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Kalibongan
Festival
Kidapawan
City,Cotabato
The festival is celebrated
simultaneously with the founding of Kidapawan in Cotabato.Kalibongan means grand festival and is one of the most colorful.The
highlights of the festival include a horse fight,blood compact
ceremony,trade fair,sports competition,cultural presentations,conferment
of datus and baes
and tribal weddings.
17th
Febuary
Tawo-Tawo
Festival
Bayawan,Negros Oriental
Street dancing and showdown
competations days before the fiesta.Festival celebrates
scarecrows(Tawo-tawo) through paper mache giants as guardians of the
crops.
18-28
Febuary
Bamboo
Organ Festival
St.Joseph
Parish,Las Pinas City,Manila
The festival includes a
musical presentation of the country s bamboo organ featuring Filipino
and foreigner musicians.
20-28
Febuary
Baguio
Flower Festival
Baguio
City
The hill resort turns into a
city of flowers with weel-long flower exhibition of ornamental
plants,street dancing and sidewalk cafes.
21-27
Febuary
Kalingan
Festival
General
Santos City
Activities include
agro-industrial trade fair,cultural prresentations,drum and bugle
competation,culinary art contest called“Pagana“
an ethnic musical instrument competation called“kulintang“and
street dancing called“kidig-kidig sa dalan“.
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MARCH
The"Sports
Festival"Month
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The
philippines is not called the“Fiesta Islands“ for
nothing.Filipino’s are fun-loving and this is clearly reflected in the
way they celebrate fiestas and religious festival.
The Philippines is also the
only predominantly Christian nation in Asia,with a large catholoic
majority.This is the main reason the countrys fiesta calendar is full of
religious holidays and communal festivities.every good friday young men
volunteer themselves for the honor of being“crucified“,and
flagellants take to the streets to demonstrate their faith.Even
jeepneys,the favorate public transport,are painted with Christian images
and symbols.
The following represent a
select list of major holidays,fiesras and festivals celebrated in the
country and the traditional that make them endearing to the Filipino
soul.
Note:
Event dates may change without prior notice.
21
March
The Magellan Trek:Mt. Mayapay
Adventure Quest
Mt.Mayapay,Butuan City
Day-long competations of
trial,running/hiking,mountain biking and canoeing at the mountain range
of Mt.Mayapay participants include mountaineers and mountain bikers from
various cities of Visayas & Mindanao.
10-16
March
Araw
ng Dabaw
Davao
City
Foundation day celebration of
Davao as a chartered city.Activities include:agro-industrial
fairs,cultural presentations,civic-military parades.selection of Datu
bago awardees,sports activities and Pasasalamat rites.Added bonus:city
wide shopping and dining discounts.
18-19
March
Pasayaw
Festival
Canlaon
City,Negros Orienta
Festival highlight is the
street dancing of participants dressed in colorful costumes,made from
indigenous materials,dancing to the beat of the bamboo and gongs along
the cities main thourough fare.
3rd
Week,March
White
Water River Rafting Competation
Cagayan
de Oro & Bukidnon
Dare
ride the river rapids of cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.
March
Arya
Abra Festival
Bagued,Abra
Featuring“Karikarit“a
bamboo rafting contest,with ethnic performances of the Tinguilans.
APRIL
The
Pilgrime Month
02nd
April
Pagtaltal
sa Guimaras
DOT
Picture
Pagtaltal
sa Guimaras
Lenten
presentation on the hillside of Guimars with local as actors.This
ala-Oberammergau passion play has been attracting locals and tourist
whose visit usually culminates in the trek to“Bataan Bukid“.
02nd
April
Cutud
Lenten Rites
San
Pedro Cutud,San Fernando,Pampanga
Done every Good Friday,this
re-actment is complete with passion play that culminates with the actual
nailing of at least three penitents on wooden crosses atop a makeshift
Calvary.
02nd
April
Turumba
Pakil,Laguna
Feast honor of Our Lady of
Sorrows is celebrated through a procession and dancing to the turumba
song participated by residents and believers from other towns.
