Philippine Feasts, Festivals and Holiday Celebrations
January | Febuary
| March | April | May
| June
July | August | September
| October | November | December
January Holidays
The Sto. Nino Festival Month
The Centennial celebration kicks off with colorful street dancing showcasing
the Filipinos' deep veneration of the Sto. Nino. The Ati-Atihan of Kalibo,
Aklan. The Sinulog Festival of Cebu City. And the Dinagyang of Iloilo
City.
- FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE
January 9th - Quiapo, Manila
A grand Fiesta, this festivalcenters 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
January 16-22 - 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
Every 2nd Saturday of January - 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
Every third weeken of January - 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
Every fourth weekend of January - 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
Every third Sunday of January - 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.
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Febuary Holidays
The Arts and Culture Month
February is a wonderful time to fall in love with the Philippies. Be
enamored with our rich culture and colorful heritage. Know more about
our diverse traditions as exhibited in music, dance and visual art forms.
Listen to the music of the world-renowned Bamboo Organ of Las Pinas,
in its annual concert series with international artists performing,
as it casts its musical spell on you. Or view the different cultural
presentations at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Theater
Festival at the old walled city of Intramuros.
- FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES
February 2 - 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.
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March Holidays
The Sports Festival Month
Bring out the athlete in you as summer starts to sizzle. Gear up and
put on those visors. Leave the concrete jungles of the metropolis. Know
more about the underwaterworld in the Marine Travel and Trade Show.
Go mountain biking or hiking. Gosailing or snorkeling. Or simply, laze
along our beautiful coastlines under the sun's gaze.
- PARAW REGATTA
First Sunday of March - 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
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.
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April Holidays
The Pilgrimage Month
Observe Lent in various traditions. Join the pabasa. An overnight reading
in chant-style of the Bible. Witness the dramatization of Christ's life
in a cenaculo. Take part in the pilgrimage caravan to Pangasinan. Or
the colorful Moriones Festival of Marinduque. And the salubong. An early
morning procession on Easter Sunday dramatizing the resurrectin of Christ.
Indeed, April is the best time to renew our commitment to our Almighty
Creator.
- VIA CRUSIS
April 1 - 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
Holy Week - Magpet, Cotabato
An anuual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration
of a bountiful harvest.
- MORIONES FESTIVAL
Holy Week - 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
Good Friday - 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
Good Friday - 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.
- LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL
2nd or 3rd Week of april - 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
2nd Week of April - 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.
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May Holidays
The Mayflower Festival Month
The colorful month of the year blooms with festivities and parades.
As summer comes to a close, towns come to life as fiestas are celebrated.
The annual Antipolo pilgrimage. The Pulilan Carabao Festival. The Pahiyas
sa Quezon. And the Obando Fertility Rites are just some of the best
known fiesstas. The merry month of May would not be complete without
the Santacruzan. A processional parade showcasing each locality's good-looking
ladsand lasses in resplendent ternos and gowns.
- PISTA'Y DAYAT
May 1 - 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
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - 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
May 14 - 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.
- PULILAN CARABAO
May 14 - 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
May 15 - 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
May 17 to 19 - 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
May 30 - 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
May - 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.
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June Holidays
Celebration of The Philippine Independence Month
The patriotic fervor of the Centennial celebrating intensifies. Filipino
heroism comes to fore as the Declaration of Independence in Kawit, Cavite-one
hundred years ago-is commemorated. Witness the grandest celebration
of our country, capped by a Grand Parade at the Luneta Park on June
12. The grandest homage to our gallant men and women who stoked the
fires of freedom and eventually ignited the revolution that led to our
country's independence.
- INDEPENDENCE DAY
June 12 - 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
June 24 - 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
June 29 - Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños' old
custom of tattooing that signifies courage and status in the community.
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July Holidays
The Shopping Festival Month
Treat yourself to a showcase of the best local products and latest
merchandise from around the world as the" Sale of the Century "
takes place. Feet the excitement as the Philippines becomes the mecca
of shoppers.
- PAAWAY SA KABAYO (Horsefight)
July 25 and December 25 - 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
First Sunday of July - 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.
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August Holidays
The Exotic Mindanao Month Fascinating.
Spellbinding and worth exploring. Exotic Mindanao. Be mesmerized by
its rich natural resources, romantic fruits, flowers and colorful tribes.
Witness the gathering of tribal groups in the Kalibongan Festival of
Cotabato. The Marang Festival of Agusan del Norte. Or the Kadayawan
Sa Dabaw Festival of Davao City.
- RAJAH BAGUINDA FESTIVAL
2nd Week of August - 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
3rd Week of August - 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.
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September Holidays
The Taste of the Philippine Month
Feast your taste buds to the annual culinary exhibit of the Chefs n
Parade in different first-class hotels and restaurants, side by side
with the Chefs of the World. On the one hand, know more of the cooking
expertise of the Filipino. The adobo. The pinakbet. The sinigang. Or
the lechon de leche. Just a sample menu of month-watering Filipino specialties
that will change your discriminating taste.
- LEMLUNAY (T'BOLI TRIBAL FESTIVAL)
Septermber 16-18 - 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 SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA
3rd Saturday of September - 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.
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October Holidays
The Ecotourism Month
Feast your senses on our natural beauty. Go nature tripping and discover
more of the Philippines. The rainforests of Palawan. The caves of Tabon.
The Chocolate Hills of Bohol. The luxuriant Gardens of Malasag Eco-Tourism
Village. Or the world-renowned Banaue Rice Terraces. Just a sprinkling
of some of the magnificent places to explore. All sculpted and designed
by nature's delicate hand.
- MASSKARA FESTIVAL
October 19 - 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
October 19-22 - 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
2nd Sunday of October - 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.
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November Holidays
The Music and Theater Festival Month
Be enthralled by the inborn musicality of the Filipino. See Musika
Manila and the International Song-writing Festival. An impressive showcase
of various Filipino and international artists exhibiting their musical
and artistic virtuosity. Whether it be ethnic or classical music, the
Filipino's creativity is truly music to the ears.
- FEAST OF SAN CLEMENTE / HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 22-23 - 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
November - 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.
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December Holidays
The Christmas Festival Month
As lanterns lighten up the Christmas spirit, no celebration comes close
to the traditional rituals of Christmas in the Philippines. The month-long
Christmas celebration featuring an International Lantern Parade. A Lantern
and Belen competition in the Kamundagan sa Naga Festival. The misa de
gallo ( early morning mas ) signals the start of the longest Christmas
season in the world.
The media noche depicts the closeness of the Filipinos to their kin
as they partake the midnight meal together. The Giant Lantern Festival
at the Philippine Christmas Village-where the Christmas spirit is on
a year-round activity pumps up the holiday atmosphere.
- MARIAN PROCESSION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed
Virgin Mary from various parishes and provinces paraded.
- PAGDIDIWATA
December 8 - 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
December 8 - 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
December 18 - 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
December - 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
December 28-30 - 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.
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