LESSON 10: Philippine Festivals
Learning Activities
Introduction
I know all of us Filipinos love to have fun, and it is obvious in the way they celebrate fiestas or festivals. Fiestas or any
community celebration usually feature music, dancing, and food feasts, and they are considered special opportunities for
people to extend hospitality and friendship to one another.
The Philippines has so many festivals: there are town fiestas celebrating foundation days, patron saints and a combination
of both. These festivals are occasions when and where people converge, the same occasions when Government units and
the private sector become generous with funds. Fiestas become important avenues for artistic engagement. As artistic
ventures especially in the Philippine countryside are always wanting in venues and avenues for artistic engagement, it is in
these convergences that the artists find their audience.
The Philippine festival calendar is full. Every province, town and city celebrates foundation days, patronal fiestas and
historic celebrations. While it is a hodgepodge and flurry of sports and commercial activities, oftentimes culture and the
arts are the central motifs of the celebrations allowing artists to dare and engage in new projects. Depending on the local
expertise, these fiestas become the stage for local visual arts, music and dance festivals. Cosmopolitan centers feature
contemporary arts while others highlight traditions indigenous to the locale.
Ati-atihan
Kalibo, Aklan
When: Every third Sunday of January
Known as The Mother of All Philippine Festivals, the Ati-Atihan serves as the inspiration behind Cebu’s Sinulog and
IloIlo’s Dinagyang, among many other festivals in the country. While it is also in honor of the Santo Niño, its origins are
more pagan in nature, dating some 800 years ago. The festival’s name means ‘to be like the Atis’—the Aetas, the dark-
skinned indigenous people who are said to be the first settlers in the Philippines. Initially a celebration of unity between
the Aetas and Malay chieftains who fled Borneo to settle in the Panay Islands, the Spanish conquerors later on integrated
Catholicism into the festival.
At present, people who attend Ati-Atihan will encounter street dancers donning vibrant colorful costumes, contrasting
with blackened faces. The festival is also famed for snake dancing, in which people hold on to each other to weave
through the crowd in a snake-like fashion.
Sinulog
Cebu City
When: Every third Sunday of January
Sinulog Festival or Santo Nino Festival is an annual religious and cultural festival in Cebu. The festival is thought to be
the first of the most well-known festivals in the Philippines.
Sinulog comes from the Cebuano word “sulog” which means “like water current movement” which depicts the forward-
backward step of Sinulog dance.
Besides the religious part of the celebration, Sinulog is also well-known for its street parties before the day of celebration
and during the day of the festival.
Sinulog is held in celebration of one of the country’s most famous historic relics: the Santo Niño de Cebú. This was the
statue of the baby Jesus that was handed to the Rajah Humabon of Cebu by the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan
in 1521.
This was one of the most important events in the religious history of the Philippines as it paved the way to the birth of
Christianity in the country.
Dinagyang
Iloilo
When: Every fourth Sunday of January
The Dinagyang Festival, the name of which comes from the Ilonggo term ‘dagyang’ meaning ‘merrymaking’, is heavily
influenced by Sinulog and Ati-Atihan, and borrows elements from the two festivals. A little more modern than its
inspirations, Dinagyang began in the 1960s, when a replica of the Señor Santo Niño was first brought in from Cebu, much
to the devotion of the Ilonggos. The anniversary of this day became a yearly celebration, which eventually incorporated
dramatized interpretations of the Aetas’ welcome of the chieftains from Borneo.
Today, Dinagyang Festival has become popular in its own right as a religious and cultural celebration with three main
events: A fluvial procession that takes the Child Jesus from the Iloilo River to the San Jose Parish Church, a Kasadyahan
Festival noted for its street dancing contest, and the Ati-Atihan competition, where dancers with blackened faces also
perform traditional, interpretative dances.
Panagbenga
Baguio
When: February
Every February, the Summer Capital of the Philippines celebrates its annual flower festival, called the Panagbenga
Festival. From a Kankanaey term that means ‘season of blooming’ or ‘time for flowering’, Panagbenga is a tribute to
Baguio City’s vibrant and diverse flora. The festival’s origins go back to the 1990s, as a hopeful celebration of Baguio’s
rise and recovery following a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake that caused extensive damage to the city.
Kaamulan
Bukidnon
When: Every month of May
The word “Kaamulan” comes from the Binukid word “amul” which literally means “to gather”. It is a festival celebrated
annually by the Bukidnon people. During the festival, the seven tribes in Bukidnon namely the Bukidnon, Talaandig,
Tigwahanon, Manobo, Umayamnon, Matigsalog and Higaonon are gathered to celebrate diversity, culture, pride and
unity. Each tribe showcases their own tribal costumes, dances, and products.