03rd
April
Turugpo
Barangay
Camansi,Carigara,Leyte
Traditionally
held every Black Saturday,this features traditional jousts of native
carabaos(pasungay)and horses(paaway).
Holy
We
Mariones
Festival
Mariones
Festival
Boac,Mogpog
& Gasan,Marinduque
Mariones“ refer to the
colorfully garbed and masked soldiers and centurios during Christs
Passion.Festival culminates in the re-enactment of the beheading of
Longinus.Entire towns are covered into huge stages as the story of
Longinus unfolds.
Holy
Week
Agoo
Semana Santa
Agoo,La
Union
Good Friday procession climax
the Semana santa where 30 beautifully adorned carozas(carriages
and their flixtures)lined up at the Plaza de Virgen,a remarkable
tradition dating from the Spanish times and the Penitential procession
of Women in honor of the mother of Christ,all dressed in black.
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MAY
The"May Flower and
Fiesta"Month
1st
week of May
Viva
Vigan Arts &Industry festival
Vigan,Ilocos
Sur
Includes presentations of
zarzuelas,comedia,exhibits and bargain sale fairs.Highlights is a parade
of 200 or more calezas(horse-drawn carriages)and a“Balikbayan night“
honoring homecoming natives of Vigan.
01-31
May
Bohol
Fiesta
Bohol
The fiesta,and there is almost
one every day in the entire island of Bohol,have residents prepare
sumptous meals for expected and unexpected relatives,friends and
visitors.
01-31
May
Magayon
Festival
Albay
A grand Albayano celebration
deeply rooted in tradition.highlights include a series of street
presentations of the legends and origins of the names of the different
municipalities,declared in a grandiose yet elegant spectacle,amidst
profuse merry-making.
May-02
Carabao-Carroza
Race
Pavia,Ilo-ilo
A holiday when the carabao is
made“king“of the day.Features a race among carabaos,each pulling a
bamboo carriage on a 400-meter course.
11
May
Barangay
boat Festival
Aparri,Cagayan
A fluvial is held annually in
honor of saint Peter Thelmo,the towns patron saint.
12
May
Feast
of San Roque“sayawan sa kalye“
Valenzuela,Bulacan
A tradition since the 18th
century,this is a festival in honor of the towns patron saint.Street
dancing highlights the event.legends has it that people who wish to have
husbands or boyfriends must join the street dance for their wish to be
granted.
May
14
Carabao
Festival
Pulilan
,Bulacan
The carabao procession
featuring the esteemed animal kneeling in front of the church of San
Isidro de Labrador.Karitons(Carts) and
other vehicles serve as float.
15
May
San
Isidro Festival
Pahiyas sa Lucban, Agayan sa
Sariaya, Balwarte sa Gumaca, Mayohan sa Tayabas
Sariaya,Lucban,Gumaca,Tayabads
Quezon
Homes are decked with kiping(multi-colored
paper-thin-leaf-shaped rice kropeck)and harvest vegetables.Trade
fair,civic parades and procession are among the activities.
16
May
Tabanog
Festival
Cagayan
de Oro City & Oroqueta City
Kite making and kite flying
competation of various categories for adults and children.
17-19
May
Obando
Fertility Rites
Obando,Bulacan
The main attraction is
the“fertility dance“of childless couples on the streets,praying that
they bear children.The fiesta is observe in honor of Sta.Clara,san
pascual and the Virgen de Salambo.
18
May
Pahoy
pahoy festival
Barugo,Leyte
Farmers festivity highlighted
by a grand parade and street dancing of people dressed like scarecrows.
22-24
May
Manggahan
sa Guimaras Festival
Guimaras
Manggahan
Sa Guimaras Festival
©1998
Department of Tourism - Region VI
The
best time to buy the sweetest mangoes in the Philippines.street
dancing,technology fair,cultural presentations,beauty pageants,marathon
race among the many activities.
