Holidays

Holidays and in particular Festivals are celebrated all over the Philippines throughout the year. The Filipinos love their Fiestas, giving them time to relax and enjoy with families and friends, forgetting the hardship of life and daily struggles. All the joy and happiness comes out, the streets are filled with celebrations and hospitality.

Please note: The exact days vary from year to year and shall be inquired with the department of tourism or the individual municipalities.

January

• New Years Day - January 1.
  On New Years eve one should not be without food and money! That is why Filipinos - and may Asians, spend lavish on food and drinks. Firecrackers and loud noise is made to drive bad evils and spirits away from the home and business. Lights are all on and loads of fruits are presented as symbolic gift to the goods. The midnight supper and early morning mass is the way Filipinos celebrate the new year following the get together of the family.
• Feast of the Three Kings - 1st Sunday.
  The end of the Christmas season and the honoring of the three wise man.
• Feast of the Black Nazarene - in Quiapa, Metro Manila.
  An honor to the centuries-old black image of Christ bearing the cross.
• Pasungay - every 2nd Saturday in San Joaquin.
  Bull fight.
• Sinulog Festival - every 3rd weekend in Cebu City.
  Street dancing competition and parade, in honor of the holy child Jesus.
• Ati-Atihan - 3rd week in Kalibo, Aklan.
  Mardi Gras inspired, very colorful procession and dancing in honor of the holy child Jesus.
• Kabankalan Sinulog - 3rd Sunday in Negros Occidentals.
  Version of Ati-Atihan.
• Dinagyang Festival - 4th week in Iloilo.
  Similar to the Ati-Atihan held in honor of St. Nino in the San Jose Church, colorful dancing in the streets day and night.
• Zambulawan - every 3rd Sunday in Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur.
  Dances and songs display Subanon's culture and heritage.

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February

• Feast of our Lady of Candles - in Jaro, Iloilo City.
  The most religious happening of blessing candles with procession of the patroness Nuestra Senora de Candelaria. Also it is a time for garden shows, carnival shows and cock derbies.
• Tinagba Festival - in Iriga City, Camarines Sur.
  A parade of bull carts carrying the first new harvests which are brought to the shrine of the Virgin on Calvary Hill. After mass all offerings are distributed to indigent families.
• Kalibongan Festival - in Cotabato.
  A very colorful festival with tribal dances shown by different tribes of Cotabato. It goes along with the founding of Kidapawan.
• International Bamboo Organ Festival - in Las Pinas, Metro Manila.
  International and Filipino music is played annually during this festival.
• Parawa Regatta - in Iloilo City.
  In the strait between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City native outriggers show a spectacular races.
• Bayawan Festival - in Bayawan, Negros Oriental.
  A tribute to the scarecrow, the guardian of the Bayawan rice fields.
• Moro-Moro Zarsuela - in Baler, Aurora.
  A form of theatre, showing the conflicts between Moslems and Christians in drama and dance. Real knifes and bolos are used in these dances.
• Pagayaya - in Ilagan, Isabela.
  A cultural showcase of the local tribes.
• People Power Anniversary - February 22 to 26 in Metro Manila.
  Also known as People Power Revolution which terminated Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship in 1986.
• Salidumay Festival - in Lubuagan, Kalinga-Apayao.
  Tribal music, dances and rituals of the Kalingas and Isnegs.

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March

• Paraw Regata - first Sunday in Iloilo City.
  Outrigger race in the strait of Guimaras islands and Iloilo.
• Araw ng Dabaw - in Davao City.
  Charter anniversary of the city.
• Pasayaw festival - in Canlaon City, Negro Occidental.
  Harvest festival.
• Holy Week - nation-wide.
  Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the week long activity - churchgoers offer palm and leaves symbolizing the arrival of Jesus Christ I Jerusalem.
  Holy Thursday is a prayers day at church often accompanies with passion's.
  Good Friday marks the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross.
  Easter Sunday finally is celebrated with processions.

