Top 10 Philippine Festivals
Philippines is the ultimate haven for festivities. There is no doubt that this country is the bastion of the most colorful, fantastic and blithesome festivals in the world! It only proves how rich our culture is and how our nation works hand in hand to preserve the tradition of our forefathers. Amidst the challenges that we face, the Filipino people continually thrive to show to the world what we are made of. Our various festivals are testaments as to how firm the foundation of our culture is.
On that note, Starmometer presents the top festivals in the Philippines:
1. SINULOG
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With the dazzling and flamboyant costumes displayed on its world-renowned parade; with the lively sound of drums, gongs and other numerous musical instruments that echoes in the city during the festivity; with the streets filled with enthusiastic dancing locals; truly, Sinulog is the best festival in the country! This festival devoted to Sto. Niño has a rich religious cultural history, which amplifies its beauty and significance. Sinulog happens every January. The traditional two steps forward and one step backward dancing routine of the devotees while chanting 'Pit Señor!' is a main attraction that tourists emulate during their annual visit! But more than anything else, the unity and hard work that the Cebuanos demonstrate in making this tradition historic every year, is what makes Sinulog truly astonishing!
2. PANAGBENGA
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February is the time of the year when Baguio is transformed into an enormous garden filled with various flowers which are being decorated everywhere! It's the season when people celebrate the blossoming of flowers; the season when Baguio is enveloped in exceptional floral designs - from attires, to booths, to floats. Panagbenga is undeniably a celebration of what nature can do in bringing the best out of a place. Additionally, it's a festivity which aims to restore the tradition of the indigenous people, while allowing the younger generation to discover such a rich culture embedded in the city’s history. More than the floral parades and the floral presentations, Panagbenga is a testimony to the ever blossoming culture of Baguio and its people.
3. KADAYAWAN
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Everything is good in the city of Davao! With the abundance of agricultural products in the region, it has become one of the top importers and exporters in the country, paving the way for income-generating endeavors for the Davaoeños! And to celebrate such bountiful blessings that are continually pouring to this region in the Philippines is Kadayawan! This festival that happens on August celebrates anything that's good through a street dance competition where groups showcase various ethnic dances; through a parade of designed gigantic floats; and through various exhibits of the city’s agricultural products. It is also the time of the year when indigenous people are hailed for their contribution in the community! Kadayawan is a way to recognize the many tribes whom have enriced the heritage and culture of this bountiful city for many years!
4. MASSKARA
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The people of Bacolod certainly know how to smile it off all the way! Every October, in the city of smiles, Masskara festival is being celebrated! This festivity showcases the most beautiful and the most vibrant masks worn by the locals while dancing on a street parade! You can't help but be pleased as to how colorful the masks and as to how it exudes joy and optimism! With sports events, concerts, carnivals and beauty pageant, Masskara is a festivity that you will make you beam perpetually! Masskara is a great reminder to all of us that no matter how imperfect the world is there is always a reason to be jubilant!
5. HIGANTES
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Also known as the Feast of San Clemente (patron saint of the fishermen), this festival is as gigantic as it gets! Alongside a procession in honor of the patron saint, is also a parade of the Higantes (gigantic paper mache')! During the festivity, the men in Angono also wear colorful fishermen clothing while carrying boat paddles and walking on wooden shoes. It's the perfect execution of their love for their patron saint! During procession, numerous participants of Higantes splash water from bottles, pail, drinking glasses, etc. to passersby. Higantes is a celebration of prosperity and bliss that’s continually pouring over the people of Anggono.
Here are the other top festivals in the Philippines…
6. ATI-ATIHAN
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Every January, Ati-Atihan is being celebrated in honor of Sto. Niño. The locals of Aklan organize parade and street dances and paint their bodies black. As they navigate around town, they dance to a distinct beat while chanting 'Hala bira!'.
7. OBANDO FERTILITY RITES
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A festival held in honor of San Pascual Baylon (St. Paschal), Santa Clara (St. Clare) and Nuestra Señora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao), childless couples dance on the streets of Obando, Bulacan to ask for children and good fortune. They wear traditional costumes while dancing to the tune of bamboo-produced tunes and chanting a song titled ‘Santa Clara Pinong-Pino’.
8. DINAGYANG
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To honor Sto. Niño and to commemorate the arrival of the Malay settlers, the people of Iloilo City are dressed in the most colorful costumes and danced to the tune of drum beats every January for their festival called Dinagyang! The highlight of the festivity is the performance of various groups who represents the Ati tribe who paint their skin black and dressed in clothes out of native materials.
9. MORIONES
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During Holy Week, locals of Marinduque are dressed and masked as Roman soldiers and centurions. They reenact the journey of Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. The reenactment ends on his beheading. The festival is filled with colorful Roman attires, painted masks and vibrant colored robes.
10. METRO MANILA FILM FESTIVAL (MMFF)
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To strengthen the local movie industry, MMFF is being held beginning the 25th of December ‘til the first week of January. It’s the season when only local movies are shown in the theaters - from fantasy to horror, from romantic comedy to drama. It’s the time of the year when Filipinos learn to appreciate more our home-produced movies which stars our home-grown talents. It’s this time of the year also when Filipino movies score big in the box-office!
By Kristhoff Cagape
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