FEASTS & FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES

FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE January 9th - Quiapo, ManilaA grand Fiesta, this festivalcenters on the image of the Black Nazarene which was transported by galleon from Mexico to Manila in the 17th century. The festival is marked by an afternoon procession by thousands of devotees.

ATI-ATIHAN January 16-22 - Kalibo, AklanOne of the most popular of the Philippine festivals, the Ati-atihan is a celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño. Revelers don colorful costumes and paint their bodies black and dance to the distictive beat of "Hala bira!" around the town.
PASUNGAYEvery 2nd Saturday of January - San Joaquin, IloiloA festival of bulls on the hillsides of San Joaquin. Prized bulls from the town and neighboring areas fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.

SINULOG Every third weekend of January - Cebu City, CebuThe Feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated in Cebu with a procession, street dancing competition and a fluvial parade. Much like the Ati-atihan, the Sinulog Festival is marked by frenzied reverly to the chant of "Pit Senor!"

DINAGYANG Every fourth weekend of January - Iloilo City, IloiloSpectacle characterized by a frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night.

ZAMBULAWAN Every third Sunday of January - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del SurThe founding of Pagadian City showcases the Subanon tribe's rich cultural heritage by way of songs, dances and exhibits of musical instruments.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES February 2 - Jara, Iloilo CityThe biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas. The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her court which highlights the celebration.

PARAW REGATTA First Sunday of March - Iloilo CityAn exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. This is an activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and kibitzers.

EID-EL-FITR March 9 - Region XIIA worldwide Muslim festival celebrating the end of the month-long fasting period of the Holy Month of Ramadam by the Muslims.

VIA CRUSIS April 1 - Cebu CityA lenten activity where devotees from Cebu City and its neighboring cities and towns do their penitential procession through cities the Station of the Cross built on 12 hectares of rolling hills. the life-size statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross have been patterned after the Way of the Cross in Lourdes, France.

PAK'KAAT KALLO Holy Week - Magpet, CotabatoAn anuual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration of a bountiful harvest.

MORIONES FESTIVAL Holy Week - Boac,Magpoc, MarinduqueOne of the most famous of Philippine festivals. Colorfully garbed and masked as Roman soldiers and centurions, locals reenact the life of Longinus culminating in his beheading. The entire towns of Boac, Morpog and Gasan are virtually converted into huge stages as the story as Longinus unfolds.

TURUMBA Good Friday - Pakil, LagunaA procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the streets, procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.

ANG PAGTALTAL SA GUIMARAS Good Friday - Jordan, GuimarasLenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan with locals as actors. This ala-Oberrammergou event has been attracting hundreds of foreign and domestic tourists: Local devotees' visit usually culminates in the trek to "Balaan Bukid" or Holy Mountain where a huge cross is planted by the chapel overlooking Guimaras Strait and Iloilo City.

LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL 2nd or 3rd Week of april - Lamitan, BasilanA yearly festival coinciding with the founding of Lamitan Municipality; showcases the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances, and traditional crafts.

MANAOAG PILGRIMAGE 2nd Week of April - PangasinanAnnual pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Manaoag. Known to local pilgrims / tourists as miraculous, the Virgin's image has become one of Manaoag's main attractions. Pilgrims' vehicles are blessed every Saturday.

PISTA'Y DAYAT May 1 - Lingayen, PangasinanA day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed all over Pangasinan traditional with mass offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial parade.

SANTACRUZAN May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - NationwideThe Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena's finding the "True Cross"; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On the ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a little boy representing King Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated arches.

CARABAO FESTIVAL May 14 - Angono, RizalFarmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao carts bearing a myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to the strongest and most beautifully decorated carabaos.

PULILAN CARABAO May 14 - Pulilan, BulacanHundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by theis farmer-owners on the street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down homage to San Isidro de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.

PAHIYAS SA QUEZON May 15 - Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, QuezonHomes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped rice kropeck) and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession and other activities.

OBANDO FERTILITY RITES May 17 to 19 - Obando, BulacanA three day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta. Clara and Nuestra Senora de Salambao. Childless couples, thankful parents, grateful farmers and fishermen dance along the streets together with colorfully customed women to pray for children and a good harvest.

TAPUSAN SA KAWIT May 30 - Kawit, CaviteA procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime honors the Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town's most beautiful young ladies symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.

ANTIPOLO PILGRIMAGE May - Antipolo, RizalA month-long celebration that brings devotees and pilgrims to venerate the Lady of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in Antipolo Church and afterwards, picnic to nearby Hinulugang Taktak.

INDEPENDENCE DAY June 12 - Kawit, CaviteIndependence Day Celebration, marked by a flag raising ceremony on the balcony of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where the first Philippine flag was unfurled.

PARADA NG LECHON June 24 - Balayan, BatangasThe parading on the Feast of St. John the Baptist of "dressed" and decorated "lechons" (roasted pigs) around town. Revelers partake of the lechons after the parade.

PINTADOS FESTIVAL June 29 - Tacloban CityStreet pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños' old custom of tattooing that signifies courage and status in the community.

