Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
Tacloban Festivals and Events
Overview
Tacloban City, found in the diverse Visayan region have festivals of their own that pay tribute to the heroes of the past through colorful dances and face paints. To truly understand and appreciate the beauty of Tacloban, it is a must to witness at least one of their festivals.
Pintados Kasadyaan
Pintados Kasadyaan is celebrated every 29th of June and this event lasts a whole month. Pintados Kasadyaan was said to have started from another festival, the feast day of Senor Santo Nino and these parades are held to commemorate the bravery of the Filipinos during the Spanish occupation. The Pintados Kasadyaan has several highlights and since this is a month long of merry making, there are several events held in between such as the Pintados Festival Ritual Dance, Paghayak Grand Parade and dubbed the Festival of Festivals, the Leyte Kasadyaan. During this festival, aside from the festive dancers who perform tribal dances, they recollect the past including folk religion and the wars so that we never forget the roots of Tacloban. Pintados Kasadyaan also showcases the exceptional talent of the Visayans in body art and tattooing and the dancers have themselves tattooed and painted as if they were warriors of old. The streets are jam packed with the performers during Pintados Kasadyaan and the excited onlookers who are dazzled and mesmerized by this event.
Sangyaw Festival
The Sangyaw Festival is also celebrated in Tacloban about a month before the Pintados Kasadyaan. The Sangyaw Festival was held May 11 this year but this date is subject to change and spans about week. This festival involves every member of the community and there are several events scheduled during this week. The Sangyaw Festival is usually started with a band fest with both local and foreign bands playing and some schools hold their cultural night prior to the grand event. The grand event itself of the Sangyaw Festival is a parade held on the streets of Tacloban attended by the tribes, and participated by the ladies dancing on the streets in colorful costumes and accessories. There are contests for street dancing and awards are given for those best in costume, best in music and of course for the Sangyaw Festival grand champion.
The Sangyaw Festival and the Pintados Kasadyaan are just two of the festivals celebrated in Tacloban that showcase the talent of the residents in terms of dancing and costumes. These festivals also provide the onlookers with an experience straight out of history and a chance to experience the culture of Visayas.
Bingo Jambo
If one takes a stroll in most of the big malls here in the Philippines, one would notice that almost all, if not all, have a special area for BINGO enthusiasts. In these halls, people of all ages, and of all walks of life, can be spotted, from a bouncing toddler to a weakly elder, from the masses to the elite all play Bingo. This grand game has been among the favorite past times of Filipino families most especially on weekends.
Bingo is a basically a game of chance wherein random numbers are picked and players match these numbers to their corresponding 5×5 cards which are basically a matrix of numbers and the letters B, I, N, G, O, hence BINGO.
Whenever, a specified pattern is formed, the player shouts “BINGO” to notify the caller of the win and inform other players. The caller will verify the pattern and will declare the winner. A corresponding cash price for the pattern will be given.
Then another pattern is called and another game is played until another player wins. Usually, the game is played in rounds wherein each round has a specified pattern that players aim to form. The pattern becomes more and more difficult round after round and the pot money becomes bigger and bigger, up to the final round, which is famously called as the black-out here in the Philippines. In these rounds all numbers in the matrix must be called and filled out on your card in order to win.
It can be argued that BINGO originated from the similar game Lotto in Italy around 1530. The term BINGO however came from the word Beano in the United States. Beans were used to cover the numbers on the cards back then. It is argued that an excited player shouted Bingo instead of Beano, and the term was adopted then on.
In the Philippines, earlier BINGO games were mostly played in “perias”, an interim amusement place established during fiestas in the different barrios / places. This evolved into a highly popular game and is now often used as a form of charity by religious churches and / or groups, and other fund raising activities. Presently, online and real time games are also available over the web.
Off shoots from the original game have been developed as well, such as Christmas Bingo, Bovine Bingo, Roadkill Bingo etc. Basically the same principles and rules apply, with a little modification for more excitement, and only the rewards are changed. In Christmas Bingo for example, instead of monetary jackpots, gifts are given to the winners, also, at the onset, the cards given to the players are blank and it is up to the players to fill the blanks with numbers from 1 to 40. No duplication of numbers on one card is allowed.
