The Beauty of Philippine Festivals
Philippine festivals and fiestas mirror the rich Filipino heritage, and the welcoming and religious spirit of Filipinos. All year round, there are festivals or fiestas celebrated throughout the country. You have not experienced the rich diversity of the Philippines until you have been to the festivals.
Anyone will be awed by the degree of the Filipino’s devotion to his patron saints. As the feast day of a town’s patron saint nears, folks get busy with all the activities that go with the festivals or fiestas: processions on land or water in honour of the patron saints, parades with colourful floats and brass bands or drums, street dancing with dancers clad on colourful and outlandish costumes, singing contests, games and, most importantly, an array of mouth-watering local cuisine artistically laid in every household’s dining table. In some rural areas, the tradition of opening their houses to everyone is still practiced and the fun fare lasts for two to three days, depending on the town’s tradition. Tourists often wonder how we can afford to put on such lavishness with the hospitality and warmth that we show.
The whole month of May is said to be the season of fiestas. Aside from the month-long celebration in honour of the Virgin Mary, there are fiestas almost everyday in various towns and barrios nationwide.
Most Filipinos in other parts of the world make it a point to go home this time of year in order to pay homage to their patron saints and offer thanksgiving. It is also a most-awaited occasion to reunite with family and friends.
Here are just few of the famous Philippine festivals:
- Feast of the Black Nazarene (9 January in Quiapo, Manila)
- Feasts in honor of Santo Niño or Child Jesus:
- Ati-atihan Festival (every third Sunday of January in Aklan)
- Sinulog Festival (every third Sunday of January in Cebu)
- Dinagyang (last weekend of January in Iloilo City)
- Panagbenga or Flower Festival (last week of February in Baguio City)
- Moriones Festival (every Holy Week in Marinduque)
- Turumba Festival (every Good Friday in Pakil, Laguna)
- Flores de Mayo and Santacruzan (whole month of May, nationwide)
- Carabao Festival (15 May in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Rizal)
- Pahiyas Festival (15 May in Lucban Quezon)
- Obando Fertility Rites (17 to 19 May in Obando, Bulacan)
- Pintados Festival (29 June in Tacloban City, Leyte)
- Kadayawan Festival (every third week of August in Davao City)
- Peñafrancia Festival (third Saturday of September in Naga City, Camarines Sur)
- Masskara Festival (around the third week of October in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
Filipinos indeed will never run out of ideas in celebrating life. Aside from the existing festivals, more and more new ones are being conceptualized and launched every year. For the Filipinos, festivals and fiestas are true symbols of togetherness, community bonding, overflowing fun, colour and excitement. These give an experience hard to put into words but can be felt by each one through the bright smiles, melodic songs, dances and delectable cuisine that go in every Philippine fiesta and festival.