With 70 ethnic groups in the Philippines (Lakbay Pilipinas ), many different kinds of festivals and celebrations – both religious and secular – are held throughout the country. These festivals help to portray the cultural diversity, history and traditions of the Filipino people as well as their desire to share their culture with visitors.

“The fiesta is deeply ingrained in Filipino culture,” said Annie Cuevas, Director of the Philippine Department of Tourism in Los Angeles. “Timing one’s visit to coincide with a local celebration is a great way to add further excitement to a very special trip,” she added.

Following is a listing of the most popular 2008 festivals throughout the Philippines:

Ati-Atihan

Kalibo, Aklan

Jan. 18-20, 2008

Held in Kalibo, and one of the most colorful and lively events of the year, Ati-Atihan dates back to 1212 when persecuted Filipinos arrived in Panay and were welcomed by the native Atis. They then threw a huge celebration to thank the native Atis for the allotted land and hospitality. The tradition continues today with food, dance and song.

Sinulog
Cebu City
Jan. 11-20, 2008

Sinulog is a nine-day religious festival in honor of baby Jesus. The main celebrations take place over the third weekend in January with the big parade taking place on the final Sunday of that weekend. Sinulog, also the name of a pervasive, rhythmic beat known to infectiously inspire revelers to dance, includes nine days of parades, contests, beauty pageants and fireworks, culminating with the highly anticipated Grand Parade Carousel.

Dinagyang
Iloilo City
Jan. 26-27, 2008

The Dinagyang is Iloilo City’s biggest and most colorful religious and cultural festival. Traditionally it takes place on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. This celebration originated from the arrival of a replica of the original image of the Santo Nino de Cebuto to the city. The celebration includes Ati-Ati and Kasadyahan (both types of street dancing) and the Miss Dinagyang pageant.

Baguio Flower Festival
Panagbenga
Feb. 22-Mar. 2, 2008

This festival celebrates the blooming flower season in the Philippines. Celebrations consist of participants wearing multi-colored costumes resembling the many different flowers that bloom in the highland region (or any of its 11 ethnic tribes). Flowerbeds are then paraded through the city as floats in the Panagbenga parade.

Moriones Festival
Marinduque
March 17-23, 2008

Beginning on Holy Monday and ending on Easter Sunday, participants re-enact the event when Longinus, a blind Roman soldier, punctures Jesus with his spear and blood droplets from the wound restores Longinus’ sight.

Cutud Lenten Rites
San Fernando, Pampanga
March 21, 2008

The Lenten Rites is a controversial annual event where devotees re-enact Christ’s ordeal with the Way of the Cross through a real-life crucifixion.

Pahiyas Festival
Quezon
May 15, 2008

This annual celebration is held at the start of the harvest season to welcome a bountiful crop. The festival features “Suman” which are sticky rice cakes loved by all for their sweet taste.

Flores De Mayo
Nationwide
May 2008

Considered the queen of Filipino festivals, Flores de Mayo (Flowers of May) is celebrated in Metro Manila, as well as myriad provinces throughout the rest of the archipelago. Flores de Mayo is a colorful, month-long festival honoring the Virgin Mary. The festival culminates with the Santa Cruzan (Holy Cross) procession, a parade in honor of Reyna Helena (Queen Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine) featuring young Filipino women dressed in colorful costumes depicting biblical and historical figures.

Mudpack Festival
Murcia, Negros Occidental
June 21-22, 2008

Oneness with nature is the theme behind this annual mud-filled festival. Participants parade through the streets dancing and celebrating wearing almost nothing but mudpacks.

Pineapple Festival
Daet, Camarines Norte
June 1-30, 2008

The Pineapple Festival features a colorful street presentation complemented by art exhibits, fairs, cultural dances and sport events.

Parade of Pigs
Balayan, Batangas
June 24, 2008

Succulent roasted pork is the highlight of the occasion, decked out with all kinds of décor. The festival coincides with the feast of St. John the Baptist, observed by repeating the ritual of baptism.

Tacloban Pintados Festival
Tacloban City
Jun. 29, 2008

During the event residents deck themselves out in body paint mimicking the warriors of old while dancing to the drum. Prior to the Spanish Colonial era, tattoos signified courage among the natives of Tacloban.

Sandugo Festival
Tagbilaran City
July 20, 2008

The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on the shores of Bohol. This historic event is remembered with a fiesta at the island’s capital city. The street parade features ten colorfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. There is also a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and the Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant among dozens of other exciting activities.

Peñafrancia Viva La Virgen
Naga City
Sept. 20-21, 2008

Bicol’s biggest celebration is an annual affair that combines religion with culture and tradition, packing it in a nine-day fiesta. Stay until sundown on the ninth day for the fluvial parade as it makes its way down the river, surrounded by a sea of glowing candles.

Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
Zamboanga City
Oct. 1-31 2008

Zamboanga, known as the “City of Flowers,” holds its annual Hermosa Festival where colorful native sea boats partake in a regatta. There are also cultural and flower shows, art exhibits and trade fairs.

Masskara Festival
Bacolod City
Oct. 19, 2008

The carnival spirit fills the air as masked participants with fabulous costumes dance their way around the city. The festival coincides with the city’s character day celebration and features a carnival.

Christmas
Nationwide
September through December 2008

As September arrives in the Philippines, the sites and sounds of Christmas begin to emerge. Mass media starts a Christmas countdown, radio stations play carols, flea markets and malls are decorated and the streets are lined with colorful holiday furnishings.

During this time almost every Filipino family displays a nativity scene as well as “parol,” traditional Christmas lanterns that can be seen illuminating the streets. Various ceremonies are held throughout the Philippines to celebrate Christmas. Two such festivals include the Giant Lantern Festival and the Christmas Tree or Christmas Symbol contest.

The Giant Lantern Festival
Pampanga
Dec. 20, 2008

The Giant Lantern Festival is celebrated every Saturday before Christmas in Pampanga, a province in Central Luzon. This festival brings together local craftsmen and artists who create huge multi-colored lanterns measuring 18 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. Each lantern is paraded around town while a mix of folk and modern music fills the air. At the end of the parade, the lanterns are judged on improvisation of design, color scheme and light interplay with the music.

The Christmas Tree or Christmas Symbol Contest
Cagayan de Oro City
Dec. 1, 2008 – January 2009

The Christmas Tree or Christmas Symbol contest is held from the beginning of December through the first week of January at the Capitol Building of Cagayan de Oro City. Participants are judged on indigenous design and use of recycled materials, which are complemented with colorful and stylish Christmas lights.

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