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January
Feast of the Black Nazarene
Date: January 9th Location: Quiapo, Manila
A grand Fiesta, this festival centers on the image of the Black Nazarene
which was transported by galleon from Mexico to Manila in the 17th
century. The festival is marked by an afternoon procession by thousands
of devotees.
Ati-Atihan
Date: January 16-22 Location: 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.
Pasungay
Date: Every 2nd Saturday of January Location: 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 Festival
Date: Every third weekend of January Location: 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
Date: Every fourth weekend of January Location: 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
Date: Every third Sunday of January Location: 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.
Romblon's Biniray Festival
Date: Jan 9. The origins of the Biniray Festival date back well over 400 years to the earliest days of European colonialism in the islands. It has its roots in the adoration of the Santo Nino statue of Cebu which, along with Magellan's Cross, is the oldest and most celebrated Christian relic in the Philippines. Crafted by Flemish artisans, the statue was brought to Cebu by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.
COCONUT FESTIVAL
Jan 11-14. The 14th Street
Dancing Competition, San Pablo City’s own version of Mardi Gras, will be
held this coming January 13 under the personal sponsorship of Mayor
Vicente Amante and being managed by the 14th Coconut Festival and Fair
Executive Committee headed by City Administrator Loreto S. Amante.
It is not only a cultural affair as mandated by Republic Act No. 7356,
an act creating the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA),
but an economic activity designed to promote environmental awareness and
appreciation of indigenous products, and parochial culture, though some
are of Spanish, Chinese, American and Japanese origin, according to
Kagawad Kristine Ann A. Picazo, president of the 80-member Federation of
Sangguniang Kabataan of San Pablo City.
February
Feast of Our Lady of Candles
Date: February 2 Location: Jara, Iloilo City
The biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas. The
blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the
Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her
court which highlights the celebration.
KITE FESTIVAL
February 02 /Mariano Perdices Memorial Coliseum,
Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
(1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)
An annual national kite flying competition initiated by the Rotary Club
of Dumaguete East.
PAMULINAWEN
February 02-11 / Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (9 hours
from Manila by land)
A feast honoring Saint William the Hermit, the festival aims to pay
tribute to the city's hardworking residents, offering them a weeklong
schedule of pure fun and play.
CHINESE FOOD
FESTIVAL
February 03-05 / Glorietta, Makati City, Metro
Manila (30 minutes from Manila)
Celebration of the Chinese New Year in cooperation with Ayala Center and
all Makati-based hotels.
FISTAHAN 2009
2nd week of February / Davao City (1 hour 45
minutes from Manila by air)
A culinary festival that features Davao's grilled tuna specialties such
as "panga and buntot".
TINAGBA FESTIVAL
February 11 / Iriga City, Camarines Sur A lively, folksy
procession wherein carabao carts are brought out and decorated with all
kinds of fruits and vegetables. An Iriganon way of giving thanks for a
bountiful season.
SERENATA
February 11 / Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila Muntinlupa City's version of "brass band heaven" - a loud, lyrical night hosted by more than thirty bands from all over the city.
SUMAN FESTIVAL
ITIK-ITIK FESTIVAL
PANAGBENGA - BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL
PANAGBENGA - BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL
Baguio City: February 1- February 29
Biggest Baguio festival of Cordillera flowers on parade, with garden
shows, exhibits, l
KALILANGAN FESTIVAL
34th INTERNATIONAL BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVAL
March
Parraw
Regatta
Date: First Sunday
of March Location: 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 Muslim Festival 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.
GULING-GULING
FESTIVAL
March 05 / Paoay, Ilocos Norte (9 hours from Manila by land)
An exciting and calendrical rites in Paoay where townsfolk and guests
participate in street dancing and singing dressed in native costumes,
held on Ash Wednesday.
KAAMULAN FESTIVAL
1st weekend of March / Malaybalay City, Bukidnon (1 hour 30 minutes from
Manila to Cagayan de Oro City by air; 1 hour 30 minutes from Cagayan de
Oro City to Malaybalay City by land)
A showcase of tribal/ethnic songs, dances, games, crafts and rituals.
ARYA! ABRA FESTIVAL
March 07-11 / Bangued, Abra (9 hours from Manila by land)
Abra's biggest festival highlights of which are "Karerakit" bamboo
rafting along Calaba River and Tinguan Festival of the tribal natives of
Abra.
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April
Via Crusis
Date: April 1 Location: 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
Date: Holy Week Location: Magpet, Cotabato
An annual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration
of a bountiful harvest.
