The Philippines Best Festivals to See and Experience! – TOP TEN FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES

TOP TEN FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES
The Philippines Best Festivals to See and Experience!
The Philippines is full of history, legend and folklore. It has various cultures distinct for each region and these cultures are the pride of the Filipino people. The uniqueness of the cultures is fundamental to the Filipino festivals. The Philippine festivals are the ties that bind all the islands together making it whole. The most interesting fact about the festivals in the Philippines is the people’s relentless efforts to make it happen despite whatever circumstances the country is in. Rain or shine, the festival ‘must’ and ‘has’ to go on. It’s a good thing that the Philippines had preserved wonderful festivals over the years.

Festivals in the Philippines come in different kind, some are held in commemoration of a patron saint, others are a tribute honoring a victory over a battle that was honorably fought, or a simple thanksgiving to honor something abundant in a particular province. Americans, Spaniards and other races are responsible for a number of powerful events in the Philippines that are worth remembering. But no matter what kind of festival a region has, one thing is certain, it’s absolutely a colorful one with all the pomp and pageantry with revelers whose goal is to experience a day away from the hustle and bustle of the city life and just be merry!

Among the festivals in the Philippines, the following festivals are the major ones.. Listed in no Particular order:

1. Sinulog Festival in Cebu – It is a 9-day event celebration with its highlight on the last day where the popular long Sinulog parade commences. Considered to be among the biggest and the grandest festivals in the country, Sinulog festival is a colorful and religious event traditionally held every year, particularly on the third Sunday of January to pay homage to the Holy Infant Jesus, most popularly called, the Sto. Nino.

2. Sandugo Festival in Bohol - Sandugo Festival is Boholano’s very own festival which is a commemoration of a historical event that had transpired in Tagbilaran City, the very heart of Bohol, in the year 1565 between a local leader Datu Sikatuna and a Spanish king conquistador Captain General Miguel de Legazpi. The festivity commences in the month of March each year. Boholanos that are overseas usually come home and gather together to take part in this event. Activities like several sports tournament and cockfighting make the festivity more interesting. The religious sector also has a major participation with its church services and fireworks add up to heighten the entertainment.

3. Ati-Atihan Festival in Aklan – The most anticipated event in Aklan and neighboring provinces is the Ati-Atihan. The festival happens every year, particularly every third Sunday of January. This traditional festival commemorates the feast of Sto. Nino. This event symbolizes a combination of several religious beliefs. Besides celebrating this event in honor of Sto. Nino, Ati Atihan also makes a representation of the tribal people as event participants wear costumes and transform themselves by painting their faces and whole body with black soot and colorful ornaments that go along with the motifs of the tribal people.

4. Panagbenga Festival in Baguio – This is Baguio’s grandest Flower Festival that honors the abundance of the beautiful flowers in Baguio city. Panagbenga festival enhances the essence of Baguio’s Igorot ethnic culture as presented for Baguio’s best features. The participants in the street dancing performance are dressed up in the form of flowers incorporating various blooms among its 11 ethnic tribes. This is inspired by the Cordilleran-based celebration of Ibaloi dance called the Bendian.

5. Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo - Just following the Sinulog and Ati-Atihan festivals, Dinagyang festival is held every 4th weekend of January in commemoration of the Christianization of the natives of Iloilo in honor of Sto. Nino. The events include the following: the Street dancing of the Atis, Street dancing of Kasadyahan, and the competition for Miss Dinagyang. As people of Iloilo worship the Santo Nino with dramatized offerings and prayers, drum beats can be heard across the streets, with people dancing in colorful ethnic costumes and shouting Viva Senor Santo Nino!

6. MassKara Festival in Bacolod – This is Bacolod’s very own festival that’s also called “A Festival of Smiles”. MassKara festival is celebrated to cheer up the Bacoleno following a crisis in the province’s primary crop, the sugar cane and a devastating collision of the vessel Don Juan that took at least 700 lives. Among the activities in the festival is a street dance competition where competitors don colorful masks and dance to the tune of Latin beats, boasting coordination and stamina. They also hold the MassKara Queen Beauty pageant, fairs, food festivals, sport and musical events, agricultural fairs, garden shows, and many other special events. Unlike other major festivals in the country, this festival has no grounds on any religious, historical, nor cultural event.

8. Pahiyas Festival in Lucban – Held every 15th of May, this festival is an event of the Lucban community in honor of San Isidro Labrador for good harvest. Kiping is a native delicacy of brightly colored rice dough in thin like wafers in Lucban and during the festival, front houses of the locality are decorated with it. After the festival, the kipings are processed to become chips. In the afternoon, a procession is held as the image of the patron saint is carried all over the town to bless the farmers of good harvest. Started in the 16th century, Pahiyas is simultaneously celebrated in Tayabas and Sariaya, both towns of Quezon Province.

9. Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban -This festival is a merry-making event that lasts for a whole month. Its highlights include: the Leyte Kasadyaan Festival of Festivals, the Pintados Festival Ritual Dance Presentation and the “Pagrayhak” Grand Parade. The most awaited part of the festival is the native street dance: dancers resembling the pintados fill the streets of the city, adorned with battle gear to mimic the warriors in the Pre-Spanish period, tattooed with brilliant colors. Accompanied by the sounds of native instruments the performers dance their way from the Balayuan Towers and going throughout the city.

10. Moriones Festival in Marinduque – Moriones Festival is a weeklong celebration that starts on Holy Monday and progresses until Easter Sunday. It is a reenactment that tells the story of Longinus who was blind in one eye and was able to see again during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. All Holy Week past occurrences are reenacted such as Pabasa (recitation of the Christís passion), Via Crusis and Santo Sepulcro.

SOURCE: http://www.philippinefiestas.com/

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