Grand Philippine Festivals We Should Witness Live
The Philippines is known for its grand celebrations of their culture and traditions. From different parts of the country, they have their own festivals that make them distinct and it showcases what their town or city is known for.
Yes, these grand celebrations are worth witnessing live and should be considered a part of our own bucket list.
Sinulog
The Sinulog Festival is an annual religious and cultural celebration that reveres the feast day of the Santo Niño in Cebu City. It is celebrated every third Sunday of January. Sinulog is done by a ritual through dance in which it tells the story of how the Filipinos accepted Christianity. Aside from the religious part of the celebration, there are also street parties. It is done in different parts of the city during the nine-day period before the feast day.
Panagbenga Festival
Panagbenga, meaning the season of blooming, is what Baguio City is also known for. Annually celebrated during the month of February, this flowery festival is done for almost a month. This is because the month is the season when the flowers are seen to blossom beautifully. For sure, the Baguio Flower Festival is surely worth witnessing live.
Ati-atihan
The Ati-atihan is held in Kalibo, Aklan during the month of January. It was also celebrated as an honor to the Santo Niño. The first Ati-Atihan was organized to officially conclude a treaty between the Atis of Panay Island and Malays from Borneo. With this, the locals joyfully dance to the beat of drums while wearing extravagant costumes.
MassKara Festival
MassKara Festival is held annually at The City of Smiles, Bacolod City. This celebration is done with performances by the locals while they are wearing grandeur masks and outfits.
Pahiyas Festival
Done in Lucban, Quezon during the feast day of Saint Isidore, the annual Pahiyas is celebrated with lavish colors. This honors their livelihood, which is farming, through thanksgiving events and celebrations. They decorate their own houses as a symbol of their offering. This truly is a must-see as not only it is filled with colors, you’ll also be full with the food they have to offer..
Higantes Festival
The Higantes Festival is annually held at the town of Angono in Rizal. They celebrate it by parading higantes or giants made from papier-mâché throughout the town. The tradition’s origin came from the locals’ mockery of the hacienda owners back then. Also, this festival is done days before the feast day of Saint Clement on November 23. Which surely will make us stay in Rizal for a few days to experience it all.
Would you include these festivals on your own bucket list? Let us know if there are others we may have missed.
