Name: ______________________________________ Grade & Section: _____________________

Subject: MUSIC 7 Teacher: __________________________ Score: _______________________

Lesson : Quarter 4 Week 5 LAS 1
Activity Title : The Philippine Festivals and Theatrical Forms
Learning Target : Explain the distinguish characteristics of representative Philippine festivals
Reference(s) : The 21st MAPEH in Action Worktext pp54-61, MELC
LAS Writer/s : Rainy Rose P. Fado, Joan S. Tiangan, Shairyl A. Abellana, Shella Mae F. Trojello
PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS
Ati-Atihan is a festival held every third Sunday of January in honor of the Sto. Niño that is originated
in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan. It shows the Ati of the Negrito in the island who have black and
curly hair. This festival showcases tribal dances and music with indigenous musical instruments that
make the festival more attractive. “Hala Bira!” is the shout associated with Ati-Atihan festival. Most
Filipinos know this shout, but it did not originate here. The festival recalls how the Moro raiders attacked
Panay. The Moros used the term “Hala bira!” that means “Hit the invaders!” The black color on their
faces symbolizes the gunpowder used in the battle where they looked like the black Ati. The natives of
the place believe that their patron, the Sto. Niño, saved the locals from the Moros. It is said that the
procession of the Sto. Niño is the climax of the fiesta.
Kadayawan Festival is Davao City’s celebration of good harvest. It is a yearly festivity held in Davao
City during the third week of August. It is the time of the year when the Davaoeños celebrate good life
and bountiful harvest. It is a symbol of their thanksgiving for the gift of nature as shown in the city’s
bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables. It also showcases the rich cultural heritage not just of the
Davao region’s Lumads or ethnic groups but also of Mindanao’s ethnic groups that make up the rich
cultural heritage of the island.
Moriones Festival is an annual and colorful festivity during Holy Week at the island of Marinduque.
These are men and women in costumes and with masks replicating the garb of biblical Roman soldiers
as interpreted by local folks. This inspired the creation of other festival in the Philippines where different
cultural practices or folk’s history is turned into street festivals. Morion means “mask” or “visor” a part
of the medieval Roman armor that covers the face. It refers to the masked and costumed penitents who
march around town for seven days searching for Longinus.
Sinulog Festival is a yearly celebration every third Sunday of January in Cebu City where Sto. Niño is
the center of the festivity. Sinulog came from the Cebuano word “sulog” which means “like water current
movement” that describes the forward and backward step of the Sinulog dance. People dance
gracefully to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and gongs. This festival dramatized the arrival of the
Spaniards and the presentation of the Sto. Niño to the Queen. The devotion of the Sto. Niño has grown
and taken root in Philippines, mostly in Visayas; pilgrims from different parts of Cebu and the rest of
the Philippines make their yearly journey to the church to take part in the procession and festival.
Ibalong Festival is celebrated in Legazpi City, Albay. The Ibalong Festival celebrates the epic story of
the town of Ibalong with three legendary heroes, namely: Baltog, Handyong, Bantong, and other ancient
heroes. It aims to express warmth and goodwill to all people. It is also a celebration of the people’s
resiliency, given the calamities that usually befall the region.
Sublian Festival has been a celebration in Batangas since July 23, 198. Its objective is to renew the
practice of subli which derived from two Tagalog words “subsub” and “bali”. It is a ceremonial worship
dance performance in homage to the Holy Cross referred to in the vernacular as “Mahal na Poong
Santa Cruz”. In the town of Alitagtag, the Holy Cross image was found during the Spanish Era. This
festival is highlighted with flower and song offerings and performed with the accompaniment of a
kalatong or tugtugan, a dried hollow wood and covered by skin of forest lizard. Two pieces of wood are
used to strike this instrument that produces sound.
Music has a big part in celebrating the different festivals in the Philippines. It adds beauty to the colorful
costumes and designs of the festival. It is one of the things that complete the performance of each
festival, where visitors and participants can move to the music and join the festival. Music in the
Philippine festivals are sometimes slow, fast, and moderate in tempo that develops the body to move
and make some dance movements.
ACTIVITY
In your answer sheet, explain the distinguish characteristics of representative Philippine festivals.
(5 points each)

1. Ati-Atihan
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2. Kadawayan
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3. Moriones
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4. Sinulog
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5. Ibalong
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6. Sublian
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