31
May
Tapusan
Alitagtag,Batangas
Highlights include offering of
flowers to the blessed virgin capped by a procession of beatifully
crafted floats created by the towns artisans.
The festival honors the Holy
Cross.
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JUNE
The"Independence
Day"Month
01-16
June
Buklog
Festival,Linggo ng Zamboanga del Norte,Balikbayan Festival
Dipolog
City,Zamboanga del Norte
Famous
Buklog stationery street dancing performed by native Subaens on 10-foot
structures.Also includes agro-industial fairs,sports,beauty
pageants,concerts,cultural shows and a recognition and welcome party for
all organized zambuangenos living abroad.
12
June
Independence
Day Celebrations
Cagayan
de Oro,Public Plaza,Bacolod City,Baguio City,Kawit Cavite,Dingras Ilocos
Norte
A
nationwide affair.Special activities in these areas which include
parades,re-enacment of the historic Proclamation of Philippine
Independence(in Kawit,Cavite),Flag raising ceremonies,cultural
presentations and sport festival.
12-27
June
Nilayagan
Festival
Agusan
del Sur
A
six-day socoi-cultural and arts ex-position of the indigenous tribes in
the entire Agusan Valley.natives
display skills and dancing as part of their ritual activities in this
grand display of Agusanon culture and heritage.
12-20
June
Araw
ng Cotabato
Cotabato
The ciy of Cotabato in
mindanao celebrates ist founding with such special events as the layang-layang
or giant kite festival,fluvial parades,banca race and sports
competation.
21-26
June
Rodeo,Rodeo
Masbate
This highlights the Masbate
Livestock Week.Festival activities include a grand rodeo
parade,agro-industrial fair,individual and group competations in bull
riding,steer wrestling,lassoing,post driving,calf casting,wood
chopping,carabao race and other traditional Filipino games.
24
June
Taong
Putik
Bibliacat,Aliaga,Nueva
Ecija
Literally
meaning“mud people“this tradition sprang from unique practice of the
devotees of St.John the Baptist who was said to hide role as the chosen
one to baptize Christ by wearing animal skins to avoid the people who
were after his head.As part of the ritual,these“San Juan“cover their
bodies with mud adorned with vines,banana leaves or dried coconut
leaves.At dawn they perform on the streets,asking for alms and candles
and offering mass at the Church in a special 7a.m. celebration.
24
June
Parada
ng Lechon
Balayan,Batangas
Roasred pigs known
as“Lechon“are costumed,decorated and parades around town after which
they are declare fair game for everyone.Visitors are welcomed by
townfolks with a generous water dousing to celebrate the feast day of
St.John the Baptist.
The feast day and the dousing
are concurrently celebrated also in the municipality of San
Juan in Metro Manila and in Cavite
City.In Catarman
Camiguin,fluvial parades
and boat races are also held.
25-30
June
Piat
Sambali Festival
Piat,Cagayan
The colorful celebration
is highlighted by street dancing,cultural shows held in the
evening and a beauty pageant.This festival commemorates the
Christianization of the Itawes region of Cagayan.
27-28June
Lami-lamihan
Festival
Lamitan,Basilan
Showcases Yakan culture with
natives wearing authentic costume.there will also be a simulation of
Yakan wedding,baptism and graduation,among other rituals.
28-30
June
Apung
Iru Fluvial Festival
Apalit,Pampanga
The most awaited activity of
this festival is the colorful fluvial procession where the image of
St.Peter(Apung-iru)is brought down from Calapanagn to calumpit River
where a colorful mini-pagoda awaits.A number of bancas and motorboats
join the regatta,ist occupants heartily doused.The image continues to
ply the Pampanga river where it is transferred to the main pagoda until
it reaches the parish church of Apalit where it stays until June 30.
29
June
Pintados
Festival
Tacloban,Leyte
This is one of the countrys
mors famous festivals and includes a street parade and a contest
displaying the ancient tradition of tattooing which used to signify
courage and status in the community.
