FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE
Quiapo Church, Manila
January 9
People go to Quiapo Church, Manila to honor the miraculous
wooden black statue of Jesus Christ carried by male devotees
during the procession.
ATI-ATIHAN
Kalibo, Aklan
Third Week
The Ati-Atihan Festival honors the 13th century land deal
between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the indigenous Ati
King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto.
Niño. The constant, rhythmic pounding of drums get to you, and
before you know it you are on the street, shuffling your feet,
shaking your head, waving your hands - and joining thousands of
soot-blacked, gaily-costumed revelers in an ancient ritual of
mindless happiness. A familiar battle cry reaches your ears, and
amidst all this bewilderment you remember where you are:
Kalibo, Aklan. "Viva, Sto. Niño!" The Ati-Atihan celebration is
boomed in many parts of the country.
SINULOG
Cebu City
third sunday of January
Cebu City's fiesta of fiestas. Distinguished by its unusual two-
steps-forward-and-one-step-backward shuffle, thus simulating the
Holy Child of the shores, the Sinulog is a century-old tradition
observed in the part of Visayas region. The prayer-dance is
harmonized to the beat of drums and shouts of "Pit Señor! Viva
Sto. Niño!”. Feel free to dance with the best of them, enjoying all
the way to the grand final presentation at the Cebu City Sports
Center.
7. CARACOL SA MAKATI
Makati City, Manila
Last Sunday in January
KAAMULAN
Malaybalay, Bukidnon
March 3 - 7
Expect the Bukidnon to go tribal from the first to the second week
of March, when the streets of Malaybalay take on that familiar
fiesta theme. Banners, banderitas, and beer will be standard, as
well as the sweet, haunting sound of native music. An early
morning pamuhat ritual kicks off the festivities, to be followed by
an ethnic food fest, trade fairs, and a lot of native dancing.
DINAGYANG
Iloilo City
Fourth Weekend
Merry mayhem breaks loose in Iloilo City during this weekend,
when Ilonggos leave everything behind to join in the fiesta of the
year. All shyness are dropped: boring everyday clothes are
exchanged for "Ati" warrior costumes and black body paint.
Shields and "weapons" are held amidst the pounding rhythm of
drums, the costumed Ilonggos put their best feet forward in
celebration of Dinagyang!
PANAGBENGA
Baguio City
Fourth Week
It's flower season in the city of Pines - perfect timing for an all-
out fiesta in the streets. The Baguio folk take a break on these
days to revel in the cool climate and the unique culture of the city.
Multi-hued costumes are worn, mimicking the various blooms of
the highland region (or any of its 11 ethnic tribes). These are
flowerbeds - masked, of course, as the Panagbenga parade floats.
SIBUG - SIBUG FESTIVAL
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
February 17 to 26
Sibug – Sibug Festival is celebrated during their foundation day
on the province of Sibugay on February 26, with colorful Ethnic
Street dancing with rituals illustrating good harvest, wedding and
healing rituals. During the festival, it endorses it’s number one
product which is the oyster or talaba in tagalong which has been
known to be the biggest, juiciest, and meatiest oysters in the
country.
CUTUD LENTEN RITES
San Fernando, Pampanga
16-18 April
Prayer of a different meaning during the Lenten season, when
villagers of San Pedro, Cutud, engage in the act of self-
flagellation. This ancient ritual is executed in the morning of
Good Friday during the Holy Week. Backs, arms, and legs are cut
and then struck with burillo beats. The climax to this occasion
happens at midday, when penitents are literally nailed to their
waiting crosses.
PAHIYAS/MAYON/AGAWAN
Quezon
11-15 May
Flowers come out in May, but these aren't the only things
displayed during this merry month. Down south in the town of
Lucban, Quezon, there's also the kiping - a colorful, transparent
rice tortilla that serves as an edible ornament of sorts. You will
see lots of these at the Pahiyas Festival, an annual celebration
held to accompany in a bountiful harvest, and smashing good
times.
It's a free-for-all, grab-all-you-can affair with suman-sweet, sticky
native rice cakes-as the center of contention. It is also the grand
prize, so feel free to join the battle. Rest assured, whether you get
handfuls or just a plain mouthful, the Mayohan sa Tayabas will
leave you wanting for more - suman, of course!
Sariaya's own version of the San Isidro festival showcases the
creativity and ingenuity of the townsfolk in their craft and
culinary tradition.
SANDUGO FESTIVAL
Tagbilaran City
1-2 July
The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-
sealed peace treaty on the shores of Bohol. This historic event is
considered today with an all-out fiesta at the island's capital city.
Check out the Sandugo street dancing parade featuring ten
colorfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. There's
also a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and
Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant, among the dozen of other
exciting activities.
MORIONES
Marinduque
Easter Sunday
The island of Marinduque prides itself in being the "Lenten
Capital of the Philippines", and it is easy to understand why.
Come the seven days of Holy Week, the people of the island take
part in the age-old ritual of the "Moriones". Colorful warrior
costumes are worn topped with finely carved masks portraying
the violent Roman soldiers of Christ's time. All these are done to
show the story of the conversion of Longuinus, the centurion who
stabbed Jesus' side - and his subsequent beheading
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The Itik-Itik
The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the
way a duck walks, as well as the way it splashes water on its back
to attract a mate. According to popular tradition, the dance was
created by a lady named Kanang who choreographed the steps
while dancing at a baptismal party. The other guests copied her
movements, and everyone liked the dance so much that it has
been passed along ever since.
The Tinikling
The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines'
national dance. The dance's movements imitate the movement of
the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass and between
tree branches. People perform the dance using bamboo poles. The
dance is composed of three basic steps which include singles,
doubles and hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope, except
that the dancers perform the steps around and between the
bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster until someone makes
a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn.
The men of the dance wear coconut shells as part of their
costumes, and they slap them in rhythm with the music. The
Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta
of Biñan as an offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint
of farmers.
The Kuratsa
The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often
performed at weddings and other social occasions. The dance has
three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In the second part,
the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around
the dance floor in a chase. To finish, the music becomes even
faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance.
The Cariñosa
The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting! Dancers make a
number of flirtatious movements as they hide behind fans or
handkerchiefs and peek out at one another. The essence of the
dance is the courtship between two sweethearts.
The Singkil
The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by single women
to attract the attention of potential suitors. Dancers perform a
series of graceful movements as they step in and out from
between bamboo poles which are rhythmically clapped together.
Fans and scarves are often used to enhance the dancers'
movements.
The Polkabal
The Polkabal shows some European influence in its steps. The
dance is composed of nine different steps which include various
movements such as fluttering, stepping heel-to-toe, a reenactment
of a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.

The Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench.
Dancers need good balance as they go through a series of
movements that include some impressive acrobatics. This dance
traces its roots back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen and
Pangasinan.

The Binasuan
The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at
festive social occasions like weddings and birthdays. Dancers
carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their
heads and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground.
The dance originated in Bayambang in the Pangasinan province,
and though it's usually performed alone, it can also become a
competition between several dancers.

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the
Pandanggo is performed while balancing three oil lamps - one on
the head, and one in each hand. It's a lively dance that originated
on Lubang Island. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually
accompanied by castanets.

The Maglalatik
The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over
coconut meat, a highly-prized food. The dance is broken into four
parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling.