FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

[Kathy Aichele]

It's a recognized reality that Filipinos take their festivals and fiestas seriously. No matter what the economic circumstance is, the show, or in this matter, the feast should go on. It's not an exaggeration then when someone states there may be a carnival going on in some village at any given day.

Due to the Spanish impact on Filipino's Catholic spirituality, most of these festivals are religious in origin. No matter what the initial significance of the celebration was, these days are usually marked with people garbed in fancy outfits, overflowing food and beverages, fluvial parades, processions, competitions, and numerous more.

1. Ati-Atihan-- Kalibo

Called as the Mom of All Celebration in the Philippines, Kalibo's Ati-Atihan is the earliest festival in the nation. It's a two-week merriment that culminates on the 3rd Sunday of January.

As early as December, you will hear drumbeats as individuals practice for the upcoming occasion. Throughout the event, individuals worn outfits made of indigenous products gather in the street and dance to the beat of the drums. Their skin is blackened to represent the early inhabitants referred to as "ati". Chants of "' Viva! Santo Niño!" and "Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!" can be heard along with the rhythmic cadence of tribal music. The very first phrase is a tribute to the baby Jesus and the 2nd is a plea not to get sick under the sweltering heat of the sun.

In the last years, different cities have come up with their own version but Ati-Atihan is distinct for one major reason: it is really interactive. Residents are not simply simple spectators, they paint their skin black with soot and join the groups in street dancing. Do not be postponed if you get wet with some beer spray, after all it's the local equivalent of Mardi Gras.

2. Ati-Atihan Sinulog-- Cebu City

On the exact same day, Cebu City likewise pays tribute to the to Santo Niño through their Ati-Atihan Sinulog. What sets it apart is the way they dance to the beat of the drums-- 2 step forward and one step backward-- a motion that's indicated to mimic the water present (sulog) of Pahina River. Besides the religious parade and street parties, you can likewise enjoy trade fairs, musical occasions, and art exhibitions.

3. Dinagyang-- Iloilo City

Precisely a week later the 4th Sunday of January, Iloilo City also holds the exact same cultural and spiritual festivity in honour of the Child Jesus. Dinagyang consists of a fluvial procession, colourful parades, and a competitors for the most detailed costume and excellent choreography. There will be numerous stages around the city and you need to buy tickets to much better see the significant display.

4. Masskara-- Bacolod

Another popular Visayas celebration is Bacolod's Masskara, a 20-day street party packed with food, beverages, dances, and a bunch of wild contests like chasing a pig and downing coconut milk. Held on the weekend closest to October 19, it was conceptualized to reveal the local's resiliency regardless of a hard life. Individuals wear papier-mâché or clay masks portraying a huge smile.

5. Kadayawan Festival-- Davao City

Mindanao also has their own share of lavish fiestas led by Davao City's Kadayawan Festival held yearly every 3rd week of August. The typical street dances, the city hosts horse fights, beauty pageants, and boat races.

6. Moriones Festival-- Marinduque

During Holy Week each year, a family vacation destinations biblical re-enactment is seen on the roadways of Marinduque when villagers don their interpretation of a Roman soldiers' helmet, gown, and armour. Carried out as a type of repentance, Moriones Celebration is implied to depict the search for Longinus, the Roman soldier who pierced Jesus' side with a lance during the Crucifixion. Christian or not, this spiritual pageantry is interesting to state the least.

7. Pintados Festival-- Tacloban

If you're into tattoos and body arts then you might flip over the annual event of Pintados celebration in Tacloban when locals dance around the streets with tattooed bodies to signify the brave warriors of the past. Depicting the natives' practice of idolatry in addition to their penchant for music and dance, this June 29th celebration offers a look of how the native people lived previous to the Spaniard's arrival.

8. Panagbenga, Baguio Flower Celebration

The mainland Luzon is not one to take the backseat in regards to celebrations too. Every year during the month of February, thousands of tourists both domestic and foreign increase to the Summer Capital of the Philippines to witness the city blossom, actually. Panagbenga or Baguio Flower Celebration commemorates the rise of the city after the terrible catastrophe when the earthquake hit it in 1990. Throughout the banquet, Burnham Park and Session Roadway is awash with flamboyant floats decorated totally with flowers, it's a breathtaking phenomenon really.

9. Higantes Festival-- Angono, Rizal

Every 23rd of November, head over to Angono, Rizal to be part of its larger than life celebration - the Higantes Festival. Pahiyas Celebration-- Lucban, Quezon

The town of Lucban, Quezon likewise buzzes with excitement each year on May 15 as they hold the Pahiyas Festival to thank the tutelary saint of farmers, San Isidro de Labrador, for a plentiful harvest. Each house is creatively adorned with fruits, vegetables, and the brilliantly coloured rice paper called "kiping". Brace yourself for an all out food extravaganza and an awesome parade of locals in colourful costumes, papier-mâché giants, carabaos, and extravagantly designed drifts.

11. Obando Fertility Rites-- Obando, Bulacan

We'll cover this list with a special kind of festival-- the Obando Fertility Rites-- held for 3 days from May 17 to 19. On nowadays in Obando, Bulacan, followers do the fertility street dance to beseech the three saints, San Pascua, Nuestra Señora de Salambáo, and Santa Clara for great fortune, a spouse, or a lot of specifically, a child.

This list barely even scratch the surface but is an excellent start for a more extensive experience of Philippine Culture and Tradition.