1.

Sinulog Festival
Millions of people participated in Cebu City last Sunday to celebrate the Sinulog Festival, one of the
most famous festivals in the Philippines. It was attended, not only by Filipinos, but people coming
from different parts of the globe also went to witness the celebration. The magnificence of the
festival made Filipinos, as well as our fellow Asians, refer to it as the “Mother of all Festivals”. From
the colorful and well-made costumes of the dancers, to the beautiful dances and to the music
brought by the drums, trumpets, and the native gongs, the Sinulog Festival never ceases to amaze
its audience.For 32 years, the Sinulog Festival is a traditional celebration in Cebu City held every
third Sunday of January to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). Basically, the festival is done by a
dance ritual, in which it tells the story of the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of
Christianity. The word “Sinulog” means “graceful dance”, wherein it all started in 1980 with a
simple dance that represents the “sulog” (or current) of a river in Cebu.With the celebration’s
evolution, the Sinulog Festival has become a month long tradition in Cebu. The most-awaited
feature, nevertheless, is the Sinulog Grand Parade which was held on the 15th day of January.
“One Beat, One Dance, One Vision. Cebu – City of Culture” was the theme adopted for the 2012
SinulogFestival.As the festival becomes more and more famous each year, tourists would never
want to miss the opportunity to watch it and became more and more commercialized. The festival
now, not only consists of costumes and dances, but also contests, such as art exhibits, beauty
pageants, photo contests, and singing and dancing contests. Participants may also join the festival’s
activities, such as concerts, cultural shows, fireworks display, fun runs, and street fairs. For the
past 18 years, it has made the Filipinos residing in New Zealand celebrate their own version each
year, a proof on how big of an influence the festival is. It has also been recognized as the “City of
Culture” by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
2. Ati-Atihan Festival
At more than 800 years old, Ati-Atihan Festival had surpassed many human lifetimes, conquerors,
presidents, wars, victories, calamities & what-have-yous. It inspired the creation of many lavish
fiestas that happen everyday across the 7,000 plus islands in the Philippines. And it still continues
to charm everyone to this day. Ati-Atihan Festival honors the Infant Jesus, Sto. Niño but actually
traces its pagan roots back to 1200AD.There are a few versions of how it came about. One is the
welcome feast that the Atis gave to the 10 Bornean datus after a riddled trade of land for textiles,
brass basins, a golden “salakot” & a long necklace. Then there’s the story of thanksgiving where the
Atis sang & danced for the new settlers in saving them from famine.Whichever version is true, one
thing is for sure — it is the oldest festival in the Philippines & one that is surely hard to top. Where
it all began in Kalibo Aklan, Ati-Atihan Festival is celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January. Its name
owes the characteristics of the indigenous Ati people, that being short, dark-skinned & frizzy-
haired. While it is pagan in origin, Spain’s conversion of the Atis into Christianity turned the
celebration into a religious devotion to Sto. Niño. This form of syncretic occasions combines both
ethnic beliefs & Catholicism similar to how it is done in many other fiestas around. Ati-Atihan
Festival stirred the creations of many other festivals in the Philippines. Among them are the Sinulog
in Cebu & the Dinagyang in Iloilo. Other towns in Aklan like Ibajay, Malinao & Malay also celebrate
the same theme. Unlike other festivals where the audience just stands as cold onlookers, Ati-Atihan
is not a spectator event. You can dance with the Atis without marshals shooing you away. You can
weave in & out of the parade route like you’re one of them.

