Philippine life will never be complete without its local and national festivals – which ultimately reflect the country’s rich history, culture, beliefs, traditions, colors, dances, songs, harvest, etc.
So, here is a thing or two about the country’s top 10 festivals for you to join and enjoy:
#1 - Ati-Atihan (Kalibo, Aklan): Usually held in January, this festival features the youth in colorful costumes, dance and their painting of their skin with black charcoal as they create merriment to give honor to Jesus as an infant.
#2 - Sinulog (Cebu City, Cebu): Usually held every 3rd weekend in January, this festivity is also celebrating the life of Jesus as a baby and showcases cultural dances, with bright-colored costumes, flowers and lots of locals and tourists participating.
#3 - Panagbenga (Baguio City): Usually held the last week in February through the first week in March, Panagbenga is also known as the Blooming Flowers Festival, which boasts of this cool city’s beautiful flowers, by featuring the creative floats and a wonderful street dance.
#4 - Eid-al-Fitr (Region XII in SOCCSKSARGEN): This festival celebrates the end of a month-long fasting and prayer for Muslims. The children receive gifts and both children and adults dress in fine clothing.
#5 - Moriones Festival – (Boac, Magpoc, Marinduque): This week-long celebration depict men and women in colorful costumes with the latter wearing a helmet and mask to re-enact the life of Roman soldiers a long time ago, in search for Longinus, a Roman centurion saint, whose one eye is blind.
#6 - Santacruzan (Nationwide): This national festivity gives honor to Mary, Jesus’ mother by a pageantry of beautiful Filipina ladies and girls with their male escorts; all of them wearing awesome gowns and native attire, respectively. Moreover, this is a joyous time due to many flowers in bloom and the Philippines wants to welcome the coming rain to water the new crops.
#7 - Pahiyas sa Quezon (Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon): Usually held in May, this is one of the most colorful tourist attractions in the Philippines, wherein the bountiful harvest of farmers is being highlighted. Filipinos adorn their homes with fruits, vegetables and flowers of various kinds. Furthermore, they enliven the province with a parade of carabaos, floats, a trade fair, and many others.
#8 - Obando Fertility Rites (Obando, Bulacan): Are you a couple who has been dreaming of having a baby for a long time? Then join the Obando Fertility Rites, a communal dance event in the street which is a form of prayer to ask God to grant your wish. Come on, baby!
#9 - Independence Day (Kawit, Cavite): This momentous day commemorates the independence of the Philippines from Spanish colonization which lasted for over 300 years and culminated in 1898.
#10 - Parada ng Lechon – June 24 (Balayan, Batangas): This fun festival is a parade of roasted whole pigs, stuck on a long bamboo stick, to symbolize Filipinos’ feasting for the life of Saint John the Baptist. It includes the dousing of participants with water during the parade to symbolize John the Baptist’s act of baptizing believers of Jesus Christ, more than 2,000 years ago.
