Philippines Guide
For Travelers, Expats and Pinoys
The Masskara Festival: A Tribute to Happiness
What is the Masskara Festival?
Ever heard of a weeklong festivity that gives local and foreign visitors the chance of a lifetime to drink and be merry for twenty days? Nothing beats the Masskara Festival of Bacolod City. Call it a combination of the Mardi Gras and the Oktoberfest where you will find a huge parade and a lot of drinking. The Masskara Festival is a hip escape from the insanity of the world into colorful days of outrageous partying.
Bacolod City is well known all for its Masskara Festival during the month of October. The Masskara Festival is hosted by Bacolod City during the first two weeks of October. A horde of visitors, both local and foreign, enjoys twenty days of beer drinking, dining, and street dancing at the Masskara Festival. Talk about serious Filipino partying.
The Masskara Festival was originally instituted to commemorate the hardships of the people of Negros Province. The original idea behind the Masskara Festival was to promote a time of happiness to a down trodden people.
Masskara Festival has gone a long way since its humble beginnings and is now able to generate revenues for big businesses due to tourism. It has taken its festive spirit through a path that leads to progress for the locals of Bacolod City.
The term Masskara is coined from two words — mass, meaning a crowd and the Spanish cara, the word for face. Masskara has a double meaning, first is “mask” and the second one is “many faces”. Cultural artist, painter, and cartoonist Ely Santiago coined the term in 1980.
The symbol of the Masskara Festival is a smiling mask, which was envisioned to show that the people Negros Province manifests a happy spirit in spite of all the crisis they have gone through.
Throughout the two weeks of the Masskara Festival, the people from other neighboring provinces flock to Bacolod City for the celebrations. Everyone joins in on the round the clock feasts. Colorful and lively parades abound in people wearing masks and costumes representing various organizations from the government and private groups.
If you’re not the into the hype of street dancing why not try the pig catching event which is a sure hit among the locals during the Masskara Festival. A host of other competitions are also held which includes a mask making contest and a disco king and queen competition.
Throughout the two weeks of the Masskara Festival, people strut around in brightly colored costumes vying for the prize to be awarded to the one who makes the best mask outfit. The Masskara Festival boosts Bacolod City’s tourism not only because of the huge flock of visitors it attracts but also for the orchids and handicrafts that are sold on sale during festivities.
The Masskara Festival is a symbol of the Filipino spirit that remembers to be happy in spite of tough times. No wonder Filipinos are called the people of happy smiling faces.
[Tags]Masskara, Bacolod, Negros, Philippines, Masskara Festival, Fiesta[/Tags]
Texas Hold’Em Now Popular in the Philippines
Poker is believed to have been introduced to the Philippines during World War I by American soldiers who brought in the Bicycle brand playing cards. All playing cards in the country in the 1950s were imported and many were sold behind the counter or secretly sold by Maranao sidewalk vendors.
For many many years people have been playing a local version of the game of Poker with the use of 52 cards where 13 cards are distributed all face down to four players one at a time.
It is known in the Visayas and Mindanao as piat-piat or pusoy in Luzon. Most, however, call it Chinese Poker. The pot usually runs up to hundreds if not thousands of pesos, particularly those games participated by weekend professional gamblers, including government officials.
This game became so popular that those that could not afford cards themselves created their own deck of cards with some cardboard and pens so that they could play this ever growing popular card game.
Chinese Poker is played just like the 5-card stud poker with a twist. The last five cards should be arranged that it would be the best. The second group of five cards should be better than and that of the third group–the three cards.
For example, if the last three cards form a trio, the middle group should form a straight but not two pairs since the trio is higher.
The Chinese term for this is totyu or inverted or disarranged. With this you become outright the loser for the round.
The 13 cards grouped in 5-5-3 should then be arranged that the last five would be the best, the middle group better and the three cards as good or whatever.
With the popularity of Chinese Poker or Pusoy Filipinos easily found favor with the new game on the block and play the now popular Texas Hold ‘Em High Poker, which is played in casinos in Paranaque, Pasig City in clubhouses; Manila, Tagaytay and other cities in the country legally.
Entry fees are reasonably low at PhP1,000 or so but with the total tournament top prizes of PhP1 million or $20,000, many join the regular tournament sponsored by a club formed by a journalist.