PAAWAY SA KABAYO (Horsefight) July 25 and December 25 - Tanjay, Negros OrrientalAn exciting, thrilling and oftentimes bloody fight among studs for supremacy over a female horse. More than 100 horses have been trained solely for this twice a year event.

BOCAUE RIVER FESTIVAL First Sunday of July - Bocaue, BulacanA famous river festival held in honor of the miraculous Cross of Bocaue (Krus ng Wawa). During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the "pagoda" and douse each other with water.

RAJAH BAGUINDA FESTIVAL 2nd Week of August - Jolo, SuluA three-day cultural show and festivites commemorating the arrival of Rajah Baguinda who was responsible for the spread of Islam and reinforcing the Sultanate Government in the Sulu Archipelago.

KADAYAWAN SA DABAW 3rd Week of August - Davao CityA celebration of the bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids during the season. Activities include fruit and flower show, trade fair, tribal/civic/military parade, traditional sports activities, horsefight, Search for B'yaneng Kadayawan and street dancing.

LEMLUNAY (T'BOLI TRIBAL FESTIVAL) Septermber 16-18 - Lake Sebu, South CotabatoAn annual authentic T'boli tribal festival staged at Lake Sebu. Features tribal rituals that start at early down amidst sounds of gongs and native music, culminating at the town plaza where cultural dances and ethic sports like horsefight are held.

FEAST OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA, 3rd Saturday of September - Naga City, Camarines SurA religious festival held in hornor of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Bicol's most revered patrones highlighted by the fluvial procession of the Lady's image down the Bicol river. The week-long-celebration includes civic-military parade, sportsfests, exhibits, cultural shows, beauty pageants and colorful competitions.

MASSKARA FESTIVAL October 19 - Bacolod City, Negros OccidentalThe biggest annual event that reflects the Bacoleños love for fun and gaiety. Coinciding with Bacolod City's charter day celebration, the festival features sports competitions, cultural programs, carnivals, beauty contest and a long Mardi grasstyle costumed and masked street dancers.

IBALONG FESTIVAL October 19-22 - Legaspi CityA celebration depicting Bicol's early beginnings as portrayed in the "Ibalong" epic that tells of super heroes Handiong, Batlog and Oryol and villains and wild animals that roamed in the ancient times. In music and dances, revelers parade on the main streets wearing masks of these heroes and villains. Festival activities include tours, trade fairs, exhibits and beauty pageants.

LA NAVAL DE MANILA 2nd Sunday of October - Sto. Domingo, Quezon CityA festival revolving around the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval carved in 1533 and given as a gift to the Dominican Fathers. Borne on an elaborately decorated and well-lit carriage in the form of a ship, the venerated image is brought out of the church preceded by a dozen or so images of Dominican saints. The procession goes around the main streets of Sto. Domingo parish and then returns to the church amidst applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.

FEAST OF SAN CLEMENTE / HIGANTES FESTIVAL November 22-23 - Angono, RizalAngono's joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent in papal vestment, is borne by male devotees during a procession accompanied by "pahadores (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden shoes and carrying boat paddles) and higantes" (giant paper mache effigies) The street event culminates in a fluvial procession in Laguna de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back to its sanctuary.

GRAND CORDILLERA FESTIVAL November - Baguio CityOne of the region's major events held annualy featuring the gathering of tribes in a week-long event to "celebrate life" marked by tribal dancing and performances of thanksgiving rituals.

MARIAN PROCESSION December 8 - Intramuros, ManilaA revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from various parishes and provinces paraded.
PAGDIDIWATADecember 8 - Puerto Princessa, PalawanA thanks giving celebration by the Tagbanua natives of Palawan in ritual dances and food offerings to their deities and souls of departed kin.

FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION December 8 - Intramuros, ManilaAn Eucharistic celebrabration of the Feast Day of the La Immaculada, patroness of Intramuros, capped by a grand procession of more than 50 Marian images from all over the country and participated in by thousands of devotees.

BIKOL PASTORES December 18 - Legazpi City, AlbayA unique Christmas celebration believed to have originated in the province where "pastores" - young men and women dressed in colorful shepherd costumes - joyfully dance and sing "Pastores a Belen" through the city streets.

SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL December - Ermita, ManilaA fiesta in honor of one of the oldest Marian images in the country (it was found by Legazpi's soldiers amidst the foliage of a pandan shrub on the shores of Ermita in 1571) - the La Nuestra Señora de Guia, patroness of seafarers and also known as Our Lady of Expectations. The main event of the fiesta is the Bota de Flores, a reenactment of a select group of young ladies and their escorts in sailor costumes of the procession returning the La Nuestra Señora de Guia to its reconstructed shrine in 1918.

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL December 28-30 - San Jose, AntiqueA festive commemoration of an episode in the history of the Filipino race through colorful pageants acted on the beaches of Maybato in San Jose and Malandog in Hamtik. Particularly interesting is the drama of the first Malay settlement at malandog which runs for several days and nights. Binirayan is also an occasion of reunion with families, relatives and friends of homecoming Antiqueno expatriates.