Kaamulan is the dubbed as the only authentic ethnic festival celebrated in the whole Philippines wherein we celebrate the
richness of Bukidnon in terms of culture, ethnicity and language. Kaamulan promotes cultural preservation and
recognition for each tribe. Bukidnon is located in Mindanao, a place in the world that is used to be tagged as a dangerous
place. A place full of fear, chaos and hate wherein people used to throw prejudice and stereotype about the people in
Mindanao. Yet a beautiful and diverse culture inhabits here in the highlands at the heart of Mindanao.
Pamulinawen
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
When: Every first week of the February
The festival corresponds with the Feast Day of Saint William the Hermit, which is the city’s Patron Saint. It started from a
simple celebration of the Feast Day of Saint William, then it has grown into a more spectacular festival featuring the
culture and heritage of the city through a variety of social-civic activities, civic-military parade, a parade of floats, and its
centerpiece, the Street Dancing Competition. It includes the Dulang Food Festival, Calesa Festival, and Miss Laoag
Pamulinawen Festival Beauty Pageant, among others.
Araw ng Dabaw
Davao City
When: March 16
The Araw ng Dabaw is celebrated during the 16th day of March every year. This is a vibrant feast and celebration of the
unity of the Davaoeños. This is observed with a grand parade along the major roads of the city. It is also at this time that
the pageant “Mutya ng Dabaw” is held in order to crown the city’s Ambassadress of Goodwill. At this time, the local
people of Davao showcase their cultural talents through various shows, art exhibits, musical and culinary extravaganza,
sport events, street parties and gatherings, horticultural shows and more in lieu of the celebration.
This is a whole week’s celebration that is also filled with opportunities to shop at a bargain and find interesting “ukay-
ukay” or local flea markets all around the city. You may want to eat the famous fruits of the city at this time because most
of the time, it is in season. There is also the “Hudyakaan” a local outside dinning event with live bands and entertainment
from a number of artists. This outside dinning serves famous and hot off the grill variety of barbeque and more.
Furthermore, the Araw ng Dabaw celebration is one that is sought after by many of the locals and visitors alike.
Moriones
Marinduque
When: Every Holy Week, from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday.
Moriones is derived from the word “Morion” which means mask or visor hence, the mask in the Moriones Festival
costume. It is a part of the medieval Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the
masked and costumed men and women penitents who march around the town for seven days re-enacting the search for
Longinus.
The origin of Moriones Festival dates back to 1807 when the parish priest of Mogpog town, Father Dionisio Santiago,
organized it for the first time. The Moriones Festival tagalog is held every Holy Week, from Holy Monday to Easter
Sunday.
The penitents wear Moriones Festival costume composed of masks and costumes similar to those worn by the Roman
soldiers as a way of atonement for their sins committed or for other similar reasons. The penitents roam around the town
for the day throughout the week.
The Moriones Festival is a re-enactment of the biblical story of a Roman soldier whose one eye was blind named
Longinus.
Before the body of Jesus was taken down from the cross, Longinus thrusted a spear on His side and a drop of blood
spurted in the blind eye of Longinus, miraculously curing him of his blindness.
Longinus headed a group of soldiers detailed to guard the Holy Sepulcher where the body of Christ was buried. He
witnessed the Resurrection of Christ on the third day and rushed to spread the news to the scribes and Pharisees and
shouted around the town what he witnessed. Because of the information about Christ that he was spreading, the Chief
Priest ordered a manhunt to kill him. Longinus voluntarily surrendered but before he was beheaded, he told his captors
that the blood of Jesus cured his blind eye and bravely swore of Jesus’ Resurrection.
Magayon
Albay
When: Every month of May
This festival is held every month of May, Magayon Festival is derived from the popular legend of Mayon Volcano to
honor the province's bounty and beauty. One of the highlights of this event is the stage reenactment of the tragic love story
of Daragang Magayon and Panganoron whose fatal deaths gave birth to the volcano.
The reason for this celebration dates back to ancient days following the death of the love-struck woman, Daragang
Magayon. Folklore has it that the death of the beautiful woman resulted in the creation of the Mayon Volcano. The
floating clouds, the locals believe, are symbolic of the spirit of Daragang’s lover.
Little wonder the name of the festival, Magayon Festival, is actually derived from a local word that means ‘beautiful’.
During the celebrations, the streets come alive with the presence of diverse cultural events where the locals showcase their
traditional way of life.
The great thing about this festival is that it lasts for at least two weeks. It usually begins in the middle of February and
closes on the last day of the month. This means you have plenty of time to join in the festivities and meet the locals of the
Albay province.
Pahiyas
Lucban, Quezon
When: May 15
In honor of St. Isidore the Laborer, patron saint of farmers in the Philippines, the people of Lucban, Quezon celebrate the
Pahiyas Festival in the middle of the summer. It began as a simple celebration of thanksgiving back in the 15th century,
when farmers offered their harvests at the foot Mount Banahaw—a practice that carried on after the first Church was
established and saw natives offering their fresh farm produce to St. Isidore. Eventually, with the Church unable to
accommodate all the harvest, they were instead displayed at the homes of the farmers.