3.Panagbenga Festival
Panagbenga Festival (English: Flower Festival) is a month-long annual flower festival occurring in
Baguio. The term is of Kankanaey origin, meaning "season of blooming".The festival, held in
February, was created as a tribute to the city's flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation
of the 1990 Luzon earthquake.The festival includes floats that are covered mostly with flowers not
unlike those used in Pasadena's Rose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented
by dancers clad in flower-inspired costumes, that is inspired by the Bendian, an Ibaloi dance of
celebration that came from the Cordillera region.Aside from boosting the economy through tourism,
the festival also helped the younger generation of indigenous people to rediscover their culture's old
traditions. The indigenous people were first wary with government-led tourism because of the threat
that they will interfere or change their communities' rituals.The Bases Conversion Development
Authority (BCDA), in collaboration with the John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation's (JPDC)
annual Camp John Hay Art Contest, gave its official logo from one of the entries: a spray of
indigenous sunflowers from an artwork submitted by Trisha Tabangin, a student of the Baguio City
National High School. The festival was set in February to boost tourism as it was considered as a
time of inactivity between the busy days of Christmas season and the Holy Week and the summer
season.In 1996, archivist and curator Ike Picpican suggested that the festival be renamed as
Panagbenga, a Kankanaey term that means "a season of blossoming, a time for flowering"
4.Pahiyas Festival
Every May 15, the townsfolk of Lucban, Quezon, don their houses with fruits, vegetables and
colorful kiping (a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice and dyed with food coloring) in celebration of the
Pahiyas Festival. The word ‘pahiyas’ was derived from the word ‘payas’, which means decoration or
to decorate. The reason behind such practice dates back to the 15th century, when farmers used to
offer their harvests at the foot of Mount Banahaw. Over time, they brought their farm produce at
the church in honor of the town’s patron saint – St. Isidore the Laborer, who is the patron saint of
farmers, laborers and peasants.During that time, farmers would bring their harvest to the town
church and the parish priest would bless them as a way to give thanks to the Lord for their
bountiful harvest. But as time progressed, the church can no longer accommodate all harvests. It
was then agreed upon for the harvests to be displayed in the farmers’ houses instead. Thus, the
parish priest would go around the community to bless their harvests.Locals believe that keeping the
tradition alive was essential because it brought them away from deprivation and misfortune in their
town. In May 1963, what was originally a pagan festival transformed into the colorful, grand festival
that Filipinos know today. Apart from holding a competition that chooses the house with the most
creative design, the festival also included cultural shows, various contests, parades and exhibits
that would boost the tourist of the town of Lucban. It was the idea of the Art Club of Lucban’s
Founder and President Fernando CadeliñaNañawa.Instead of just putting the agricultural harvest
in front of their door steps, the facade of each participating house also put commercial products
such as hats, abaniko or hand-held fans, mats, bags, the famous Lucbanlongganisa (Filipino-style
sausages) and of course, the kiping.

5.Giant Lantern Festival

Owing to its Catholic traditions, the Philippines is perhaps one of the few countries in the world
that celebrates Christmas the earliest and the longest. The country marks the Christmas holidays
starting from 1 September. Shopping malls and shops will start displaying Christmas decorations;
families will start to put up Christmas trees in their houses; and Christmas songs will be heard
almost everywhere.San Fernando, a city located in the province of Pampanga, is known as the
Philippine Christmas capital. The city is famous for its colorful and handcrafted lanterns that had
been part of the province’s Christmas traditions since the 1900s. The Christmas lantern is called
parulsampernandu in Kapampangan, the local language of the Pampanga province or parol in
Filipino. The origin of the word parol came from the Spanish farol, which means lantern or light.
The lanterns symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, thus most lantern designs from San Fernando
incorporate a star caricature. In the Catholic tradition, the Three Kings are believed to have followed
the Star of Bethlehem that led them to find the Child Jesus in a manger.Every December, the Giant
Lantern Festival (LigliganParul in Kapampangan) is held in San Fernando. The lanterns are
transformed like gigantic glowing stars with rotors that synchronize thousands of dancing lights
and the sound of Christmas melodies. Usually the giant lanterns are about six meters tall and hung
up in the air. Decorated with thousands of light bulbs, capiz shells, and fiberglass, the giant
lanterns are stuck to polyvinyl plastic. It is a festival for the eyes; people flock at night to witness
the grand salvo of lights and sound.The Giant Lantern Festival is also a competition where various
barangays in Pampanga compete to win for the most beautiful giant lantern in the province. The
locals take pride in their province’s competition as it is where they showcase their creativity and
knowledge in crafting the intricate designs of giant lanterns. Tracing back to the country’s colonial
history, the lantern-making tradition in San Fernando Province is influenced by the Spanish. The
Spanish encouraged the local people to have lantern processions in honor of Our Lady of La Naval
or the blessed Virgin Mary. In the past, the people would have a nine-day novena called lubenas,
which was usually held before Christmas. The religious tradition has evolved to become the Giant
Lantern Festival where people flock to witness the spectacular yuletide festival.