Ormoc Festivals and Events
Overview
The quiet province of Leyte where everyone goes to for privacy and unwinding comes to life with the colorful and lively Ormoc festivals held annually. Ormoc festivals are a chance to mingle with the locals of the province of Leyte, enjoy the sights and sounds of the city and learn about its rich culture and history.
Buyogan Festival
At the top of the list when it comes to Ormoc festivals is the Buyogan Festival and it is highly recommended by both locals and visitors who have experienced it. The Buyogan Festival is celebrated every August and the main attraction of this Ormoc festival is the colorful costumes worn by the residents of Buyogan, a small town in Ormoc. The Buyogan Festival is so named because the entire event centers on “buyog” or bees. The dances performed during this celebration mimic the movement of bees. There is also a dance competition during this whole week affair and the competitors are from the local high schools. The cash winnings provided by the local government during the Buyogan Festival goes to the best performers and the funds are used for certain things that their schools might need.
The Buyogan Festival also honors the patron saint of the town, St. Francis Xavier, and the event is a mixture of something religious and age old pagan beliefs prior to the introduction of Christianity to this province. The legendary fairy Opayda, believed to bring luck to good people is honored in several plays.
Sunduan ha Carigana
Another well known Ormoc festival is the Sunduan ha Carigana which is celebrated during Holy Week but the main event takes place during Easter Sunday. The Sunduan ha Carigana is a joyous event that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and there are several parades held during this Ormoc festival that not only pay tribute to the Catholic faith, but also showcase the rich history of this province. Like most Ormoc festivals, the Sunduan ha Carigana has street dancing and dance competitions where both males and females join. Visitors are most welcome to participate in the activities organized during the Sunduan ha Carigana which have been tailored so that every member of the family would at least have one event to join. Easter Sunday ends with a bang because at the end of the parades and presentations, there is a beautiful fireworks display for all to enjoy, not to mention great food prepared by the locals during the Sunduan ha Carigana.Ormoc festivals are very colorful events that not only honor the dominant religion in this province but also showcase the history and heritage of Leyte’s prominent towns. The Sunduan ha Carigana and the Buyogan Festival are week long events that are filled with fun and laughter as well as activities that everyone can enjoy. Ormoc festivals are events that should not be missed if you want to capture the diversity and beauty of this province.
Enjoying Philippine Fiesta Games
Philippine fiestas are a lot of fun. In general these fiestas include native sports which are referred today as games. Let’s take a look at them.
The most popular Philippine fiesta game is “Palasebo” or the lard hobby. Allegedly, this used to be an athletic training technique which later evolved into a native community pastime. A tall bamboo standing in the middle of an open space is lavished with lard or oil from top to bottom. A small flag is placed on top. The idea is to have one contestant climb the pole without any climbing implement, and half naked. Moreover, contestants of this Philippine fiesta game must have their bodies poured with oil to further toughen up the climb. At times they have all contestants simultaneously climb the pole. The lone survivor to take the flag down is champion of this Philippine fiesta game.
Hitting the hanging earthen pot, or “Palayok” is another favorite Philippine fiesta game. This can well pass for a Zen meditation technique but for the noisy crowd around. A small earthen pot is hanged through a net in the middle of a wide open space. The contestant of this Philippine fiesta game is blindfolded and given a small wooden bat. The idea is to find the way to the pot and hit it solid to break it. The net secures the broken pieces from flying away and hitting someone. At times this Philippine fiesta game varies a bit and the hanging pot is made to dangle for a more challenging hit.
Breaking lose several pigs in a secured perimeter is another Philippine fiesta game. The ground is kept muddy and the male contestants are topless. The idea is to go after the pigs and at least catch one and bring it to the judges. This Philippine fiesta game is a lot of mess but everybody enjoys it.
Another is “Pabitin” or hanging dole outs. This Philippine fiesta game uses a mat of bamboo sticks forming a flat lift. It is suspended in the air. Lots of goodies and toys hang from it, practically covering it. Children stand below waiting for it to be randomly lowered and raised. As the flat lift is lowered the kids jump to grab what they can from the goodies. Then it is raised again for another round.
Philippine fiesta games are distinctly Filipino and are designed for rough, rustic play. They are athletic activities good enough to become sports.
