A mass, novenas, grand parade, beauty pageants, processions, and many other activities are prepared for this special day that brings all the whole community together to express gratitude to God.
Often, such occasions draw many balikbayans to return home and reminisce the olden times. Before the coming of the Spaniards, Filipinos practiced animism, or the worship of spirits, which involved performing ceremonies intended to appease malevolent spirits. These spirits are believed to control parts of human life, such as health, wealth, family, and subsistence. To ward off misfortunes and gratify these spirits, ritual offerings are regularly made by the locals.
Catholic missionaries who arrived along with the Spaniards created fiestas to gradually persuade the population to convert to the Roman Catholic faith. Today, the Philippines is the only predominantly Christian country in all of Asia.
The practices taught by the Spanish clergy have merged well with indigenous ritual practices and carried over to this day. Filipinos, especially those living in provincial areas, go all out to celebrate this festivities to guarantee comfort in the coming year, believing that the bigger they spend, the more returns they will obtain.
For many Filipinos, fiestas are important because of the miraculous power of the saints. Quezon May Flowers come out in May, but these aren't the only things flaunted during this merry month. Down south in the town of Lucban, Quezon, there's also the kiping - a colorful, translucent rice tortilla that serves as an edible ornament of sorts.
You will see lots of these at the Pahiyas Festival, an annual celebration held to usher in a bountiful harvest, and smashing good times. It's a free-for-all, grab-all-you-can affair with suman-sweet, sticky native rice cakes-as the center of contention.
It is also the grand prize, so feel free to join the fray. Rest assured, whether you get handfuls or just a mere mouthful, the Mayohan sa Tayabas will leave you wanting for more - suman, of course! Sariaya's own version of the San Isidro festival showcases the creativity and ingenuity of the townsfolk in their craft and culinary tradition. 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.
The participation of the town's most beautiful young ladies symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother. Antipolo, Rizal May A 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. Nationwide May A parade of the town's loveliest ladies, depicting the search and discovery of Christ's Cross by Queen Helena and Constantine.
Kawit, Cavite June 12 Independence Day Celebration, marked by a flag raising ceremony on the balcony of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where the first Philippine flag was unfurled. In fact, they loved it so much that they made a festival in its honor. Join the locals as they celebrate the Pineapple Festival featuring a colorful street presentation complemented by art exhibits, trade fair, cultural dances, and sport events.
Feel rich when you go for a visit at Paracale Gold Mines, and be acquainted with some Bicol heroes like Vinzon and Panganiban and Lucban. Murcia, Negros Occidental 24 June Oneness with nature is the underlying theme behind Murcia's annual mud-moving spectacle. Check on its murky highlight - a lively street dancing parade with the participant wearing nothing but mudpacks well, almost It's a surefire way to mix our ecological concerns with good, clean, cloddy fun - just be sure to shower afterwards!
These succulent roasted pork form the highlight of the occasion, decked out in their platforms with all kinds of decor. Since the festival coincides with the feast of St. John the Baptist, be prepared to get wet as people observe the feast by repeating the ritual of baptism - pouring water. Tacloban City 29 June Back during pre-Hispanic years, tattoos signified courage among the natives of Tacloban.
These days they symbolize a cultural revival, and a wild, wacky fiesta called the Pintados. Join the town residents as they deck themselves out in body paint, mimicking the warriors of old while dancing to the frenetic beat of drums. Tagbilaran City July The Spanish colonization of the Philippines began with a blood-sealed peace treaty on the shores of Bohol.
This historic event is remembered today with an all-out fiesta at the island's capital city. Check out the Sandugo street dancing parade featuring ten colorfully-dressed groups dancing to the beat of drums. There's also a traditional Filipino carnival, a martial arts festival, and Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant, among the dozen of other exciting activities. During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the "pagoda" and douse each other with water.
Tanjay, Negros Orriental July 25 and December 25 An exciting, thrilling and oftentimes bloody fight among studs for supremacy over a female horse. More than horses have been trained solely for this twice a year event. Dapitan City 25 July An exotic and colorful pageant re-enacting the Spanish-Moorish wars, particularly the Battle of Covadonga where the Spanish forces under General Pelagio took their last stand against Saracan.
They were able to reverse the tide through the miraculous apparition of St. The addition of local color and innovation has made this annual revelry a popular attraction which brings thousands of visitors to the city. Jolo, Sulu 2nd Week of August A 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.
Davao City August Davao's annual festival, Kadayawan Sa Dadaw promises another weekend of fanfare and fun - tribal style. Watch as the festivities reach a glorious climax on Saturday morning: that's when the Kadayawan parade is held, featuring colorful, orchid-bedecked floats and more than a dozen "ethnic" groups dancing to the beat of wooden drums.
Surigao City 9 September Behind Surigao's multi-faceted culture is its original tribal background. The Surigaonons go back to their roots this month as they celebrate their heritage with a loud, rowdy street dancing parade. 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.
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.
The vintas, those colorful native sea boats, once again make their appearance in a fast-paced, race-till-you-drop regatta. Photo source: Wikimedia Commons. Unlike other festivals in the Philippines, Moriones Festival is, according to religious sectors, not a festive occasion.
This religious festival is a traditional activity held every Holy Week in the island province of Marinduque in the Philippines. This religious festival is a re-enactment of the biblical story of a Roman soldier whose one eye was blind named Longinus.
Photo by albay. Ibalong Festival, far from the other festivals in the Philippines, is a non religious festival about harvests. It is a celebration in recognition of the socio-historic-cultural heritage of Bicolanos as based on the Ibalong Epic showcasing the bravery and strength of three heroes—Baltog, Handyong and Bantong—who got to battle against the elements, one-eyed monsters, giant flying sharks, crocodiles as big as boats, and other such fearful creatures.
Photo by Constantine Agustin via Flickr. It is an annual celebration that commemorates the Foundation Anniversary of South Cotabato. Q: What are the biggest festivals in the Philippines? A: Philippines is popular not just for its pristine beaches but also for its colorful and fun festivals. Here are some of the biggest Philippine festivals you must experience:.
Q: Why festivals are celebrated in the Philippines? For religious festival in the Philippines, Filipinos express their gratitude to the patron saints for bountiful blessings. While for other fiesta like festivals in Luzon, mostly are celebrations about their well-known products that serve as their identifiers. Q: What is the mother of all festival in the Philippines? Q: Is MassKara festival religious or nonreligious? A: MassKara Festival is nonreligious. Q: What is the biggest festival in the Philippines?
A: Many people consider Sinulog in Cebu as the biggest festival in the Philippines. Local and foreign tourists travel to Cebu in January just to experience Sinulog Festival. Q: As a Filipino how do you feel about celebrating festivals?
A: Fiesta celebration is already part of our tradition. And celebrating yearly does not only let them say thanks for the blessings they receive but also gives Filipinos hope for a much better tomorrow. Q: Why is it important for many Filipinos to celebrate festivals?
Festivals are their way to give thanks to the patron saint for the abundant blessings or to celebrate the start of something. Q: How do festivals in general represent the cultural and ethnic diversity in the Philippines?
A: A Filipino Fiesta is an expressive way to celebrate rich heritage, culture and traditions and play an important role to add structure to our social lives, and connect us with our families and people with different race or backgrounds. Q: How will you promote festival dances in your province? A: Nowadays where technology is always upgrading, promoting a fiesta is easier through the help of social media.
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