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JULY
The"shopping
Festival" Month
01-02
July
Feast
of the Miraculous Lady of Piat
Piat,Cagayan
Local and international
tourist flock to the pilgrims image.With procession of the Marian
devotees.
03-04
July
Sagayan,Festival
Tubod,Lanao
del Norte
The festival has ist origins
as a war dance that cannotes masculinity.it is cpmplemented by women
wearing colorful costumes and walking with graceful arm movements known
as“Kasiduratan“.The festival is
unique as it is the only celebration based on culture with no religious
connotation.
12-25
July
Sinulog
de Tanjay Festival
Tanjay,negros
Oriental
This celebration features the
origin of the old sinulog culture.A
costume parade is held showing off the native costume,while the horse
fight presentation re-enact the battle between the spinards and Muslims.
16
July
Suybayan
keg Subanon Festival
Ozamis
City
Highlights include in
songs,dances and other forms of simulated social expreeion of Subanon
rich cultural heritage.
16
July
kinabayo
Festival
Dapitan
City
Feast day of St.James
celebrated by the sinug,a dance
procession and the kinabayo,an exotic and colorful pageantry.
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AUGUST
The"Excitic
Mindanao"Month
18-21
August
Kadayawan
Festival
Davao
City
The Apo Duwaling festival
honors three symbols which made davao famous-Mt.Apo,the waling-waling
flower and the durian fruit.The celabration is highlighted by street
dancing,tribal shows,horse fights and a beauty contest.Shopping and
dinning discounts galore await tourists.
01-30
Augus
Tribal
craft shopping
The
garden of Malasag Eco-Tourism Village,Cagayan de Oro City
Intricately woven native
products from baskets,bags,beaded necklace,anklets,hats.ladies
accessories and some one-of-a-kind art piece made of indigenous
materials for sale.
On August 14,the village will
celebrate the Manobo-Ranao festival featuring spectacular and colorful
perfprmances of the Manobo and Maranaw tribes highlighted with
songs,dance and rituals.
04-05
August
Palu-palo
Festival
Basco,Batanes
Cultural
presentation of the lives and times of the Ivatans.
15
August
Lubi-lubi
Festival
Calubian,Leyte
A festivals showcasing various
uses of the coconut tree and ist by-products through dances and street
revely.
19
August
Buyogan
Festival
Abuyog,Leyte
Boby painting and costume
competition depiciting the origin of the name of the town.A street
pageantry focusing or simulating the bees.
28-28August
Kagayhaan
Festival
Cagayan
de Oro City
Mardi.Gras-type of street
dancing participated by contingents from School and civic organizations.
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SEPTEMBER
The "Tatse of the
Philippines"Month
03
Septembe
Tilaw
sa Pagkaong nan Surigaonon
Surigao
City
A food festival showing the
ingenuity,creativity and artistry of Surigaonons in a variety of local
delicacies.
01-08
September
Sarakiki
Festival
Calbayog
City,North Samar
Sarakiki streert dance is
charactirized by movements of the rooster and involves performances
wearing costumes inspired by the birds apperance.
07
September
Hudyaka
sa Bais City
Bais
City,Negros Oriental
The town made famous by whale
and dolphin watching tours holds a lively mardi Gras festival with
choreographed street dancing.magnificent floats and spectacular head
dresses can also be seen at this affair.
17
September
Voyades
y Penafrancia Festival
Naga
City,Camarines Su
A re-enacment via a street
dance of the transfer of the image of Our Lady of Penafrancia from the
Basilica to the metropolitan Cathedral,borne of the shoulder of her male
devotees(the voyadores“)and her voyage back in a fluvial procession
along the Bicol river.
29September
Banigan
Kawayan Festival
Basey,samar
The
showcase the banig(mat)and Kawayan(bamboo)as
truly unique to Basey,the festival showcases street dances featuring the
beautiful by-products of these indigenous materials.
