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FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE
January 9th - Quiapo, Manila
A grand Fiesta, this festivalcenters on the image of the Black Nazarene
which was transported by galleon from Mexico to Manila in the 17th century.
The festival is marked by an afternoon procession by thousands of devotees.
ATI-ATIHAN
January 16-22 - Kalibo, Aklan
One of the most popular of the Philippine festivals, the Ati-atihan
is a celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño. Revelers don colorful
costumes and paint their bodies black and dance to the distictive beat
of "Hala bira!" around the town.
PASUNGAY
Every 2nd Saturday of January - San Joaquin, Iloilo
A festival of bulls on the hillsides of San Joaquin. Prized bulls from
the town and neighboring areas fight amidst wild cheering from spectators.
SINULOG
Every third weeken of January - Cebu City, Cebu
The Feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated in Cebu with a procession,
street dancing competition and a fluvial parade. Much like the Ati-atihan,
the Sinulog Festival is marked by frenzied reverly to the chant of "Pit
Senor!"
DINAGYANG
Every fourth weekend of January - Iloilo City, Iloilo
Spectacle characterized by a frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic
drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in
unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night.
ZAMBULAWAN
Every third Sunday of January - Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur. The
founding of Pagadian City showcases the Subanon tribe's rich cultural
heritage by way of songs, dances and exhibits of musical instruments.
FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES
February 2 - Jara, Iloilo City
The biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas.
The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness,
the Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and
her court which highlights the celebration.
PARAW REGATTA
First Sunday of March - Iloilo City
An exciting race among native outriggers in the strait between Guimaras
Island and Iloilo City. This is an activity every summer hedged with
rules, umpires and kibitzers.
EID-EL-FITR
March 9 - Region XII
A worldwide Muslim festival celebrating the end of the month-long fasting
period of the Holy Month of Ramadam by the Muslims.
VIA CRUSIS
April 1 - Cebu City
A lenten activity where devotees from Cebu City and its neighboring
cities and towns do their penitential procession through cities the
Station of the Cross built on 12 hectares of rolling hills. the life-size
statues of the 14 Stations of the Cross have been patterned after the
Way of the Cross in Lourdes, France.
PAK'KAAT KALLO
Holy Week - Magpet, Cotabato
An anuual feast of the Manobo tribal community of Magpet in celebration
of a bountiful harvest.
MORIONES FESTIVAL
Holy Week - Boac,Magpoc, Marinduque
One of the most famous of Philippine festivals. Colorfully garbed and
masked as Roman soldiers and centurions, locals reenact the life of
Longinus culminating in his beheading. The entire towns of Boac, Morpog
and Gasan are virtually converted into huge stages as the story as Longinus
unfolds.
TURUMBA
Good Friday - Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the centuries-old image of the Virgin Mary through the
streets, procession, singing and dancing to the Turumba.
ANG PAGTALTAL SA GUIMARAS
Good Friday - Jordan, Guimaras
Lenten presentation on the hillside of Jordan with locals as actors.
This ala-Oberrammergou event has been attracting hundreds of foreign
and domestic tourists: Local devotees' visit usually culminates in the
trek to "Balaan Bukid" or Holy Mountain where a huge cross
is planted by the chapel overlooking Guimaras Strait and Iloilo City.
LAMI-LAMIHAN FESTIVAL
2nd or 3rd Week of april - Lamitan, Basilan
A yearly festival coinciding with the founding of Lamitan Municipality;
showcases the traditional Yakan customs and traditions, music and dances,
and traditional crafts.
PISTA'Y DAYAT
May 1 - Lingayen, Pangasinan
A day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed
all over Pangasinan traditional with mass offering on beautiful beaches
and fluvial parade.
SANTACRUZAN
May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Nationwide
The Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena's finding
the "True Cross"; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of
the Holy Cross. On the ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan
is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a little boy representing King
Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical characters
and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated
arches.
CARABAO FESTIVAL
May 14 - Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao
carts bearing a myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to
the strongest and most beautifully decorated carabaos.
PULILAN CARABAO
May 14 - Pulilan, Bulacan
Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by theis farmer-owners
on the street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down
homage to San Isidro de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.
PAHIYAS SA QUEZON
May 15 - Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon
Homes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped
rice kropeck) and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession
and other activities.
OBANDO FERTILITY RITES
May 17 to 19 - Obando, Bulacan
A three day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta.
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.
TAPUSAN SA KAWIT
May 30 - Kawit, Cavite
A procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime
honors the Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town's most beautiful
young ladies symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.
ANTIPOLO PILGRIMAGE
May - Antipolo, Rizal
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.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
June 12 - Kawit, Cavite
Independence Day Celebration, marked by a flag raising ceremony on the
balcony of the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where the first Philippine flag
was unfurled.
PARADA NG LECHON
June 24 - Balayan, Batangas
The parading on the Feast of St. John the Baptist of "dressed"
and decorated "lechons" (roasted pigs) around town. Revelers
partake of the lechons after the parade.
PINTADOS FESTIVAL
June 29 - Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest focusing on the Leyteños' old custom
of tattooing that signifies courage and status in the community.
PAAWAY SA KABAYO (Horsefight)
July 25 and December 25 - Tanjay, Negros Orriental
An exciting, thrilling and oftentimes bloody fight among studs for supremacy
over a female horse. More than 100 horses have been trained solely for
this twice a year event.
