Antique
A festive commemoration of an episode in the history of the Filipino race through
colorful pageants acted on the beaches of Maybato in San Jose and Malandog in
Hamtik. Particularly interesting is the drama of the first Malay settlement at malandog
which runs for several days and nights. Binirayan is also an occasion of reunion with
families, relatives and friends of homecoming Antiqueno expatriates.