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 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.
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.
Fiestas are eagerly awaited events in the Philippines. The festivals celebrate the happy nature of the Filipinos. Whether it be for honoring the patron saint, or a harvest rite or commemorating a historical event, Filipinos celebrate every event.
Some of these Philippine Festivals even attract local and foreign tourist. Street dances, fluvial processions, floral parades, reenactments are some of the attractions of Fiestas. Below are some of the Festivals that are celebrated in the Philippines.
Every Ninth of January, Filipinos from all walks of life congregate in Manila’s Quiapo Church to honor and give thanks to the Black Nazarene. Many Filipinos claim that the church’s Black Nazarene statue is miraculous. Devotees claim that the Black Nazarene has answered their prayers.
The religious devotion of the Filipinos is showcased in this day. The statue of the Black Nazarene is place on a carriage and pulled by thousands of male devotees along the streets near Quiapo Church.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is celebrated every third week of January in Kalibo, Aklan. This Philippine Festival is a combination of historical commemoration and religious homage. It commemorates how Bornean chieftains and the local Ati King Marikudo reached a deal to settle the land during the thirteenth century. Locals also give thanks to its patron saint Sto. Niño during this celebration. The main feature of this Philippine Festival is the street dance where soot-blacked people dressed in Ati-Atihan costume dance in the street along the accompaniment of drums.
Every last week of February, residents of Baguio take to the streets and celebrate Panagbenga. A parade of floats decorated with locally grown flowers is the highlight of this Philippine festival. Another attraction of this festival, is the street dance. Local schools compete in a street dance competition. Students of each school are dressed as Baguio flowers and perform in a choreographed dance. Thousands residents and tourist line up the sidewalks to watch the schoolchildren dance in the streets.
In Lucban, Laguna, residents give thanks to its patron saint San Isidro every 15th of May. Houses are colorfully decorated with fruits, vegetables and kiping (leaves colored with dyed ground rice) as materials.
Lechon or Roasted Pigs has made Balayan, Batangas famous. This locally delicacy is in demand around the Philippines. To showcase this famed Balayan product, residents dress-up their roasted pigs as politicians, celebrities, even saints. These dressed-up lechons are paraded around town. On-lookers can partake of the lechon as they are paraded around town.
Celebrated every September 16 in Naga City in the Bicol Region. This Fiesta honors its Patron the Virgin Mother Mary. The highlight of this event is the fluvial parade.
Very last week of November, residents of Angono, Rizal honor their patron saint San Clemente by paraded giant paper mache puppets. Another feature of this festival is that residents are dowsed with water as the procession marches on.
San Fernando, Pampanga is famous for its beautifully made Christmas lanterns. To showchase this artistry, the Giant Lantern Festival is held every December. Enormous Christmas lanterns with intricate designs and elaborate twinkling light bulbs compete with each other for the festival’s top prize.
The island of Palawan is not just home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, it is also a place where celebration happens pretty much all year round. Palawan Festivals and Events are among the factors that draw in tourists to this island and these showcase the warmth and hospitality of the inhabitants. Palawan Festivals and Events also give us a chance to learn more about the history, culture and values of the inhabitants of this island.
The first event up on the calendar when it comes to Palawan Festivals and Events is the Tarek Festival. The Tarek Festival is held in the municipality of Aborlan, some 75 kilometers away from Puerto Princesa City. The Tarek Festival is a ritual performed every year by two indigenous groups, the Batak and the Tagbanuas. This is held every 3rd weekend of January and among the highlights are traditional dances performed by the tribes complete with their colorful costumes. This is also a time when we can see the importance of the local priests in the lives of the indigenous community and the Tarek Festival is an opportunity for them to establish contact with local deities.
The next on our list of Palawan Festivals and Events that occurs after the Tarek Festival is the Puerto Princesa Foundation Day. As can be concluded from the name of the event, this is held in the capital city of Palawan and it commemorates the day that Puerto Princesa by virtue of a Presidential Proclamation was declared a highly urbanized city. Puerto Princesa Foundation Day is on the first week of March and here Palawan’s strengths are on display such as their agricultural powers, their skill in dancing and sports and there is much merry making that happens on this day. Puerto Princesa Foundation Day is an event that hasn’t been celebrated for over a decade since the declaration of Puerto Princesa as a highly urbanized city happened less than 5 years ago.