Moriones Festival
Date: Holy Week Location: Boac, Magpoc, Marinduque
One of the most famous of Philippine festivals. Colorfully garbed and
masked as Roman soldiers and centurions, locals reenact the life of
Longinus culminating in his beheading. The entire towns of Boac, Morpog
and Gasan are virtually converted into huge stages as the story as
Longinus unfolds.
Turumba
Date: Good Friday Location: Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the
streets, procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.
Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras
Date: Good Friday Location: Jordan, Guimaras
Lenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan with locals as actors.
This ala-Oberrammergou event has been attracting hundreds of foreign and
domestic tourists: Local devotees' visit usually culminates in the trek
to "Balaan Bukid" or Holy Mountain where a huge cross is planted by the
chapel overlooking Guimaras Strait and Iloilo City.
Lamilamihan Festival
Date: 2nd or 3rd Week of April Location: 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.
Manaoag Pilgrimage
Date: 2nd Week of April Location: 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.
Pista'y Dayat
Date: May 1 Location: 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
Date: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Location: 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
Date: May 14 - Location: 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.
Pulillan Carabao
Date: May 14 Location: 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
Date: May 15 Location: 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.
Obando Fertility Rites
Date: May 17 to 19 Location: Obando, Bulacan
A three day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta.
Clara and Nuestra Senora de Salambao. Childless couples, thankful
parents, grateful farmers and fishermen dance along the streets together
with colorfully customed women to pray for children and a good harvest.
Tapusan sa Kawit
Date: May 30 Location: 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
Date: May Location: 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.
Independence Day
Date: June 12 Location: 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.
Parada ng Lechon
Date: June 24 Location: 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
Date: June 29 Location: Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños' old custom of
tattooing that signifies courage and status in the community
Paaway sa Kabayo (Horsefight)
Date: July 25 and December 25 Location: Tanjay,
Negros Orriental An exciting, thrilling and oftentimes
bloody fight among studs for supremacy over a female horse. More than
100 horses have been trained solely for this twice a year event.
Bocaue
River Festival
Date: First Sunday of July Location: Bocaue,
Bulacan
A famous river festival held in honor of the miraculous Cross of Bocaue
(Krus ng Wawa). During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the
"pagoda" and douse each other with water
Rajah Baguinda Festival
Date: 2nd Week of August Location: Jolo, Sulu
A three-day cultural show and festivites commemorating the arrival
of Rajah Baguinda who was responsible for the spread of Islam and
reinforcing the Sultanate Government in the Sulu Archipelago.
Kadayawan sa Dabaw
Date: 3rd Week of August Location: 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.
Lemlunay (T'Boli Tribal Festival)
Date: September 16-18 Location: Lake Sebu, South
Cotabato
An annual authentic T'boli tribal festival staged at Lake Sebu. Features
tribal rituals that start at early down amidst sounds of gongs and
native music, culminating at the town plaza where cultural dances and
ethic sports like horsefight are held.
Feast of Nuestra Senorra Penafrancia
Date: 3rd Saturday of September Location: Naga
City, Camarines Sur A religious festival held in
hornor of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Bicol's most revered
patrones highlighted by the fluvial procession of the Lady's image down
the Bicol river. The week-long-celebration includes civic-military
parade, sportsfests, exhibits, cultural shows, beauty pageants and
colorful competitions.
Maskara
Festival
Date: October 19 Location: 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
Date: October 19-22 Location: 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
Date: 2nd Sunday of October Location: 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
Feast of San Clemente/Higantes Festival
Date: November 22-23 Location: Angono, Rizal
Angono's joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent
in papal vestment, is borne by male devotees during a procession
accompanied by "pahadores (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes,
wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles) and higantes" (giant paper mache
effigies) The street event culminates in a fluvial procession in Laguna
de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back to
its sanctuary.
Grand
Cordillera Festival
Date: November Location: Baguio City
One of the region's major events held annualy featuring the gathering of
tribes in a week-long event to "celebrate life" marked by tribal dancing
and performances of thanksgiving rituals.
Marian
Procession
Date: December 8 Location: Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed
Virgin Mary from various parishes and provinces paraded.
Pagdidiwata
Date: December 8 Location: 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
Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion
Date: December 8 Location: Intramuros, Manila
An Eucharistic celebrabration of the Feast Day of the La Immaculada,
patroness of Intramuros, capped by a grand procession of more than 50
Marian images from all over the country and participated in by thousands
of devotees.
Bikol Pastores
Date: December 18 Location: 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
Date: December Location: 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
Date: December 28-30 Location: 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