BOCAUE RIVER FESTIVAL
First Sunday of July - Bocaue, Bulacan
A famous river festival held in honor of the miraculous Cross of Bocaue
(Krus ng Wawa). During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the
"pagoda" and douse each other with water.
RAJAH BAGUINDA FESTIVAL
2nd Week of August - Jolo, Sulu
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.
KADAYAWAN SA DABAW
3rd Week of August - Davao City
A celebration of the bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids during
the season. Activities include fruit and flower show, trade fair, tribal/civic/military
parade, traditional sports activities, horsefight, Search for B'yaneng
Kadayawan and street dancing.
LEMLUNAY (T'BOLI TRIBAL FESTIVAL)
Septermber 16-18 - Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
An annual authentic T'boli tribal festival staged at Lake Sebu. 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.
FEAST OF NUESTRA SEÑORA DE PEÑAFRANCIA
3rd Saturday of September - Naga City, Camarines Sur
A religious festival held in hornor of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
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.
MASSKARA FESTIVAL
October 19 - Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The biggest annual event that reflects the Bacoleños love for
fun and gaiety. Coinciding with Bacolod City's charter day celebration,
the festival features sports competitions, cultural programs, carnivals,
beauty contest and a long Mardi grasstyle costumed and masked street
dancers.
IBALONG FESTIVAL
October 19-22 - Legaspi City
A celebration depicting Bicol's early beginnings as portrayed in the
"Ibalong" epic that tells of super heroes Handiong, Batlog
and Oryol and villains and wild animals that roamed in the ancient times.
In music and dances, revelers parade on the main streets wearing masks
of these heroes and villains. Festival activities include tours, trade
fairs, exhibits and beauty pageants.
LA NAVAL DE MANILA
2nd Sunday of October - Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
A festival revolving around the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of
La Naval carved in 1533 and given as a gift to the Dominican Fathers.
Borne on an elaborately decorated and well-lit carriage in the form
of a ship, the venerated image is brought out of the church preceded
by a dozen or so images of Dominican saints. The procession goes around
the main streets of Sto. Domingo parish and then returns to the church
amidst applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.
FEAST OF SAN CLEMENTE / HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 22-23 - Angono, Rizal
Angono's joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose image, resplendent
in papal vestment, is borne by male devotees during a procession accompanied
by "pahadores (devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden
shoes and carrying boat paddles) and higantes" (giant paper mache
effigies) The street event culminates in a fluvial procession in Laguna
de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image is brought back
to its sanctuary.
GRAND CORDILLERA FESTIVAL
November - Baguio City
One of the region's major events held annualy featuring the gathering
of tribes in a week-long event to "celebrate life" marked
by tribal dancing and performances of thanksgiving rituals.
MARIAN PROCESSION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed
Virgin Mary from various parishes and provinces paraded.
PAGDIDIWATA
December 8 - Puerto Princessa, Palawan
A thanks giving celebration by the Tagbanua natives of Palawan in ritual
dances and food offerings to their deities and souls of departed kin
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPCION
December 8 - Intramuros, Manila
An Eucharistic celebrabration of the Feast Day of the La Immaculada,
patroness of Intramuros, capped by a grand procession of more than 50
Marian images from all over the country and participated in by thousands
of devotees.
BIKOL PASTORES
December 18 - Legazpi City, Albay
A unique Christmas celebration believed to have originated in the province
where "pastores" - young men and women dressed in colorful
shepherd costumes - joyfully dance and sing "Pastores a Belen"
through the city streets.
SAN FERNANDO GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
December - Ermita, Manila
A fiesta in honor of one of the oldest Marian images in the country
(it was found by Legazpi's soldiers amidst the foliage of a pandan shrub
on the shores of Ermita in 1571) - the La Nuestra Señora de Guia,
patroness of seafarers and also known as Our Lady of Expectations. The
main event of the fiesta is the Bota de Flores, a reenactment of a select
group of young ladies and their escorts in sailor costumes of the procession
returning the La Nuestra Señora de Guia to its reconstructed
shrine in 1918.
BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL
December 28-30 - San Jose, Antique
A festive commemoration of an episode in the history of the Filipino
race through colorful pageants acted on the beaches of Maybato in San
Jose and Malandog in Hamtik. Particularly interesting is the drama of
the first Malay settlement at malandog which runs for several days and
nights. Binirayan is also an occasion of reunion with families, relatives
and friends of homecoming Antiqueno expatriates.
Travel Quotes: We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time. T. S. Eliot
It is better to travel well than to arrive. Buddha Common dishes
Popular catches include tilapia, catfish (hito), milkfish (bangus), grouper (lapu-lapu), shrimp (hipon), prawns (sugpo), mackerel (galunggong, hasa-hasa), swordfish, oysters (talaba), mussels (tahong), clams (halaan and tulya), large and small crabs (alimango and alimasag respectively), game fish, sablefish, tuna, cod, blue marlin, and squid/cuttlefish (both called pusit).
More details at Common dishes Philippines: Language and Dialect
While there are over 100 regional languages in the Philippines, the national language is Filipino, with English as the most widely spoken second language. All business, governmental and legal transactions are conducted in English. Philippines: Useful Filipino Phrases
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