6.Moriones Festival
The Moriones is an annual festival held on Holy Week on the island of Marinduque, Philippines. The
"Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman
soldiers as interpreted by local folk. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has inspired the creation
of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk history are turned into street
festivals.Morion means "mask" or "visor," a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the
face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and costumed penitents who march around
the town for seven days searching for Longinus. Morions roam the streets in town from Holy
Monday to Easter Sunday scaring the kids, or engaging in antics or surprises to draw attention.
This is a folk-religious festival that re-enacts the story of Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion who
was blind in one eye. The festival is characterized by colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and
helmets, and brightly-colored tunics. The towns of Boac, Gasan, Santa Cruz, Buenavista and
Mogpog in the island of Marinduque become one gigantic stage. The observances form part of the
Lenten celebrations of Marinduque. The various towns also hold the unique tradition of the pabasa
or the recitation of Christ's passion in verse.Then at three o'clock on Good Friday afternoon, the
Santo Sepulcro is observed, whereby old women exchange verses based on the Bible as they stand
in the wake of the dead Christ. One of the highlights of this festival is the Via Crucis. A re-
enactment of the suffering of Christ on his way to the Calvary. Men inflict suffering upon
themselves by whipping their backs, carrying a wooden cross and sometimes even crucifixion. They
see this act as their form of atonement for their sins. This weeklong celebration starts on Holy
Monday and ends on Easter Sunday.The term "Moriones" was concocted by the media in the 60s,
but local inhabitants have kept the original term, "Moryonan". Many practitioners are farmers and
fishermen who engage in this age-old tradition as a vow of penance or thanksgiving. Legend has it
that Longinus pierced the side of the crucified Christ. The blood that spurted forth touched his
blind eye and fully restored his sight. This miracle converted Longinus to Christianity and earned
the ire of his fellow centurions. The re-enactment reaches its climax when Longinus is caught and
beheaded.In Valencia, Spain, there is a similar celebration called Festival de Moros y Cristianos
(Moors and Christians Festival). It is almost certain that the word "Moriones" was derived from
"Moros". Another possible derivation is from the Spanish word "murió" (root:morir) meaning death.
The origin of the festival is traced to Mogpog and the year 1807 when the parish priest of said town,
Fr. Dionisio Santiago, organized it for the first time.

7.Masskara Festival
The term Masskara is coined from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word cara,
for face; thus the double meaning for "mask" and "many faces". The Masskara festival was first
conceived in 1980 to add color and gaiety to the Bcolod City's celebration of its Charter Day
anniversary, on 19 October. The symbol of the festival - a smiling mask - was adopted by the
organizers to dramatize the Negrenses happy spirit, despite periodic economic downturns in the
sugar industry.Throughout the week, people from all over the Visayas, flock to the town plaza. They
join Bacoleños in the non-stop round of festivities. Even if you don't feel like dancing and singing,
the pig catching and pole climbing competitions are musts. Some are also trying their luck and
testing their skills in mask-making contests, disco king and queen competitions, coconut-milk
drinking to name a few.Masks are the order of the day at the Masskara parade, as brightly-
costumed men and women dance and prance in the streets. Their beaming faces are be-dimpled,
grinning and laughing in molded clay or papier-mache. Every group is represented: civic
associations, commercial establishments, schools, even private and government organizations. They
march out in enthusiastic throngs wearing their painted masks and elaborate costumes, all vying
for prizes in judging that will be held in the afternoon. The festival also benefits Bacolod tourism
not only because tourists flock the city during this time to join the merrymaking but also to buy the
orchids and ornate handicrafts on sale.

