Dantruong Travel & Tourism

Philippine Fiestas
Feast Days for the Whole Community Day Celebration for the Whole Community

Fiestas in the Philippines are held to celebrate a patron saint (the Philippines is the only majority-Christian country in Southeast Asia) or to mark the passage of the seasons, depending on which part of the country you’re in. The sole exception is Christmas, where the whole country breaks out in celebrations that can begin long before December. Fiestas in the Philippines was held to celebrate the patron saint (the Philippines is the only majority-Christian countries in Southeast Asia) or to mark the passing of the seasons, depending on what part of the country you are in. The only exception is Christmas, in which the entire country erupted in celebration that can be started well before December.

The Roots of Philippine fiestas go back even further – back to before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 1500s. Philippine fiestas roots go back even further – back to before the Spanish conquistadores arrived in the 1500s. In the old animistic culture, regular ritual offerings were made to placate the gods, and these offerings evolved into the fiestas we know today. In the old animistic cultures, ritual offerings usually done to calm the gods, and this offer fiestas evolved into what we know today. A wonderful fiesta season means good luck for the rest of the year. A wonderful party season means good luck throughout the year.

For individual Filipinos, fiestas can be a way of supplicating the heavens or to make amends for past wrongs. For each of the Philippines, fiestas can be a way to invoke the sky or make atone for past mistakes. In one place, Lash penitents themselves with whips; in another, childless women dance on The Streets hoping for the blessing of a child. In one place, penitents whipped themselves with whips; on the other, have a girl dancing in the streets hoping for the blessing of a child.

Every town and city in the Philippines has a fiesta of its own; whatever time of the year it is, there’s sure to be a fiesta going on somewhere! Every city and town in the Philippines have their own fiesta; nothing during the year, there will certainly be a party going on somewhere!

Feast of the Black Nazarene Feast of the Black Nazarene
Quiapo, Manila Quiapo, Manila
January 9 January 9

The Black Nazarene is an antique hand-carved statue of Jesus Christ, which is brought out to The Streets of Manila’s Quiapo district to lead a huge procession of thousands of barefoot penitents, all around the rolling Massing statue yelling “Viva Señor!” The Black Nazarene is an antique hand carved statue of Jesus Christ, who brought out into the streets of Quiapo district of Manila to lead a large procession of thousands of barefoot penitents, all gathered around a statue of a revolving shout “Viva Señor!”

Penitents believe that touching the statue will grant one a miracle in one’s life; stories have been heard of diseases Healed and personal problems solved Blackened after touching the statue. Sinner believe that touching the statue will provide a miracle in someone’s life; story has been heard about heal diseases and personal problems solved after touching the statue turned black.

The carving is black, legend says, because the ship that brought it caught fire along the way; despite its charred state, it is a prized icons for Manila’s faithful. Carving is black, legend says, because the ship that took him on fire along the road; regardless of the situation sunk, it is a valuable icon for Manila faithful.

Atihan Festival Ati-Ati-Atihan Festival
Kalibo, Aklan Kalibo, Aklan
January 13-19 13-19 Januari

The Ati-Atihan Festival honors the “Santo Niño”, or Christ Child, but Draws its roots from much older traditions. The Ati-Atihan Festival respect “Santo Niño”, or Christ Child, but pulled the roots of traditions much older. Festival participants wear Blackface and tribal clothing to imitate the Aboriginal “Ati” tribespeople who welcomed a group of Malay datus fleeing Borneo in the 13th century. Participants Blackface festivals and tribal dress to imitate the original “Ati” tribespeople who welcomed a group of malay datus fled Borneo in the 13th century.

The festival has evolved to become a Mardi Gras-like explosion of activity – three days of parades and general merrymaking that culminate in a large procession. Festival has evolved into a Mardi Gras-like explosion of activity – three days of parades and general revelry that ends in a big procession. Novena Masses for the Christ Child give way to The Streets drumbeats and throbbing with dancing townsfolk. Novena masses for the Baby Jesus give way to the streets pulsed with drumbeats and dancing townsfolk.

On the last day, different “tribes” played by townsfolk in Blackface and elaborate costumes take to The Streets, competing for prize money and year-long glory. On the last day, the various “tribes” who played by the citizens in Blackface and elaborate costumes took to the streets, competing for prize money and glory for one year. The festival ends with a masquerade ball. Festival ends with the ball incognito.

Other festivals in the Philippines, like the Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang in Iloilo, are directly inspired by the Ati-Atihan. Other festivals in the Philippines, such as the Sinulog in Cebu and the Dinagyang in Iloilo, directly inspired by the Ati-Atihan.