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April

• Bataan Day - in Bataan.
  The Fall of Bataan and the Death March during World War II are remembered on this day. Corregidor in Bataan was the site of a fierce battle between the Japanese, Filipinos and Americans.
• Imbayah Festival - in Banaue, Ifugao.
  Showcase of Ifugao culture.
• Jeepney King Festival - in Metro Manila.
  An exhibition of very colorful and highly decorated jeepneys.
• Turumba - Pakil in Laguna.
  A seven day feast with processions in honor of Our Lady of Sorrows.
• Lami_Lamihan Festival - 2nd or 3rd week in Lamitan, Basilan.
  Traditional Yakan customs and traditions and founding of municipality of Lamitan.
• Pasasalamat Festival - last Sunday in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
  Thanksgiving.
• Tingguian Cultural Festival - in Bangued, Abra.
  Tribal celebration.

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May

• Labor Day - May 1.
  Nation-wide holiday in honor of the workers.
• Flores De Mayo - whole month.
  A month where most town fiestas are held and flowers are offered in processions to the Virgin Mary.
• Corregidor Day.
  Corregidor in Bataan served in the World War II as main defense point for Filipinos and Americans against the Japanese. This day commemorates the take-over of the Japanese of Corregidor.
• Barangay Boot Festival - in Aparri, Cagayan.
  A festival held in honor of the town's patron saint.
• Antipolo Pilgramage - whole month in Aantipolo, Rizal.
  Spanish sailors brought the image of Our Lady of Peace and good voyage to the Philippines.
• Black Nazarene Festival - in Capalonga, Camarines Norte.
  A pilgrimage to the towns saint joined by a lot of Chinese wishing good luck in business and a year of property.
• Bohol Fiesta - in Bohol Province.
  A whole month of fiesta and home coming for all Boholanos.
• Parancillo - in Valenzuela.
  Bulacan's version of the Ati-atihan festival.
• Carabao Festival - in Pulilan, Bulacan and Angono, Rizal.
  The farmers pay tribute to their main field helper, the water buffalo. Decorated for procession and followed by a buffalo race it is spectacle worth to see.
• Pahiyas sa Quezon - in Sariaya and Lukban, Quezon.
  Colorful decorations of the houses with a parade in honor of San Isidro Labrador.
• Obando Festival - in Obando, Bulacan.
  Childless couples from all over the country to be part in the fertility dance in the hope being blessed with a child.
• Mayohan sa Tayabas - in Tayabas, Quezon.
  In honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron of all farmers.

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June

• Naligayan Festival - 2nd week in Agusan de Sur.
  Tribal shows and exhibition marked by the highlight climbing on top of the waterfalls.
• Padayao Festival - in Masbate.
  Thanksgiving.
• Independence Day. Nation wide.
• Araw ng Cotabato - in Cotabato, Mindanao.
  Celebration of city founding highlighted by banca race, kites festival, parades and sport competitions.
• Great Sibidan Festival - in Tabaco, Albay.
  Boat race of fisherman at Albay Gulf.
• Araw ng Maynila.
  Commemoration of the founding of Manila.
• Feast of St. John the Baptist.
  Celebrated in memory of St. John the Paptist in many towns nation wide.
• Paradong Lechon - in Balayan, Batangas.
  Parade with decorated lechon or roasted pigs which, after parade is offered for tasting to all guests.
• Piat Sambali Festival - 4th week in Piat, Cagayan.
  In memory of the Christianity of the Ytawes region of Cagayan. It is celebrated with cultural shows, street parades and dances and beauty pageant.
• Subiran Regatta - in Tacloban, Leyte.
  Sail boat race.
• Pintados Festival - in Tacloban, Leyte.
  Street parade and famous tattoo contest.