Others are now into the bandwagon sponsoring Texas Hold ‘Em High tournaments with the same format of putting in $200 as entry fee for the elimination round. If you want to immediately join the championship game you have to buy in with P20,000 or $2,000.
Since Texas Hold ‘Em is simple many have been playing the game even clandestinely.
With the Filipinos’ propensity to gamble putting casinos in the country with Poker as the main attraction could be a profitable business. The government casino operator is eyeing an Entertainment City in the heart of Metro Manila– at the reclaimed land near the popular SM Mall of Asia, one of the biggest malls in Southeast Asia.
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.
Bohol Festivals and Events
Overview
Bohol festivals are not just colorful events but are also very lively and the best part of the celebration is always the delicious array of food served during the event. In fact, it’s not only the panoramic sites that Bohol brags about, Bohol festivals also draw thousands of this tourists every year to this province.
Sandugo Festival
Bohol has a rich history and the Sandugo Festival is an annual celebration that clearly depicts this. Every March, the Sandugo Festival draws tourist to Bohol since this colorful event is an opportunity to relive a very significant event in Philippine history. This Bohol festival remembers the pact of friendship between the Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legazpi who conquered the Philippines and the Filipino leader Datu Sikatuna. The Sandugo Festival made a very big impact on the lives of our Filipinos ancestors because this was the starting point for embracing the culture and religion introduced by the Spaniards. Up until this very day, the Spanish influence is still very much alive with every single Filipino. The reenactment of the blood compact is done during the Sandugo Festival and the other activities done on this day are church ceremonies, parades on the streets and various contests are held. There are cooking contests during the Sandugo Festival as well as a beauty pageant.
Bolibong Kingking Festival
The name of this Bohol festival sounds very interesting and so is the event itself. If one thinks hard enough and keep pronouncing Bolibong Kingking Festival, one will realize that it sounds like empty barrels being used as drums by either a spoon or a fork and that’s exactly what happens on this day. The Bolibong Kingking Festival is a Bohol festival that is a religious event where drums and gongs are played all day and the sounds have several purposes. The beating of the drums is supposed to attract visitors and at the same time remind the residents that the Bolibong Kingking Festival is a chance to relive Bohol’s rich history and well entrenched traditions. This Bohol festival is held every May and it is in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Bohol. The Bolibong Kingking Festival is held in Loboc which is a place that is not only rich in flora and fauna but also has several interesting places to visit. In fact if one is going to Bohol to see the Bolibong Kingking Festival, it’s a good idea to dine at one of their restaurants on stilts or take a boat ride in the beautiful Loboc River.
Tagbilaran Festivals and Events
Overview
There are many Tagbilaran festivals that are celebrated only here and no other region or province in the Philippines. These Tagbilaran festivals are unique to the locality because of its historical significance.
Ubi Festival
The Ubi Festival is held for five days during January and this event somewhat extends the festivities of the Christmas season. This Tagbilaran festival is celebrated mid January from the 15th to 19th and this is a farmer’s feast where they showcase their primarily grown product ubi or purple yam. During the Ubi Festival, the by products of the purple yam are showcased from wonderful desserts such as cakes, pastillas and pies to dishes where the purple yam is used. This Tagbilaran festival though is more than just about showcasing a homegrown product. The purple yam is considered as a holy crop because of how resilient it is to many natural disasters and farm pests. During the Ubi Festival, the children of farmers are taught that this God given crop is something that should be appreciated and they are even taught to kiss this if it falls to the ground. The Ubi Festival showcases the many products that can be produced out of this crop and the ingenious ways of doing it. Many visitors flock to the province to see this Tagbilaran festival because this is also an opportunity to purchase purple yam and its by products at an incredibly low price. The Ubi Festival is indeed unlike any other Tagbilaran festival.
The Sandugo Festival
Another really popular Tagbilaran festival is the Sandugo Festival and it has its roots deeply embedded in the history of this region. Translated in English, the Sandugo Festival means the Blood Compact Commemoration and this is a landmark event that symbolizes friendship between Datu Sikatuna and the Spaniard Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. This Tagbilaran festival used to just be celebrated for a whole month in July but over the past 2 or 3 years, the celebration has been extended well into August. There are many events and competitions that are held during the Sandugo Festival and it includes cock fighting, sports competitions as well as street parades. During the parades at the Sandugo Festival locals dressed in colorful costumes represent both the Spaniards and the tribe of Datu Sikatuna and there is re-enactment of the blood compact. Every night visitors and locals dance to Filipino bands performing and there are always firework displays at the Sandugo Festival.