Fiesta Memories
The moro-moro seems to have its origin from the crusaded which, according to history, was a combat between Christians and Muslims. Its characters were drawn from the royalties of both protagonists who were kings, emperors, queens, princes, princesses, and respective warriors who wore costumes that glitter in the evening.
On the other hand, the zarzuela is woven from the common Filipino plot involving a girl from the elite and rich, and a poor but good-looking boy who fell in love with each other against the good wishes of the former’s parents. Among the commoners, a zarzuela is rated as good it is could make them cry.
Between the two entertainers, the elderly folks prefer the moro-moro to the zarzuela. They readily forked out their contributing to the assessment for the fiesta provided that the entertainment would be a moro-moro which lasts for five to seven nights of presentations.
The nightly entertainment is a welcome interlude of the young people of opposite sexes to see each other. Especially from the female gender, it is a good excuse to give to their parents, to go out in the night under the pretext of seeing the moro-moro or zarzuela.
The highest point of interest in the moro-moro is the so called encanto because it showed colorful and varied fireworks. It usually drew a huge number of spectators, coming even from neighboring towns.
The encanto was spawned by the fight between the hero and the forces of evil, consisting of giants and their minions, who called for the lightning and thunder as aids to the combat. Then, after the smoke and fury of the firefight, the hero proudly stood as the victor against the monstrous and fiery villains and allies.
In recent years following my retirement, I visited my native place. I was sad to note, however, that while there have been still the nine-day novena, solemn mass, grand ball, and procession, there was no more diana, bispera, moro-moro, and zarzuela.
The membership of the town band, otherwise called Macrohon Veteran Band which did the early morning Diana, was dissipated because of death or migration to other places for greener pasture. The old members passed away into the great divide while the younger ones migrated in search of better livelihood.
The grand ball or baile in the dialect, was no longer held in the open air municipal tennis court but in a covered court constructed in front of the area where our ancestral house used to stand. It was erected in place of the old and dilapidated school building which, according to our elders then, was constructed by the Japanese.
Well, enough of childhood memories but by the time I was finished reminiscing, the arrival area of the airport announced the new balikbayans. I was excited to meet my cousins and share with them my fiesta memories. In time, they too will form their own memories to share with the rest of the family.
Sto. Nino Feast: A Colorful Philippine Fiesta
Fire works accompanied by a loud band marching in the streets, people clad in aboriginal costume, and people racing to get in line for a front-seat view of the parade… These and more are the common sights of the Philippine fiesta celebrating the so-called religious feast of the Sto. Nino.
Commemoration of this Philippine fiesta goes on around the country in different seasons, depending on the date of a sighting tale of the Sto. Nino. Long ago the “boy Jesus” was said to have landed on Philippine shores and made several miracles in different parts of the archipelago. This was, according to tales, when the boy Jesus “disappeared” from biblical accounts, when he was aged 12 to 30. And those times, according to this tale, he went to the Philippines. Allegedly, where the boy Jesus did miracles, a Philippine fiesta emerged.
Other versions of the religious feast say an old image of the boy Jesus from Spain or other religious country was brought to their place. The said image did lots of miracles, again triggering a religious feast, falling on a date when the miracles started. This again made for another Philippine fiesta of the Sto. Nino on a different date.
This religious feast is celebrated various ways. Some parade an image of the Sto. Nino around the community to be kissed and caressed by devotees. This is accompanied by band playing, parade of marchers in aboriginal costumes, several native games at the plaza (town center), special numbers on a makeshift stage, and a feast or a grand supper later in the community or each home. A Philippine fiesta is always characterized by much eating and merry making, and outsiders and tourists are often invited to witness this religious feast.
In other places, an image of a “urinating” Sto. Nino is paraded. As people gather to touch it, a mechanism triggers the statue to “urinate” on the crowd. Anyone who got pissed on is supposed to receive favors of healing or fortune. Other places observe this Philippine fiesta by parading the image aboard a “pagoda” or a makeshift elevated raft where lots of people join the image in touring the river banks of the town. The rest of the crowd catch up with the pagoda by following it by the river banks on foot.
Though these religious feasts may differ in dates and styles, they all agree that the celebration of this Philippine fiesta ought to be fun—as befits the birthday of a kid. Some mischiefs are allowed to make the religious feast a semblance of a children’s party.