Sinulog Festival Sinulog Festival
Cebu City Cebu City
January 18-19 18-19 Januari

Like the Ati-atihan, the Sinulog Festival is another Catholic festival honoring the Christ Child (Santo Niño), with deeper pagan roots. Like Ati-atihan, the Sinulog Festival is a festival of another Catholic honor Christ Child (Santo Niño), with pagan roots deeper. The feast Draws its origin from an image of the Santo Niño gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to the recently-baptized queen of Cebu. The party took origin from an image of the Santo Niño gifted by Ferdinand Magellan to the newly-baptized the queen of Cebu. The image was re-discovered by a Spanish soldier Amidst the ashes of a burning settlement. The picture was re-discovered by a Spanish soldier in the middle of a burning ash solution.

The feast begins with an early morning fluvial procession marking the arrival of the Spaniards and Catholicism. The party begins with the morning fluvial procession marks the arrival of the Spanish and Catholic. The procession follows after a Mass.; “Sinulog” refers to the dance performed by the participants in the big procession – two steps forward, one step back, it’s said to resemble the movements of the river current. The procession follows after the Mass; “Sinulog” refers to the dance performed by a large procession participants – two steps forward, one step back, say like stream movement.

Participants dance to the beat of drums, shouting “Pit Señor! Viva Sto. Niño!” Participants dance to the beat of drums, shouting “Pit Señor! Viva Sto. Niño!” as they move along the procession. as they move along the procession.

Moriones Festival Moriones Festival
Marinduque Marinduque
April 6-12 (2009; moveable feast) April 6-12 (2009; moveable feast)

The province of Marinduque celebrates Lent with a colorful festival, commemorating the Roman soldiers who helped crucify Christ. Marinduque Province of Lent celebrated with a colorful festival commemorating the Roman soldier who helped to crucify Christ. The celebrations begin on Holy Thursday, and end on Easter Sunday. Holy celebration begins on Monday, and ends on Easter Sunday.

Townsfolk wear masks patterned after Roman soldiers, taking part in a masquerade dramatizing the search for a Roman centurion who converted after Christ’s blood Healed his blind eye. City residents wear masks patterned after the Roman army, took part in the dramatic posing for a Roman officer who converted after the blood of Christ healing a blind eye.

The festivities coincide with the reading and dramatization of the Passion of Christ, re-enacted in different Towns throughout Marinduque. Coinciding with the celebration of reading and dramatization of the Passion of Christ, applied again in different cities throughout Marinduque. Penitents can be seen whipping themselves in Atonement for this year’s sins. Sinners can be seen whipping himself in atonement for the sins of this year.

Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival) Panagbenga (Baguio Flower Festival)
Baguio City Baguio City
February 1-March 8 (2009) February 1 to March 8 (2009)

The mountain city of Baguio celebrates its flower season with – what else? Mountain town of Baguio celebrates spring with – what else? – A flower fiesta! – Flowers fiesta! Every February, the city holds a parade with floral floats, tribal festivities, and street parties, with the scent of flowers creating a unique signature for this equally-unique celebration. Each February, the city holds a parade with a floating interest rate, interest parties, and street party, with the scent of flowers create a unique signature as this unique celebration.

The word “panagbenga” is Kankana-ey for “blooming season”. The word “panagbenga” is Kankana-ey to “blossom season”. Baguio is the Philippines’ Foremost center for flowers, so it’s only appropriate that the city’s biggest festival centers around its chief export. Baguio Philippines is the ‘main center of interest, so that only appropriate that the largest city centers around the main festival of exports. Other festivities include a beauty Baguio Flower Pageant, concerts at the local SM Mall, and other exhibits sponsored by the local government and foreign sponsors. Other festivities include a beauty contest Baguio Flower, concerts in the local SM Mall, and exhibitions sponsored by the local government and foreign sponsors.

Lenten Rites Rites Maleldo bargaining Maleldo
San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga San Pedro Cutud, San Fernando, Pampanga
April 6-12 (2009; moveable feast) April 6-12 (2009; moveable feast)

Maleldo is best described as Extreme Lent: San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga celebrates what is perhaps the bloodiest Good Friday spectacle in the world, as penitents flagellate themselves with whips and burillo literally have themselves nailed to crosses. Maleldo best described as Extreme Lent: San Pedro Cutud village in Pampanga to celebrate what is perhaps the most bloody Friday spectacle in the world, as a sinner violates burillo themselves with whips and have literally nailed to the cross.

The tradition began in the 1960s, as Locals volunteered to have themselves Crucified to seek God’s forgiveness or blessings. The tradition began in the 1960s, as local residents volunteered to have himself crucified to seek God’s forgiveness or blessing. Many more followed, with hundreds making the “panata” (vow) over the years. Many more followed, with hundreds making “panata” (oath) for many years. Today, both men and women undergo the excruciating ritual. Today, both men and women undergo the ritual torture.