8.Dinagyang Festival
Dinagyang Festival is one of the biggest and world-class festivals in the Philippines. It traces the
history of devotion to the Holy Child Jesus popularly known to Filipino devotees as Sr. Sto.
Nino. The festival also commemorates the arrival of the Malay settlers and the legendary barter
of Panay Island from the natives called called Ati.Dinagyang season in Iloilo City is on the first
month of the year and highlighted with an Ati Tribe Competition every fourth Sunday of
January. There is an official launching by mid-October of the previous year signaling the start of
preparations especially for tribes to practice for their performances in January of the next
year.The participants show impressive choreography with colorful tribal costumes and striking
props to present socio-cultural and religious tableaus depicting life in Panay before the Spanish
colonization and the advent of Catholicism in the country.Dinagyang is the le ading tourism,
cultural, religious and socio-economic promotional vehicle and symbol of Iloilo City’s continuing
progress and sustainable development.

9.Aliwan Fiesta

Aliwan Festival is one of the most popular festivals in the Philippines. It attracts tourists in their
numbers from across the country and the globe.An annual event just as most of the Philippines
festivals are, Aliwan is all about celebrating the diverse culture of the locals. The Fiesta brings
together multiple festivals to gather in Pasay City. Due to the sheer magnitude of the fiesta, the city
throngs with culture enthusiasts and other travelers. Suffice to say, the fiesta is referred to as the
‘Mother of all festivals’, and for good reason. The fiesta not only brings together large numbers of
tourists, but it is also an adventure of sorts if the competitions and prize money are anything to go
by.Started in 2003, the Fiesta has grown to be a household name and a must-attend for those who
love all things cultural. The aim of the Aliwan Festival is to promote the different cultures in the
country, not just to its own people, but to tell the story to the rest of the world.In fact, the name
‘Aliwan’ translates to entertainment in the local dialect. It is no surprise, therefore, that the fiesta
lives up to its name. While at the fiesta, look out for the three categories that it is divided into.
These include the Float Parade, the Beauty Pageant as well as the Cultural Street Dance contest.

10.Higantes Festival

The townspeople of Angono, Rizal, definitely know how to throw a BIG fiesta. The annual town’s

fiesta of Angono held every 23rd of November is a celebration in honor of San Clemente (patron saint

of fishermen). The main event is a procession of the patron saint, which is carried by male devotees,

convoyed by “pahadores” (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes or fishermen’s clothes,

wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles, fish nets, traps, etc.). Adding to the festivity is the

“Higantes” (giants). Higantes are giant paper mache images measuring four to five feet in diameter

and ten to twelve feet in height. The street event leads to a fluvial procession in Laguna de Bay,

however, the festivities continue until the image is returned to its sanctuary. And where does the

idea of “higantes” came from? The “higantes” is a century-old tradition, dating back when Angono

was a Spanish hacienda. During that time, the hacienda owners were concerned about the costs of

all the celebrations in the town leading to prohibiting all except for one annual fiesta. To make the

best out the situation, the townspeople decided to add more enjoyment to the single fiesta they can

have. Through the art form from Mexico brought by the Spanish priests, the people created larger-

than-life caricatures of their Spanish landlords. True to the Filipino essence of celebration, the

event became a spectacular celebration, and a tricky inside joke. Furthermore, there was a story

that a Frenchman who was cruising from Manila Bay passing to this coastal town of Laguna de

Bay, mesmerized by the town divided by a river, he predicted that someday giants would arise and

become famous. Taking his words, Angono is the hometown of the two highly celebrated national

artists of the country, namely Carlos “Botong” Francisco in the field of visual arts and Professor

Lucio D. San Pedro in the field of music.

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