Famous Festivals in the Philippines and its Basic Steps
Festival Month Held Location Purpose and Definition
Sinulog Cebu - Honors Sto. Niño
- Characterized by long
parades of people
performing the sinulog
dance.
- Use the chant “Pit
Señor! Señor Sto. Niño!
Ati-Atihan Kalibo, Aklan - Honors Sto. Niño
- It derived its name from
the word Atis, the
aboriginal Negritos in the
area.
- This involves smearing
January
oneself with soot to
darken the skin and
dressing up in tribal finery.
Dinagyang Iloilo - Honors Sto. Niño
- The essence as a
cultural festival is the
portrayal and depiction of
the way of life of the
Ilonggo aborigines which
goes beyond the mere
use of the bow, arrow,
spear and shield as the
main symbolism of their
culture.
Steps
- Natural Step: Move
two steps forward then
one step backward.
- Kinampilan: Step right
foot forward then one
step backward, while
keeping the left foot in
place.
- Single-forward
- Step-tap sequence
- Very fast in tempo, the
dancers move their feet
in a rapid motion while
moving from place to
place.
- They make use of their
hands to depict
something, but also their
hands move fast with
the tempo itself.
 Festival Month Held Location Purpose and Definition Steps
Panagbenga February Baguio - The term “Panagbenga” - Their dance steps
comes from a Kankanaey were inspired by the
term meaning “season of Bendian, an Ibaloi
blooming”. dance that came from
- This festival reflects the the Cordillera region.
history, traditions and - Has circular movement
values of Baguio and the - Natural step
Cordilleras.
- It is also created as a
tribute to the city's flowers
and as a way to rise up
from the devastation of
the 1990 Luzon
earthquake.
Masskara October Bacolod, Negros Occidental - People celebrate the - Side step/hop step
MassKara Festival - Head up and down,
by wearing smiling-faced then sideward and
masks, colorful costumes, forward, lastly upward
and unique accessories,
while parading and
dancing on the streets of
Bacolod.
- This festival contains a
message about being
happy despite being in the
toughest state of life.