Of all the Palawan Festivals and Events, they say that the most unique is the Cuyo Festival. Similar to the Puerto Princesa Foundation Day, a lot of merry making happens at this event and it involves painting one’s entire body in soot. The highlight of the Cuyo Festival is the street dancing to the beat of drums as compared to choreographed dancing during Puerto Princesa Foundation Day.
Many of us know Boracay and fondly call it “Bora” because we have at least heard of it or been there once and admired its beautiful beaches. However, it is not accurate to think Boracay is just about pristine white sand and perfectly calm waters, it’s also an island that holds several festivities throughout the year. If one chances upon a Boracay festival, one will be in complete awe of how well planned these events are and how much fun it is to be able to witness and even participate in one.
One might say that every part of the country celebrates the Ati Atihan Festival and although the island of Boracay is not an exception, its version is very fascinating. This Boracay festival is held the day after New Year’s Day and there’s no missing out on the hypnotizing sound of drums that signal the start of the event. The theme of the Ati Atihan Festival is the different religious beliefs held by Filipino ancestors and it also includes a tribute to Christianity, a religion introduced by the Spaniards. The participants of the Ati Atihan Festival paint themselves to look exactly like our ancestors from centuries back. What makes this Boracay festival such a colorful event is the fact that all these dancing in colorful costumes and body paint is done on shore with the beautiful beach of Boracay in the background. What can be said to be the trademark of this Boracay festival are the dancers that have painted their bodies in black with streaks of bright colors on their faces. During the Ati Atihan Festival a contest is held to determine which is the “best tribe” in terms of costume, body art and dances. The Ati Atihan Festival is very much like the Mardi Gras only with a touch of something very Filipino.
To those who have been to the Philippines before and are familiar with the customs and culture of the Filipinos, then one is bound to notice that the Filipinos love to eat. It is only in the Philippines that people eat “merienda” which is an afternoon snack before dinner. It should therefore come as no surprise that the Boracay Food Festival is a highly anticipated event. This Boracay festival exhibits the best Filipino dishes including delicacies unique to this country. The Boracay Food Festival is also known for its sumptuous array of desserts and since this Boracay festival is held right on the beach, one can say this is the perfect combination.
One of the favorite things that tourists and local visitors do when in Dumaguete is participate in Dumaguete festivals. Dumaguete festivals are among the most unique and colorful in the entire country and because these events are lively and enjoyable, many people flock to Dumaguete particularly on these occasions.
One of the most highly anticipated Dumaguete festivals is the Sandurot Festival held every November for 5 days, starting from November 21. For those who particularly want to learn about the rich history of Dumaguete, should make it a point to attend the Sandurot Festival since this is a depiction of the lives of the early inhabitants. The history of Dumaguete from the time that the foreigners entered the city from the Dumaguete seas is depicted at the Sandurot Festival through dances, parades and plays. This Dumaguete festival traces history from before to now so all those who are watching begin to understand the journey that this city has made. The Sandurot Festival is organized by the local government and the organizers make it a point to represent all the foreign cultures that have had an influence on Dumaguete such as the Spanish, Americans, Japanese and Chinese. Of course, no Dumaguete festival is complete without the rhythmic street dancing and this is definitely part of the Sandurot Festival.
The Buglasan Festival is held for 10 days every October and this event kicks off with dance competitions. All the inhabitants of Negros Oriental culminate at Dumaguete City for this much awaited Dumaguete festival. During the 10 days that the Buglasan Festival is celebrated, there are even singing competitions for all age groups. One of the good things that happen during this Dumaguete festival is the cultural shows that exhibit the talent of the inhabitants. The Buglasan Festival also has booths with local handicrafts for sale. There are also other competitions during the Buglasan Festival such as chess, cheer dance, folk dance, and pyrotechnics. In this Dumaguete festival, there is something for everybody whether it be a cultural show display, shopping or just a day of dancing.
This Dumaguete festival is somewhat similar to Buglasan Festival. The Santa Cruzan Fiesta is held every May and it is where the prettiest girls and some showbiz icons walk the streets adorned in beautiful dresses. The Santa Cruzan Fiesta is a religious event celebrated as far back as the time of the Spaniards so this Dumaguete festival will give one an opportunity to appreciate the history of this city.