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July

• Pagoda Festival - in Bocaue, Bulacan.
  River parade of a pagoda and decorated barges in memory of the Holy Cross of Wava, once found in the waters of the Bocaue River.
• Sagayan Festival - 1st week in Tubod, Lanao del Norte.
  Presentation of the colorful native costumes.
• Sinulog de Tanjay Festival - 4th week in Tanjay, Negro Oriental.
  10 day fiesta with costume parade, horse fights re-enacting the Spanish - Muslim battles and old Sinulog cultural shows.
• Sandugo Festival - 4th week in Bohol.
  In memory of the blood pact between the Spanish Legaspi and the Filipino tribal leader Sikatuna.
• Kahimonan Abayan Festival - 4th week in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
  In memory of St. Anne or Santa Ana, said to be protecting the residents along Agusan River from man-eating crocodiles.
• Paaway Sa Kabayo - in Tanjay, Negros Oriental.
  Fight among studs over a female horse - special trained horses for twice yearly event (July and December).

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August

• Kadayawan Festival - in Davao City, Mindanao.
  Honoring the tallest mountain Mt. Apo, the fruit Durian and orchids flower Waling-Waling.
• Kagayaahn Festia - 4th week in Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao.
  Dances and music of ethnic groups.
• Baguio City Foundation Day - 4th week in Baguio City.
• National Hero's Day - last Sunday - nation wide.
  In memory to the fallen soldiers of the last two world wars.

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September

• Kaamulan - 1st week - in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
  Ethnic dances and music festival.
• Feast of Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia - 3rd Saturday - in Naga City, Camarines Sur.
  Procession on Bicol river.
• Maradjao-Karadjao - 2nd week - in Surigao City.
  Ethnic dance festival.
• Tboli Festival - 3rd week - in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
  The inspiration to the local tribe to regain the lost golden area "Lem-Lunay", which the T'boli folk believes it existed in the past.

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October

• Feast of La Naval Manila - in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
  Parade of the Virgin.
• Zamboanga Hermosa - 2nd week - in Zamboanga City.
  Cultural show, ethnic dances and parades in honor of Nuestra Senora del Pilar, the saint of the city.
• Lanzones festival - 4th week - in Mambajao, Camiguin.
  Dancers dressed in Lanzones leaves show dances in honor of the islands most important citrus fruit.
• MassKara Festival - 4th week - in Bacolod City.
  Festival similar to Ati-Atihan.

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November

• All Saints Day - November 1 - nation wide.
  In memory of departed ones.
• Negros Heroes' Day - in Silay City.
  In memory of the founding of the city as well as of General Aniceto Lacson leader of the revolution in 1898 against Spain.
• Gigantes Festival (Feast of San Clemente) - in Angono, Rizal.
  Procession with huge paper figurines.
• Grand Cordillera festival - last week - in Burnham Park, Baguio City.
  Tribal dances, music presentations, cultural shows.
• Bonifacio Day - November 30 - nation wide.
  In memory of the revolutionist Andres Bonifacio fighting against the Spanish.

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December

• Pagayaya Festival - in Ilagan, Isabela.
  Cultural showcase of the region on culture, arts & crafts, cuisine and others.
• Sinadya Sa Halaran - in Roxas City, Capiz (Visayas).
  Parades and cultural shows.
• Guagua Town Fiesta - in Pampanga.
  Like the Sinadya Sa Halaran a celebration in honor of the Immaculate Concepcion.
• Pagdiwata - in Palawan.
  The Tagbanua tribe celebration of thanksgiving with dances and music.
• Children's Festival - in Lucena City.
  A children parade with games and dances.
• Shariff Kabunsuan - 3rd week - in Cotabato City.
  In memory of Shariff Kabunsuan, who brought the Islam into Mindanao.
• San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival - December 24 in San Fernando, Pampanga.
  A celebration and display of huge Christmas lanterns.
• Christmas Day - December 25 - nation wide.
  The celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. at midnight a mass is held on December 24, followed by the midnight supper or noche buena. On the 25th the day is celebrated with family reunion and gift giving to children.
• Binirayan Festival - last week - in Malandog, Antique.
  The landing of the 10 Malayan Datus in Antique.
• Rizal Day - December 30 - nation wide.
  In memory of Jose Rizal.
• Balintawakan Festival - in Pontevedra, Capiz.
  Gathering of senior citizens.
• Binalbal Festival - December 31 - in Tudela, Misamis Occidental.
  Celebration of the coming year with street dances.

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