It's a known truth that Filipinos take their festivals and carnivals seriously. No matter what the financial situation is, the program, or in this matter, the carnival must go on. It's not an exaggeration then when someone says there might be a fiesta going on in some town at any offered day.
Due to the Spanish influence on Filipino's Catholic spirituality, the majority of these festivals are spiritual in origin. Others honor certain essential occasions in history of the nation. No matter what the initial significance of the festival was, nowadays are usually marked with individuals garbed in elaborate costumes, overruning food and beverages, fluvial parades, processions, competitions, and many more. Here we highlight a few of the most popular Philippine Festivals. Most of these have ended up being tourist attraction that draws visitors from all over the world.
1. Ati-Atihan-- Kalibo
Called as the Mother of All Festival in the Philippines, Kalibo's Ati-Atihan is the oldest festival in the country. It's a two-week joviality that culminates on the 3rd Sunday of January.
As early as December, you will hear drumbeats as individuals practice for the upcoming occasion. Throughout the celebration, people dressed in costumes made from native products gather in the street and dance to the beat of the drums. Their skin is blackened to represent the early settlers known as "ati". Chants of "' Viva! Santo Niño!" and "Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!" can be heard in addition to the rhythmic cadence of tribal music. The very first phrase is a homage to the child Jesus and the second is a plea not to get sick under the blistering heat of the sun.
In the last years, various cities have come up with their own version but Ati-Atihan is special for one major reason: it is extremely interactive. Residents are not simply mere spectators, they paint their skin black with soot and sign up with the groups in street dancing. Do not be delayed if you get damp with some beer spray, after all it's the local equivalent of Mardi Gras.
2. Ati-Atihan Sinulog-- Cebu City
On the same day, Cebu City also commemorates the to Santo Niño through their Ati-Atihan Sinulog. What sets it apart is the method they dance to the beat of the drums-- 2 step forward and one action backward-- a movement that's implied to simulate the water current (sulog) of Pahina River. Besides the spiritual parade and street celebrations, you can likewise delight in trade fairs, musical occasions, and art exhibits.
3. Dinagyang-- Iloilo City
Exactly a week later the fourth Sunday of January, Iloilo City also holds the exact same cultural and religious celebration in honour of the Kid Jesus. Dinagyang consists of a fluvial procession, vibrant parades, and a competitors for the most elaborate costume and excellent choreography. There will be numerous stages around the city and you require to buy tickets to better see the dramatic showcase.
4. Masskara-- Bacolod
Another prominent Visayas celebration is Bacolod's Masskara, a 20-day street celebration brimming with food, beverages, dances, and a bevy of wild contests like chasing after a pig and downing coconut milk. Held on the weekend closest to October 19, it was conceptualized to show the regional's resiliency regardless of a tough life. Participants use papier-mâché or clay masks portraying a huge smile.
5. Kadayawan Festival-- Davao City
Mindanao likewise has their own share of lavish feasts led by Davao City's Kadayawan Festival held yearly every 3rd week of August. The normal street dances, the city hosts horse battles, beauty pageants, and boat races.
6. Moriones Festival-- Marinduque
Throughout Holy Week each year, a biblical re-enactment is seen on the roads of Marinduque when villagers don their interpretation of a Roman soldiers' helmet, dress, and armour. Performed as a kind of penitence, Moriones Festival is implied to represent the search for Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a lance during the Crucifixion. Christian or not, this religious pageantry is interesting to state the least.
7. Pintados Festival-- Tacloban
If you're into tattoos and body arts then you may turn over the annual event of Pintados festival in Tacloban when locals dance around the streets with tattooed bodies to signify the brave warriors of the past. Portraying the natives' practice of idolatry in addition to their fondness for music and dance, this June 29th celebration provides a glance of how the native people lived previous to the Spaniard's arrival.
8. Panagbenga, Baguio Flower Festival
The mainland Luzon is https://canvas.instructure.com/eportfolios/850674/myleswcjf936/7_Most_Popular_Fairs_and_Festivals_in_Philippines not one to take the backseat in regards to celebrations too. Every year during the month of February, countless tourists both domestic and foreign increase to the Summer season Capital of the Philippines to witness the city blossom, literally. Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Celebration honors the rise of the city after the tragic disaster when the earthquake struck it in 1990. Throughout the banquet, Burnham Park and Session Road is awash with flamboyant floats decorated totally with flowers, it's a spectacular spectacle actually.
9. Higantes Celebration-- Angono, Rizal
Every 23rd of November, head over to Angono, Rizal to be part of its larger than life event - the Higantes Celebration. In celebration of the Feast of San Clemente, people open their houses and dining table to visitors. It's also quite a sight to see papier-mâché giants sashaying down the street, some measuring as tall as 12 ft.
10. Pahiyas Festival-- Lucban, Quezon
The town of Lucban, Quezon also buzzes with excitement each year on Might 15 as they hold the Pahiyas Festival to thank the patron saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador, for a plentiful harvest. Each house is artistically adorned with fruits, veggies, and the brilliantly coloured rice paper called "kiping". Brace yourself for an all out food extravaganza and a thrilling parade of locals in colourful costumes, papier-mâché giants, carabaos, and lavishly designed drifts.
11. Obando Fertility Rites-- Obando, Bulacan
We'll wrap this list with an unique type of celebration-- the Obando Fertility Rites-- held for 3 days from Might 17 to 19. On nowadays in Obando, Bulacan, enthusiasts do the fertility street dance to beseech the three saints, San Pascua, Nuestra Señora de Salambáo, and Santa Clara for good fortune, a partner, or a lot of particularly, a child.
This list hardly even scratch the surface however is an excellent start for a more in-depth experience of Philippine Culture and Tradition.