| THE PHILIPPINES |
MAJOR PHILIPPINE CULTURAL EVENTS
Philippine festivals are a mixture of religious commemoration and folk elements celebrated with pomp and pageantry. There are many reasons why fiestas are held: as a form of thanksgiving, to pay homage to the town’s patron saint, in celebration of a bountiful harvest, or a re-enactment of a historical event. Some of the most popular fiestas are: the Pahiyas of Lucban and Sariaya, Quezon, Ati-atihan of Kalibo, Sinulog of Cebu, Maskara Festival of Bacolod, Moriones Festival of Marinduque, Lanzones Festival of Camiguin, and the Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo, which are celebrated nationwide during the month of May.
BULAKLAKAN FESTIVAL
January 1 | Muntinlupa City , Metro Manila
Annual procession, parade of flowers and costumes.
SINULOG FESTIVAL
January 1- January 9 | Cebu City
Celebrated every 3rd Sunday of January, is Cebu ''s biggest and most popular festival. The feast is in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Santo Niño de Cebu. Fiesta Senyor, as it is widely known, is the most celebrated among Cebu''s festival where people converge along the routes of a grand solemn procession and partake in the gaiety amidst a mardi gras parade immersed in wild colors and the constant beating of drums.
BAILES DE LUCES
January 1 | La Castellana, Negros Occidental
The town's celebration of Charter Day and a befitting Culmination of the Christmas season, the festival is conceptualized as a festival of hope and thanksgiving.
FEAST OF THE THREE KINGS
January 2 | Gasan, Marinduque
A feast honoring the three kings who are visiting houses around the Poblacion of Gasan
ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL
January 3- January 16 | Kalibo, Aklan
Scene of a yearly celebration in honor of Sto. Niño held every third week of January, popularly known worldwide as Ati-Atihan. So called because Aklanons, domestic and foreign tourists, wipe soot on their faces and done ethnic paraphernalia and masquerade around town as Negritos and make merry and dance in the streets to the beat of ambulant ethnic troubadours.
STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL
January 4- January 16 | WOW, Intramuros
This will run until January 4-16 where there will be an exhibit of Sto. Niño exhibit, exhibit on the history of devotion to Sto. Niño in the Philippines , unique and interesting rituals and festivals on Sto. Niño, children's games and other related activities.
BINIRAY FESTIVAL (Fluvial procession)
January 9 | Romblon
Sto. Niño-inspired revelry and fluvial procession.
LINGAYEN GULF LANDING ANNIVERSARY
January 9 | Lingayen, Pangasinan
Lingayen, Pangasinan (6 hours from Manila by land) Commemoration of the liberation of Pangasinan from the Japanese invasion led by Gen. Douglas McArthur on Jan. 9, 1945....
ARAW NG KORONADAL ‘HINUGYAW FESTIVAL’
January 10 | Koronadal
Translated literally, it means "Day of Koronadal" and indeed it is. Hinugyaw Festival, dubbed as the "Festival of Festivals", is a celebration of the different cultures that has dwelled on the fertile valley of Koronadal for many years now.
FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE
January 14 | Quiapo, Manila
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.
CARACOL FESTIVAL
January 16 | Glorietta 4 Park Makati City, Metro Manila
Official Festival of the City of Makati by virtue of resolution No. 251 of Jan. 21, 1991 displaying the call of the local Government for the protection and conservation of our ecology.
PANGISDAAN FESTIVAL
January 16 | Brgy. Tangos, Navotas
One of the highlights of the Navotas Day celebration featuring a street dancing and float competition focusing on the fishing industry.
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