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.
Puerto Galera Festivals and Events
Overview
Puerto Galera’s fine white sand and light blue sea is an instant attraction to locals and foreigners alike. For those who want to bask in the sun or engage in a couple of water sports without spending a hefty amount, Puerto Galera tops the list as a holiday getaway. There are many other good things about Puerto Galera that are often overlooked. Take for instance the colorful Puerto Galera festivals celebrated annually which are very different from other celebrations in the country.
Banana Festival
Puerto Galera is just about the only place that has a Banana Festival. Celebrated for a full 2 days in the month of March, this Puerto Galera festival is all about bananas which grow in abundance here. During the Banana Festival there are several competitions held including a banana cook fest where the participant who can come up with the best tasting dish with this fruit as the primary ingredient wins. The focus of this Puerto Galera festival is a particular type of banana called “saba” which is usually cooked prior to being served. The Banana Festival coincides with another local celebration in honor of Puerto Galera’s patron saint, St. Joseph so one can expect double the fun during this event. The Banana Festival is also highlighted by street dancing which the inhabitants prepare for a couple months before the actual celebration. The choreographed dances are performed by the residents adorned in colorful costumes and during the Banana Festival anyone is welcome to join the street party.
Reggae Festival
Another popular Puerto Galera festival that is highly anticipated is the Reggae Festival which is fairly new. Less than a decade old, the Reggae Festival was first celebrated four years ago in Puerto Galera with several bands participating and sound systems sponsored by big companies installed all over Puerto Galera. The Reggae Festival shows how much the Filipinos love music and that this particular genre has sub-genres that create a wonderful mixture of the traditional reggae with a taste of Filipino. This Puerto Galera festival is enjoyed by tourists and residents regardless of age because this is a chance to mingle under the common language of music. A couple of good bands are discovered during the Reggae Festival and the main attraction of the event is the massive party that goes on throughout the day and gets livelier at night. Resorts in Puerto Galera sponsor the Reggae Festival by providing beach side buffets at affordable prices during this Puerto Galera festival.
Puerto Princesa Festivals and Events
Overview
The picture we have in our minds of Puerto Princesa is that of a tropical paradise and while this is true, we should include Puerto Princesa festivals in our vision of this tourist spot since these events say so much about the history and culture of the island. Puerto Princesa festivals are events that visitors look forward to seeing because of the fun activities that await and the liveliness of the celebrations.
Pangalipay sa Baybay
Pangalipay sa Baybay is a Puerto Princesa festival that is celebrated at the beginning of the second quarter of the year. Because this Puerto Princesa festival happens right at the peak of the summer season where the number of tourists in Palawan are at an all time high, many visitors get to enjoy the Pangalipay sa Baybay. The place where the Pangalipay sa Baybay is celebrated is the bay walk of Puerto Princesa, right on the beautiful beaches of the capital and it starts off with live bands performing.
A parade then follows where locals dressed in colorful costumes and even the indigenous groups participate. The Pangalipay sa Baybay is a chance to learn about the many indigenous groups that inhabit the island of Palawan and interact with them. There are also cheering competitions and dance contests that participants prepare for well ahead of time. The dance contest at this Puerto Princesa festival is called the Summer Danzslam and modern dances are the main theme. The Filipinos love to sing and rest assured during the Pangalipay sa Baybay, there are singing competitions that showcase local talent and because it is happening right on the beach, there is also a swim wear competition for men and women.
Seafood Festival
Puerto Princesa is known for having among the best and freshest seafood in the entire country and what better way to showcase this than to have a Seafood Festival. The third week of April is when the Seafood Festival is held and the best part of this Puerto Princesa festival is that everyone is welcome to try the amazingly delicious seafood dishes that are prepared for this occasion. Restaurants use the Seafood Festival as an opportunity to show visitors and locals how competitive they are when it comes to food preparation and their dishes range from local favorites to International ones. The biggest lobsters can be enjoyed here and because everything is fresh out of the sea, one can be sure that all the dishes served during the Seafood Festival taste heavenly. There are taste tests during the Seafood Festival but of course one is free to sit down and order a bigger plate of seafood if one enjoyed the sample.
The Obando Fertility Dance: A Prayer and Festival
The Obando Fertility Dance is a festival where couples who hope to be blessed by children perform street dances in a long procession. The Fertility Dance of Obando is both a festival and a prayerful appeal for devotees.