One of the provinces in the Eastern Visayas region that the Philippines boasts of is Leyte. Various festivals and events are held in Leyte which makes this province one of the most-visited places in the country. Let’s take a look at some of the Leyte festivals and events conducted every year.
This festival is held in Calubian, a municipality in Leyte, every August 15. Both locals and tourists look forward to this event because its cultural presentations provide enjoyment and entertainment. The main highlight of this festival is the dance presentations prepared by the locals wherein they emphasize how and why coconut trees are very much valued by the people of Calubian.
The Sanggutan Festival is one of the famous Leyte festivals and events that both tourists and locals also love. It is held in Barugo, a municipality of Leyte, and is celebrated every May 18. While the Lubi Lubi Festival gives importance to coconut trees, the Sanggutan Festival gives importance on the old coconut wine processing that was used in Barugo. Commemoration is shown by the locals through interpretative dances.
Just like the Lubi Lubi Festival, the Pasaka Festival is also celebrated in August. This festival is a major event in the municipality of Tanauan, that’s why locals really look forward to this event. What the locals celebrate during the Pasaka Festival is the richness and prosperity of their lives. Various activities are done during this festival but the main highlight is a dance-drama number.
The Alikaraw Festival is also one of the Leyte festivals and events that local residents look forward to. The people of Hilongos are the ones who organize this event as they really exert effort to entertain people and inform people of their ancient rituals. Tourists are always left in awe every time they witness this festival because of the colorful presentations such as song and dance numbers.
The Sangyaw Festival is held in the capital of Leyte, Tacloban City, in June. What makes this festival different from the other Leyte festivals and events is the effort exerted by Tacloban locals to wear make-ups that are artistically done to look somewhat similar to the appearances of various flowers.
Other Leyte festivals and events include the Buyogan Festival and the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival. These are all very entertaining events that regular tourists look forward to every year. Those who have not visited Leyte are encouraged to visit this province.
Sorsogon, like most provinces in the Philippines, have its own customs and traditions that are influenced by the nearby provinces. Many of the Sorsogon festivals and events are offshoots of Christian religious traditions and are given a local distinct variation.
The Kasanggayahan Festival, perhaps, is the largest celebration for the whole province of Sorsogon. Celebrated during the month of October every year, this festival is the commemoration of the declaration of Sorsogon as a province. Before Sorsogon became a province in the Bicol region, it used to be part of Albay, which is another province in the region.
This festival is included in the Department of Tourism’s list of festivals and celebrations in the Philippines. With the term “kasanggayahan” meaning prosperity, the festival showcases the local products including products from the pili tree and other agricultural products.
The Pantomina sa Tinampo is one of the features of the Kasanggayahan Festival that makes it different from the other thanksgiving festivals in the country. Pantomina sa Tinampo is a native regional dance, which is the dance of the doves. This pantomime (pantomina) dance of love and courtship is done on the streets (tinampo), because of which it was termed “Pantomina sa Tinampo.”
Because pili products are bountiful in Sorsogon and in the rest of the Bicol region, it is easy to understand that the people of Sorsogon have devoted a festival that features this valuable nut. The Pili Festival is held every June 28-29, which are also the feast days of their patrons St. Peter and St. Paul.
Different dance groups composed of young men and women follows the beats of the percussion instruments as they show the different products that are made from the pili tree. These groups certainly prepares for this celebration as they have appropriate costumes and props to make their presentation more appealing, relevant and lively.
The most well known pili product is its nut, which is known to compete with macadamia nuts and almonds in terms of quality and distinct taste.
In addition to Christmas and the New Year, the commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ is also one of the most anticipated celebrations in the country. Although Christianity was brought to the Philippines by the Spanish colonizers, the Filipinos were able to make the Holy Week Celebration a local tradition through the incorporation of native practices and materials.
In Sorsogon, the locals come to the Cathedral of St. Peter and Saint Paul from which they start a barefoot procession as they take the statue of Jesus to the crucifixion.
Apart from these festivals, each municipality and town in Sorsogon celebrates their fiestas depending on the feast days of their patron saints. This is another way to showcase the culture and the products of the place and to thank God for their blessings.
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.
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.
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.