Today, the Pahiyas continues this tradition, with participants going beyond showcasing their harvests to also put up hats,
bags, fans, longganisa, and of course, kiping—colorful, leaf-shaped wafers made of rice dough.
Sanduguan
Calapan City, Misamis Oriental.
When: November 15
Sanduguan came from the Mangyan word "sandugo" which means brotherhood or being friends. A sandugo treaty is
called a blood compact because the participants each drink a small amount of the other’s blood. The blood compact
preserves the friendship between two people once different in religion, nationality, culture, and civilization. This was a
very traditional way to formalize treaties of friendship in the country.
This festival reenacts the first contact between the natives of Mindoro and traders from China.
This festival aims to revive an age-old Mangyan tradition that was already forgotten by the people of Misamis Oriental. It
festivity features agri-trade, historical parade, reenactment of the barter trading, and Indakan sa Sanduguan (a street
dancing competition).
The Sanduguan Festival has given the Mangyans a renewed appreciation of their history and traditions. The festival has
also become a joyous way to reunite all Mindorenyos in heart and mind. It gives fun and enjoyment to those who watch it
and gives knowledge to the new generation about our country's history. They will learn how the first barter trade
happened and and tell it to others so it will give them the idea that we, Filipinos, have a great and beautiful culture,
tradition, and history.
Kadayawan
Davao
When: Third week of August
With a name derived from the Dabawenyo friendly greeting, “Madayaw!” Davao City’s Kadayawan Festival is befittingly
a celebration of life. Like Pahiyas, it also started off as a thanksgiving ritual for bountiful harvest by the ethnic tribes
residing at the foot of Mount Apo. In the 1980s, it evolved into a government-initiated program to unite Davaoeños after
Martial Law, gradually becoming a full-fledged festival to celebrate life, heritage, and blessings.
Lively Kadayawan is full of activities, from the street performances at the Indak Indak sa Kadayawan to the float parade
of Pamulak sa Kadayawan, and all the trade fairs in between—Kadayawan is the time to indulge in the king of all fruits,
Durian.
Pavvurulun
Tuguegarao City
When: August 16
To mark the the Afi Festival, which is also the city’s 294th Patronal Fiesta this year —from August 8–16, Malacañang
declared Thursday (August 16) as a special non-working holiday in the City of Tuguegarao through Proclamation No. 550
that Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea signed.
In Ibanag, the word “Pavvurulun” means “togetherness” while “Afi” means “fire.” The city launched the Afi Festival in
2014 to celebrate the title of Tuguegarao as the hottest city in the country with highest temperature ever recorded in the
city reaching a scorching 42.2 degrees celsius on May 11, 1969.
Peñafrancia
Naga city, Bicol
When: Every third Saturday of September
The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol. The feast day
is preceded by a novena, nine days of prayer, in honor of the Virgin. On the first day, the image of the Virgin, a copy of
the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the Naga Cathedral where the novena is held. On the last
day, the image is returned to her shrine following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by
thousands of candles from devotees in boats escorting the image. When the barge reaches its destination, the devotees
shout "Viva la Virgen" (Long live the Virgin!) and the image is brought back in a procession to the cathedral.
According to locals, a Spanish government official from Peñafrancia, Spain, settled with his family in Cavite in 1712. One
day, his daughter fell ill and the family prayed for her recovery to the famous Madonna of Peñafrancia, a picture of whom
was in their possession. When the daughter recovered, the father vowed to build a chapel in honor of Our Lady of
Peñafrancia in Manila. However, since he was being detained in Nueva Caceras, he built the chapel in that city, now
known as Naga, instead.
The famous Madonna is believed to have miraculous powers. On her feast day, pilgrims gather at her shrine to pay her
homage for favors received.
Masskara
Bacolod
When: Fourth Sunday of October
Known as the City of Smiles, Bacolod demonstrates its resilience with its annual MassKara Festival. The festival started
out in a time of crisis in 1980 when the people of Bacolod, who relied on their sugar cane plantations, suffered from a
devastating drop in production and all-time low prices with the introduction of high fructose corn syrup as a sugar
substitute. That same year, more than 700 Negrenses lost their lives with the sinking of the MV Don Juan. Following
those tragic events, the local government decided to establish the MassKara Festival as a way to boost morale and liven up
the people’s spirits.
MassKara, a portmanteau derived from ‘mass’ (a multitude of people) and ‘cara’ (a Spanish word for face), is also a play
on the Filipino word maskara, which translates in English to mask—a defining feature of the festival. These masks, akin
to Mardi Gras fashion and worn by street dancers, are always painted with smiling faces to reflect Bacolod’s sobriquet.
