Philippine Arts & Culture

ARTS & CULTURE

List of Philippine Festivals

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

JANUARY
1. FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE

January 9, Quiapo Church, Manila: People go to Quiapo Church, Manila to honor the miraculous wooden black statue of Jesus Christ carried by male devotees during the procession.

2. BINIRAY

January 9, Romblon: A festival parade in the sea followed by a celebration in Romblon3.

3. LINGAYEN GULF LANDING

January 9, Lingayen, Pangasinan: Held in Lingayen Pangasinan, it commemorates the landing of General MacArthur’s Allied Forces in Luzon in 1945.

4. ATI-ATIHAN

Third Week, Kalibo, Aklan: The Ati-Atihan Festival honors the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the indigenous Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Niño. The constant, rhythmic pounding of drums get to you, and before you know it you are on the street, shuffling your feet, shaking your head, waving your hands - and joining thousands of soot-blacked, gaily-costumed revelers in an ancient ritual of mindless happiness. A familiar battle cry reaches your ears, and amidst all this bewilderment you remember where you are: Kalibo, Aklan. "Viva, Sto. Niño!" The Ati-Atihan celebration is boomed in many parts of the country.

5. DARO SINULOG

Third Week, Dumaguete Negros: A moving pageantry depicting Holy Child’s conversation of pagan tribes.

6. SINULOG

Third Sunday of January, Cebu City: Cebu City's fiesta of fiestas. Distinguished by its unusual two-steps-forward-and-one-step-backward shuffle, thus simulating the Holy Child of the shores, the Sinulog is a century-old tradition observed in the part of Visayas region. The prayer-dance is harmonized to the beat of drums and shouts of "Pit Señor! Viva Sto. Niño!”. Feel free to dance with the best of them, enjoying all the way to the grand final presentation at the Cebu City Sports Center.

7. CARACOL SA MAKATI

Last Sunday in January, Makati City, Manila: Groups dress as endangered flora and fauna to express the need to preserve and conserve our natural heritage. Caracol is a Spanish term for snail.

8. VIGAN TOWN FIESTA

Fourth Week: The highlight of the week long celebration is the procession in honor of Vigan’s patron saint, St. Paul the Apostle.

9. APRIBADA

Donsol, Sorsogon: A celebration welcoming the whale shark (butanding) season and the blessing it will bring.

10. DINAGYANG

Fourth Weekend , Iloilo City: Merry mayhem breaks loose in Iloilo City during this weekend, when Ilonggos leave everything behind to join in the fiesta of the year. All shyness are dropped: boring everyday clothes are exchanged for "Ati" warrior costumes and black body paint. Shields and "weapons" are held amidst the pounding rhythm of drums, the costumed Ilonggos put their best feet forward in celebration of Dinagyang!

FEBRUARY
1. HOT AIR BALLOON

Early February, Clark Special Economic Zone: An annual tournament of balloonist from various countries. Features aerosport shows, kite flying, games, live bands and exhibitions.

2. FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES

Jaro, Ilo-ilo: The largest and the most wealthy religious pageantry in Western Visayas.

3. FESTIVAL OF HEARTS

month long, Tanjay City: Major festival of romance to highlight Valentine’s Day.

4. LAOAG CITY AND PROVINCE (Pamulinawen)

February 7 to 10, Laoag City: Features a colorful floral parade and celebrates the Feast of William, the toem’s patron saint.

5. SAN FERNANDO, LA UNION

Februray 7 to 10, La Union: Musical extravaganzas, trade fairs and pageants featuring show business and celebrity personalities.

6. TINAGBA

Feruary 11, Bicol: A harvest festival in which coincides with the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Main feature is a parade of colorful and grandiosely decorated bull carabao carts

7. INTERNATIONAL BAMBOO ORGAN

Las Piñas: A 10 day cultural event which features international classical performers and utilizes the ancient bamboo organ of St. Joseph’s Parish Church, Las Piñas.

8. TAWO – TAWO

February 17, Bayawan City: Giant, paper mache scarecrows highlight their roles as guardians of Bayawan City crops.

9. DIA DE ZAMBOANGA

February 26: A celebration of cultural and religious harmony between Christians and Muslims in this most cosmopolitan of Philippine cities. Marks the date when Zamboanga became a city.

10. PANAGBENGA

Fourth Week , Baguio City: It's 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 - masked, of course, as the Panagbenga parade floats.

11. SANTIAGO CITY ARTS MONTH

February 1- 28, Santiago City: Folk traditions in music, dance and play and a painting contest featuring home grown talents.

12. SAMBALILO

February 1 -28Paranaque City and Metro Manila: Parañaque and Metro Manila celebrates cityhood with dance contests.

13. SUMAN Festival

Third Week, Town of Baler in Aurora Province: The festival highlights the varied rice cake delicacies.

14. KALILANGAN

Fourth Week, General Santos City: A celebration of the harmonious co-existence of numerous cultural and religious communities.

15. ITIK-ITIK

Last Sunday, Pasig City: Celebrates the native duck (itik).

16. SIBUG - SIBUG FESTIVAL

February 17 to 26, Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay: Sibug – Sibug Festival is celebrated during their foundation day on the province of Sibugay on February 26, with colorful Ethnic Street dancing with rituals illustrating good harvest, wedding and healing rituals. During the festival, it endorses it’s number one product which is the oyster or talaba in tagalog which has been known to be the biggest, juiciest, and meatiest oysters in the country.

TRAVEL DIRECTORY