A Whole Year of Banderitas
Aside from festivities with local flavors, the Philippine Islands have events too of international appeal which attracts foreigners. In Las Piñas City, there’s the Bamboo Organ Festival featuring international classical music performers utilizing the legendary bamboo organ of St. Joseph’s Parish Church. In Masbate of the Bicol Province, the Rodeo Filipino can be likened to rodeo shows in the US Midwest or Latin America with activities like bull riding, steer wrestling, calf roping, lassoing on foot, casting down large cattle, and wood chopping.
A whole year of banderitas
Indeed, an imaginary string of banderitas (colorful trimmings) can be wrapped around the Philippines to represent a year-full of celebrations. And we haven’t even talked about the festivals of the Christmas season yet. You may have already known that they have the longest Christmas season in the world, starting as early as October and lasting until February. The spirit of the season could not be contained that you can hear people greeting “Merry Christmas” even during the grim-funny Halloween Night and the deliriously-funny All Souls’ Day.
For devoted Catholics though, the official Christmas season begins at the first Advent Sunday which marks the start of the Simbang Gabi. Friends, lovers, families flock to churches to hear the late night or early morning mass before enjoying hot chocolate and puto bumbong. And the surrounding is really a sight to behold with the multi-colored blinking lights of lanterns. For this, LGUs have started hosting Christmas lantern, tree and other Christmas symbols festivals. In Tangub City, indigenous materials are used to create Christmas symbols to be later displayed in an event. Of course, there’s also the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Pampanga which this year will feature the largest lantern to be ever built.
Indeed, the Filipinos love to party and they party like no other people can. While the trend in western countries like America is to party in one big swoop after toiling at work for a significant time, in a society like the Philippines, every occasion becomes a cause for a celebration and so everyday is a holiday. This may appal non-members of the society but festivities like these merely reflect the Filipinos’ zest for life and their unwavering capacity to laugh at life’s hardships.
So what are you waiting for? If you’re a foreigner looking for a truly fantastic place to celebrate a holiday or a local wanting to discover more of the country, Philippines will not disappoint you. Explore and be awed.
Christmas in the Philippines
Christmas is a big holiday in the Philippines. It’s so huge almost every Filipino really go out of their way and take time to prepare for this annual occasion. Though Christmas in the Philippines may have been influenced by European traditions in the latter part of its history, its own traditions have surpassed the changing times. This has made Christmas in the Philippines quite unique.
During the cold nights, people would crave for bibingka and puto bumbong. These are delicacies specially prepared during the Christmas season. They would often be served on banana leaves topped with butter or margarine and grated coconut meat.
It wouldn’t be uncommon to find the local folks bringing out their Christmas decorations. The star of the season in the Philippines isn’t the Christmas tree but the Christmas star locally known as the Parol. You will find Parols hanging just about anywhere from malls, to offices, and even in the modest Filipino homes.
Some places even host a Parol-making contest where people create many wonderfully spectacular light displays using Parols. These are sights to see and you can even buy the ingenious light display after the contest.
Starting on December 16, a large portion of the population would flock to attend Mass at their local Catholic congregation. This part of the Philippine Catholic tradition is called Misa de Gallo or locally known as Simbang Gabi in the native vernacular. It translates to Masses at Cock’s Crow, which is usually held either very early in the morning (sometimes at the early hour of 3 a.m., others at dusk). This is a religious Christmas tradition that has been passed on through centuries.
Caroling would also be heard during the Christmas season in the Philippines. You’ll get to see a gang of little kids walking from house to house (even car to car in some cities, but that is actually outlawed for security reasons) singing the old time favorite Filipino Christmas carols. Even the older generation may go about caroling as well.
Employees in the Philippines would usually be treated to a long five-day vacation during the Christmas week since some employers would want their employees to spend time with their families (though there are industries that would also require people to work during the holidays).
Christmas Eve is often celebrated by families at home enjoying a Christmas dinner at midnight. This tradition is called Noche Buena. It is a time for thanksgiving and a time for families to be together. Friends may also be invited to the Noche Buena and this is often a great honor. Gifts would usually be given during the Noche Buena or Christmas morning.
Christmas in the Philippines is a time for families. It is a time of gift giving and a time for warm friendships during the Christmas season.
