Religious Festivals created from two words: mass, meaning crowd, and the
Various festivals are celebrated in the Philippines Spanish word cara, meaning face. Thus, the term can refer
all throughout the year. Most of these festivals are
religious in nature and are celebrated in honor of a
particular saint or to commemorate a holy event.
Pahiyas Festival- Lucban, Quezon
The Pahiyas Festival is an annual celebration held
every 15th of May in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the
patron saint of farmers in the Philippines. Pahiyas
showcase houses adorned with fruits, vegetables,
agricultural products, handicrafts, and kiping. Kiping is a
decoration made from rice flour and can be grilled or
fried afterward for eating.
Sayaw sa Obando - Obando, Bulacan
The famous Sayaw sa Obando is a ritual done
annually which is celebrated in May to honor three
patron saints—San Pascual Baylon, the model of religious
virtue; Santa Clara, the saint to whom married women
pray to bear children and single women pray to request
for a mate; and Nuestra Senora de Salambao to whom
fisherman and farmers pray for a good harvest.
Ati-atihan Festival - Kalibo, Aklan
The The Ati-atihan Festival is called "Mother of all
Filipino festivals. It is a two-week celebration held in
January. The festival is celebrated in honor of the Sto.
Niño, who the indigenous Ati believe is the one who
saved them from the Moros.
Sinulog Festival - Cebu
Cebu's Sinulog Festival is the most important festival in
the Philippines because it commemorates the acceptance
of Catholicism and the triumph of Christianity over
secular religions. It is held annually on the third Sunday
of January.
Nonreligious Festivals
Aside from the religious festivals celebrated in
various parts of the Philippines, there are also festivals
which are being held to celebrate special occasions and
other cultural events. These refer to nonreligious festivals
which often feature street parades and colorful costumes
worn by the dancers in these parades.
Panagbenga Festival – Baguio
The Panagbenga is a month-long annual
celebration. It expresses all the aspects of moral values,
traditions, and history of Baguio and Cordillera Region.
The festival features flower-decked floats and displays as
well as Ibaloi street dancing.
Masskara Festival – Bacolod
The MassKara Festival is an annual celebration held
during the third week of October. The term “Masskara” is
to both “mask” and “many faces.” The smiling mask,
which is the symbol of the fiesta, was conceived by the
organizers to show the resilience and persevering spirit of
the Negrenses.
Ibalong Festival
This festival is celebrated by the City of Legaspi, in
Albay during the second week of October. It recalls the
region's early beginnings. A special attraction is a
costume and mask parade representing Bicol’s ancient
heroes, such as Baltog, Handiong, and Bantong, as well as
the villains from their stories.
Other festivals in the Philippines:
 Moriones Festival – Marinduque (Holy Week)
 Dinagyang Festival – Iloilo (after sinulog)
 Santacruzan (Month of May)
 Kaamulan Festival – Bukidnon (Feb 2nd – mar 10th)
 Kadayawan Festival – Davao (3rd Week of Aug)
BICOL FESTIVALS:
 Feb 11 | Tinagba Festival | Iriga City
 Apr. 6-8 | Rodeo Festival | Masbate
 Apr. 26-28 | Baybayon Festival | Sañgay, Cam.
Sur
 Apr. 28-30 | Butanding Festival | Donsol,
Sorsogon
 May 1 | Boa-Boahan Festival | Nabua, Cam. Sur
 May 1-31 | Magayon Festival | Albay
 May 20-24 | Padayaw Festival | Virac,
Catanduanes
 May 21-27 | Kaogma Festival | Pili, Cam. Sur
 June 16-21 | Tabak Festival | Tabaco City
 June 20-29 | Pili Festival | Sorsogon City
 August | Ibalong Festival | Legazpi City
 3rd week of Sept. | Peñafrancia Festival | Naga
City
 Oct. 15-25 | Kasanggayahan Festival | Sorsogon
City
 Oct. 22-24 | Catandungan Festival | Virac
 Dec. | Kamundagan Festival | Naga City