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OCTOBER
The"Eco.Tourism"Month
06-12
October
Ibalong
Festival
Legazpi
City,Albay
Ibalong
refers to the early nomenclature of the Bicol Region and a character in
an old epic.For the festival a gala of costumes and banners are
displayed.also on the program are a trade fair,sports fest,guided
tour,art exhibit and beauty pageants.
10-12
October
Zamboanga
Hermosa Festival
Zamboanga
City
The regions biggest week-long
celebration marked by a regatta of colorful vintas,bandoreal,cultural
shows,art exhibits,flower shows,fairs.Highlighted by the fiesta Pilar
honoring the Nuestra Senora del Pilar de Zaragosa on October 12.
Weekend
Nearest October 19
Masskara
Festival
Bacolod
City
The citys biggest annual event
charactirized by street dancers in colorful
masks.Carnivals,fairs,floats,parades,foodfest mark the occassion
culminating on october 19,the citys foundation day.
22-24
October
Catandugan
Festival
Virac,Catanduanes
A celebration of the provinces
founding anniversary.main feature are street dancing,Pantomina,beauty
pageants,agro-trade fair,sports activities,guided tpours and photo
exhibits.
25
October
Battle
of surigao Strait
Barangay
Lipata/Barangay Punta/Bilar,Surigao City
It is in Surigao Strait where
the greatest naval battle in history took place.Highlights include
lighting of the symbolic flame,a fly by(by the Philippines Air Force),a
gun salute(Philippine Army),floral,candle offering,open house exhibit(at
the vessel),food fest and a grand ballroom tableau reacreating the
battle
3rd
Week of October
Lanzones
festival
Camiguin
Island
Lanzones
Fruit
Showcase
of agro-industrial products,cultural presentations highlighted by street
dancing competation and lazones picking.
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NOVEMBER
The"Music and
Theater"Month
Every
sunday at 5 p.m.
Concert
at the park(Musika Manila)
Rizal
Park Open-air Auditorium,Manila
A free feast of sight and
sound.
Every
Friday at 6 p.m.
Paco
Park,san Marcelino,Manila
Duets,trios
and quartets in a program of the best of chamber music.
05-13
November
Kansilay
Festival
Silay
City
Kansilay
Festival
Nine-day celebration starts
with the“El Cinco de Noviembre“a
one-day bloodless revolution in the city which caused the surrender of
the Spanish civil guards.A foodfest,an Ilonggo poetry
presentation,agro-industrial frair,with special focus on the Kansilay
street dance-drama competation.
23
November
Higantes
Festival(feast of San clemente)
Angono,Rizal
The town fiesta is held
annually in honor of the towns patron saint,San Clemente.It is
highlighted by a procession where the images of San Clemente are taken
to the river.A parade is
held with higantes or huge papier mache
effigies dressed in native costum.
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DECEMBER
The"Christmas in
the Philippines"Month
01-31
December
Pasko
sa Tanjay,Pasko sa Sugbu,Kamundangan Festival
Tanjay,Negros
Oriental,Cebu City& Naga City
Month-long Christmas
festivities featuring cultural presentations,contest,lighting of the
citys main thoroughfares.
05-08
December
Sinadya
sa Halaran
Roxas
City,Capiz
A combined festival
commemorating the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the provinces
celebration marked by activities such as fireworks display,grand dance
parade,foodfest and the capiz dance Festival.
19December
San
Fernando Giant lantern Festival
San
Fernando,Pampanga
Giant
lanterns measuring 14 to 18 feet in diameter in multicolored designs and
light pattern on display for locals and visitor.
24
December
Panunuluyan
or Maytinis
Malolos,Hagonoy,Obando,Bulacan
& Kawit,Cavite
A charming procession
depicting Mary & Josephs search for an inn to stay.
28-30
December
Binirayan
Festival
San
Jose,Antique
The celebration commemorates
the landing of the 10 malayan Datus in Antique.
31December
Torotot
Festival
Tanauan,Leyte
Festival
of fireworks and torotots(bugles) in a
noisy parade all over town to usher in the new year.
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