Philippine Party Mania
Party mania
As with all other peoples, Filipinos cherish their freedom so much that almost all historical events especially battles are commemorated. There’s the Battle of Bessang Pass in Ilocos Norte on June 14 which led to the surrender of General Yamashita and the end of the Japanese Occupation. Re-enactments abound too like the Homonhon Landing of Fernando Magallanes on March 16 and the Balangiga Victory of the Filipinos over the American troops in Samar on September 28.
Historical celebrations like these need the direct involvement of local government units as much as religious events need the guidance of the parishes. This influence of the LGUs is especially seen in festivals celebrating the founding of the various towns, cities, provinces or regions. In Butuan at Agusan del Norte, people celebrate the establishment of the city charter on the Adlaw Hong Butuan while the entire province of Sorsogon become one big party venue during the Kasanggayahan Festival from October 10 to 17.
By now, you may have realized the inexhaustible talent of the Filipino for celebrating every imaginable event from the gargantuan to the minute. And size or importance doesn’t matter, every celebration is grand be it the usual or the strange. Take for example the surrealistic Tawo-Tawo Festival in Negros wherein gigantic scarecrows are paraded as people dance along, the playful Obando Fertility Rites in Bulacan where childless couple go to or the ghoulish Taong Putik of Nueva Ecija where devotees of St. John the Baptist cover their bodies with mud and dried leaves.
Beauty in variety
While the Filipino passion for festivities doesn’t seem to know any boundaries, not all celebrations cater to the worldly desire for fun. Communities all throughout the country also come up with programs or events aimed at raising the civic consciousness of its populace like cleanliness and beautification drives, and environmental protection campaigns like tree planting. What is truly fun though on these events are the side highlights like small skits presented by young people.
And as a country of multi-cultural ethnicity, an entire year of celebrations wouldn’t be complete if there weren’t festivities identified with other cultures. There’s the Chinese Lunar Year celebration, an event which many Filipinos have come to embrace for its spectacular fireworks, lively Dragon dances and the sumptuous Chinese cuisine. Don’t forget the Eid Al`fitr and Eid Mubarak of the Muslim Filipinos down south, which are celebrations marking the ending of the Ramadan and the Hajj season, respectively.
Bacolod Festivals and Events
Bacolod City is the city of smiles. This fact is evident as one encounters a person from Bacolod City who is generally mild-mannered and soft-spoken. It is no wonder that festivals and events from this city are gaily and festive.
Masskara Festival is held every October. This is the most popular event in Bacolod. The highlight of this festival is a street parade of people wearing colorful masks and costumes dancing to the rhythmic beat of drums. This festival commemorates the foundation day of the city. Masskara Festival was originated when the sugar industry (Bacolod’s chief industry) was not doing very well. The festival has become an event that celebrates the determination and resiliency of the Filipino spirit. Good or bad times it may be, they face it with a smile.
Every April Bacolod and the whole province of Negros celebrate Panaad Sa Negros. This festival highlights the festive nature evident of all Negrenses. Every town and city of the Negros province parade banners and floats along the streets. The delicious dishes that the province is famous for are also showcases in this event. Fireworks at night add color and pageantry to this celebration.
Mainly occurring in Sagay City, Sinigayan Festival is also celebrated in Bacolod and other nearby towns. This feast is a thanksgiving to Saint Joseph. Skills, craft and dances are highlighted in this event.
Kali-Kalihan Festival, held every November, is celebrated in Don Salvador Benedicto. This is a very exotic and unique event as the ancient of beliefs of local tribes about spirits, fighting and self-defense are showcased in this festival. One feature of this fiesta is a live coal walking.
In La Corta, a town near Bacolod, residents celebrate the Pasasalamat Festival. Held in May, this is a thanksgiving festival where a colorful and festive parade is one of the highlights of this town.
The Pinta Flores Festival showcases the tradition that began during Spanish times of welcoming visitors by dancing in the streets. Every November, street dancers clad in flowers parade through the thoroughfares of the city.
Cooperation is the theme of Ugnoyan or Snake Festival. The highlights of this event are folk dances performed on the streets, sports contests and a parade of colorful floats.
Bago City, a city near Bacolod, celebrates the Babaylan Festival. This is held every February 19. The life and times of the tribes that used to live in the area are commemorated in this event. Local mythical legends, tribal music, handicrafts and ancient religious beliefs of the tribes are showcased.