Obando has hosted this festival since pre-Spanish times. The festival is also mentioned by the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, in one of his epic novels Noli Me Tangere. Obando, a small town in Bulacan, has held to this age-old tradition of Fertility Dances to the present day and has attracted a lot of tourists the world round.
The Fertility Dance of Obando has been part of tradition even before the Spanish conquest of the Philippines. The month of May has always been the season for the Fertility Dance. Initially, the native childless couples dance in front of idols to request that they would soon have children.
When the Spanish took over, they convinced the natives that they can keep the Fertility Dance but would instead dance in front of images of saints instead of idols.
Nowadays, the Fertility Dance is celebrated in Obando in honor of Santa Clara, San Pascual de Baylon, and Nuestra Señora de Salambao. The prayers are offered to these three saints for the childless, for religious virtue, and a bountiful catch since fishing is the main industry of Obando, Bulacan.
The Fertility Dance most of the time is offered for Santa Clara, patron saint of the childless. Others dance to the saint in hope to find a mate. Single men and single women often pariticipate in the Fertility Dance festival on separate dates since the festivities usually last three days long.
Parents who take part in the Fertility Dance do it to give thanks to their patron saint to give thanks. The fishermen and farmers of the locality of Obando participate in the Fertility Dance to pray for a good catch and a good harvest. Most of the townsfolk participate in the street dancing and merry making during the three-day long Fertility Dance.
Veterans and so-called experts of the Fertility Dance insist that the dance be performed with gyrating hips in time with the music and must be done with the belief of prayers being answered. You’ll be amazed at the huge number of childless couples, thankful parents, and grateful fishermen clad in colorful costumes. One proof the locals would claim would be the population growth as evidence of the efficacy of the said Fertility Dance.
Whether it works or not, the Fertility Dance is a timeless tradition that bids a prayer of request or thanks and draws in a lot of curious visitors from all over the country. Whether you believe it or not, take part of the festivity and enjoy both a solemn and a joyful celebration of life.
Holy Week in the Philippines
In some parts of the Philippines, Holy Week has become a sort of street opera for tourists – with multiple crucifixions, marathon chants and a myriad of flagellants. This week-long spectacle draws thousands of participants, as well as interested spectators.
At the beginning of the week, people engage in marathon chanting of the Christ’s Passion in their little makeshift chapels. The devout singers are mostly comprised of old ladies who take their turns in singing hymns from the pages of the bible. This is a twenty four hour commitment which continues up to Black Saturday, as the religious await the Lord’s resurrection.
Be warned that many of these street tents are located near hotels and Inns and they broadcast their chants over loud speakers so you may want to re-think where you find lodging. During the day is one thing, but being kept up all night might ruin your daytime activities.
Meanwhile, other people are kept busy preparing their religious floats for the Holy Week processions. These are owned by the more affluent residents of the town and are mostly handed down from generation to generation and kept in impeccable condition due to their belief that the figures on their carriage guide them to a bountiful and comfortable life. Each carriage is decorated with gold and bronze plated frames and adorned with cloying flowers and set in blown glass and candlelight.
By three o’clock on Good Friday, the whole town is imbibed in a seemingly sullen mood. The pious kneel before household altars to recite various litanies. Some religious fanatics flog themselves to fulfill vows of penitence. Still others, test amulets, which they vow are authentic and would protect them from any harm, physical or otherwise. At Mount Banahaw, a supposedly sacred mountain in the province of Quezon, pilgrims from various religious sects and cults worship their deity at caves, rivers, rocks, waterfalls, streams, pools and springs until the dawn of Black Saturday.
Easter Sunday is the culmination of the whole commemoration of Holy Week. Unlike the previous days, this is a time for joy and merriment. The mood is festive and the people are busy preparing an Easter feast. A theatrical play takes place at dawn, the risen Christ meeting his sorrowful Mother. The two images come from different sides of the street and meet at the town church’s facade. The people clap and cheer and once again, sing praises of hymn.
It is truly a unique experience for a tourist to witness the Filipino’s celebration of Holy Week. For the locals, this is where religious fervor, theatrics and camaraderie blissfully collide.
[Tags]Holy week, Philippines, Events, Holidays, Holy Week Celebrations, Philippine Holy Week, Filipino, Good Friday[/Tags]