Manila has several festivals and events calendared year-round. As a capital of the Philippines, it has a lot of different influences from all walks of life. These festivals border on religious, historical and Mardi Gras-like parties.
In early January, residents, devotees and tourist alike flock to the Quiapo Church in the district of Quiapo to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene. The Black Nazarene is the patron saint of the district. It is believed that the wooden statue of the Black Nazarene is miraculous. Many devotees will attest to the fact that their lives have been turned to the better by their devotion to the image.
During the feast, the statue is paraded around the streets of Quiapo District on top of a carriage being pulled on ropes by thousands of male devotees. These activity borders on pandemonium as each male devotee try to jostle each other for a chance to get to the rope and pull the carriage. Many people believe that their petitions and wishes will be granted by the Black Nazarene if they get the chance to pull the statue.
While this is going on, white towels are thrown through and fro to marshals atop the carriage. Marshals will then wipe the statue with these towels. These towels are then believed to heal or bring luck to the owner.
The districts of Pandacan and Tondo celebrate this feast. Different images of the Santo Nino or the child Jesus is paraded around the streets of the district. Each statue is as different from the next one. Aside from the traditional garb of the Santo Nino, one can see a Santo Nino image dressed in a basketball uniform or a television fictional character.
Along the streets where the images are paraded, people add a cheerful touch to the celebration by dancing. Again, the religious devotion of the people of Manila is evident in the Feast Of The Santo Nino.
During September, it is the turn of the people of the Instramuros district of Manila to celebrate. Various images of the Virgin Mary are paraded atop beautifully decorated floats in the streets of Instramuros. Manila Cathedral is the starting point and end point of the procession.
Every 24th of June, residents of the city celebrate the founding of the city. Every year, the city government declares this day a non-working holiday so that residents and visitors alike get the chance to participate in the celebration. Ceremonies and programs in Manila City Hall and Rizal Park are held.
Binondo, where Chinatown of Manila is located, celebrates this event every Chinese New Year. Visitors and local residents get the chance to see the Chinese influence in the district. Street parties, dragon dances, lion dances and fireworks litter the streets in jubilant celebration.
Makati City is known as the most progressive city in the Philippines. Towering skyscrapers and the most successful businesses have their office in Makati but this is not to say that the city has forgotten its residents and the spirit of being a community. The community celebrates festivals annually and among those are Bailes Delos Arcos and the Xong Di Festival.
Bailes Delos Arcos has been dubbed as one the most exciting festivals that the city celebrates every 29th of June. Its literal translation is “Dancers of the Arch” and this festival both the older and the younger generations participate. Bailes Delos Arcos is no small time festival since the dancers that perform have to practice for a whole year for this one day event. Being a devout Christian country and in honor of Makati’s patron saints Virgen Dela Rosa, St. Peter and St. Paul, the female dances put on a spectacular performance dedicated to them. Only certain families in Makati perform this and the tradition as well as the method of dancing Bailes Delos Arcos have been passed on from generation to generation. Bailes Delos Arcos is performed annually in Barangay Poblacion.
Xong Di Festival on the other hand is considered the most educational of all the festivals celebrated by this high class city. Xong Di Festival, is highlighted by colorful costumes and accessories similar to those worn by the ethnic tribes in China. This festival is more for the Chinese community and its aim is to show that there is so much similarity between the Filipinos and the Chinese. Xong Di Festival, shows the brotherhood between the Chinese and Filipinos and how the two Asian cultures have embraced each other through the centuries and continue to do so today. A street parade is held during the Xong Di Festival, and this is celebrated right after the Chinese New Year so there is no ficed date for this.
If the Xong Di Festival is festival that celebrates the brotherhood between the Chinese and Filipino communities and the Bailes Delos Arcos commemorates the patron saints, Ganito Kami Noon is a tribute to the past. Ganito Kami Noon is held every June 1 at the city hall and all participants can wear either native clothing or what they used to wear and what was considered stylish during their time. Ganito Kami Noon is a festival celebrated only by Makati and its purpose is to make sure that no one particularly the youth forget about the past, the Filipino culture and the lessons that can be derived from years back. Ganito Kami Noon is a ball open to all residents of Makati at the end of which, the Mayor gives out awards to outstanding government officials. Ganito Kami Noon closes with a spectacular fireworks display.