Festivals and Events of the Philippines
1.Caloocan City
A.Pajotan de Sto.Niño Festival
Every 3rd Sunday of January, they celebrated Pajotan de Sto. Niño Festival.
Pajotan originally the shortcut of “Mypajo”. It is a local variety of mango found in Caloocan City. Devotees participated in the different goups of Ati-atihan together with the procession or parade of different Sto. Niños. Faithful to the miraculous image of Sto. Niño granted prayers and favors.
B.Bonifacio Day
They celebrated Bonifacio Day on 30th day of November. Andres Bonifacio was the leader of the Katipunan greatly fought against Spain oppression and autocracy. This event was the city’s pride and even highlights the heroism of Andres Bonifacio.
2.CITY OF MANILA
A.Feast of the Black Nazarene (09 January)
A day-long festival of the Black Nazarene highlighted by a massive procession mostly participated by male devotees. They walk barefooted carrying the image on their shoulders around Quiapo district. Wishes will be granted and forgiveness of sins through faith, belief and hopes. Believers express their deepest gratitude to the Creator for all the bounties and graces received.
B.Lakbayaw Festival & Sto. Niño de Tondo (10 & 19 January)
The City of Manila conducts a series of cultural activities both residents and non-government organizations of Sto. Niño de Tondo. The “Lakbayaw Street Dance Festival” was the highlight of the said celebration wherein Ati-atihan groups, schools, community. Religious organizations and honorable Mayor sponsored for the trophies and cash prizes.
C.Buling-Buling Festival (17January)
Streetdancing is the official cultural dance intended to honor the miraculous Sto. Niño in the City of Manila. It is a kind of ritual by men and women who sing and dance the accompaniment of the different instruments while Sto. Niño’s image is passed around the dancers to keep them under his never-ending love and protection.
D.Chinese New Year Festival (23 January)
To welcome the Chinese Lunar Year, a luxurious celebration with families coming together feasting on Chinese Lauriat. Through fireworks and pyrotechnic display complete the Chinese Cultural Show.
E.International Philippine Marathon (24 February)
This event, 10K-5K-3K marathon will be start at the Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park from 6:00 AM to 12 NN participated by foreign and local runners who sprint the 27-kilometers stretch of the Pasig River. The objective of the said annual advocacy is pursuing a high profile awareness campaign for the continuous rehabilitation of the Pasig River.
F.Flores De Mayo (1st Sunday of May)
Flores de Mayo traditionally known as “Santacruzan” usually fall on the 1st Sunday of May. It is the offering of flowers to the Blessed Mary for the bounties received. A grand procession of celebrities, models and beauty queens wearing the creation of some of the top fashion designers of the country.
G.Feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception (08 December)
In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, all over the country celebrated the feast of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception every 8th day of December. Grand procession of the various images of the Blessed Virgin Mary wherein attractive gowns on board fully illuminated carriages adorned with fresh beautiful flowers takes place. Mostly, women are the devotees of the Blessed Virgin and join the procession to give thanks for all the abundance and favors received. This activity is the most remarkable observance happens at Intramuros.
H.Paskong-Pasko sa Metro Manila (2nd week of December)
The Department of tourism organizes different competitions and activities such as Chorale Group Singing Competition, Lantern-Making & Parade Competition and Marching Band Competition. There are 17 participants come from Metro Manila local government units. Successful celebration of this season of christmas through sharing and loving one another.
3. Las Pinas
A. 33rd Bamboo Organ Festival (21 to 29 February)
Bamboo Organ Festival is an international organ festival participated in by foreign artists. One activity of the said celebration is concert because it is being praised by many for its uniqueness, rare and melodious sound. The festival held every year at St. Joseph Parish of Las Piñas City where the famous Bamboo Organ is placed.
B.The Town Fiesta / The Feast of St. Joseph (1st Sunday of May)
The Novena with “prusisyon”, Banda Parada, the staging of Comedia or Moro-Moro, singing contest and fireworks display are the activities that highlighted The Town Fiesta. It includes five(5) barangays namely: Daniel Fajardo, Elias Aldana, Ilaya, Manuyo Uno, Pulanglupa Uno.
C.Water Lily Festival (Last week of July
The Las Piñas City government launched the basket weaving livelihood project in order to confront the flooding problem caused by the over abundance of water lilies and at the same time provide residents with livelihood opportunities.
4. Makati City
A.Caracol (3rd Sunday of January)
The City of Makati celebrated “Caracol” Festival every 3rd Sunday in the month of January. It is their official festival wherein participating groups are clothed or dressed in flowers, tress, fruits, birds and butterflies. There are also groups that are wearing endangered species of animals expressed, that we are going to preserve and conserve our national heritage.
B.Chinese New Year (07 February)
The celebration of the Chinese New Year is one of the events viewed by thousands of spectators. Presentation of the Dragon and Tiger Dances highlighted much this event and right after is the displaying of fireworks in shapes and frames donated by the business sector.
C.Flores de Mayo (Last Sunday of May)
Young ladies are the participants of the grandest processions in Metro Manila in which the winner or the Flower Queen is crowned by the honorable city Mayor. Thirty-three barangays of Makati tourism-oriented establishments and enterprises, local and government offices, and Makati-based corporations are presented.
D.Bailes delos Arcos (29 June)
Performed during the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul at Barangay Poblacion by young daughters of past participants with impeccable reputations as homage to the Virgen dela Rosa for her kindness.
E.Linggo ng Kasuotang Pilipino (September)
This event is participated by the chosen employees of the local government and some of the city officials. Showcases of the traditional Filipino attire are being displayed. And it shows the evolution of the Philippine national costume.
F.Belen sa Makati (December)
It is a tradition which unfolds the Christmas season symbolizes of unity and cooperation. Belen sa Makati added the attractive colourful lights and decorated with creatively matched and combined with locally made Christmas lanterns. Public and private buildings or even establishments artistically put their own versions and styles in decorating as early as the first day of December signaling the spirit of the holiday season. Belen sa Makati was conceived in 1987.
5.Malabon City
Pagoda-Caracol (08 & 09 December)
Our Lady of Immaculate Conception feast celebrated every 9th day of December. It is a joint celebration of the
Roman Catholic and Aglipay churches. Grand fluvial procession of the valued and respected image of Virgin Mary along Malabon-Navotas River. Together with the traditional street dancing participated both young and old costumed with colourful and attractive dresses.
6. Mandaluyong City
A.Sto. Niño Festival (3rd Sunday of January)
The religious festival in honor of our child Jesus highlighted by a colourful processional dance. Other activity they have is a grand display of the warriors Sto. Niño images.
B.Senakulo sa Barangka (17 to 22 March)
The Senaklo sa Barangka is their 43rd Threater Season. This activity is a theatrical description of the life and passion of Christ. It is held 7:00 p.m. within six(6) successive night at Plaza Barangka Ibaba, Mandaluyong City.
C.Via Crucis (19 March)
The religious activity which is the station of the cross to be held on Holy Wednesday, 2:00 p.m. This celebration is being observed at Barangay Namayan, Mandaluyong City.
D.Santacruzan (May)
This grand religious procession happen every month of May. It shows various characters from the holy bible. It depicts the search for the Holy cross by Queen Helena and her son, Prince Constantine.
E. 29 de Agosto (29 August)
Way back to the year 1896, this historical happening as the city experience its First Cry of Revolution against the Spaniards. Kundiman are the special activities for the occasion.
F.Lavandero Festival (November-movable)
As an acknowledgement to the good laundrymen and women of Mandaluyong, they have their Streetdancing and other exiting activities. The shows are then held by the banks of the legendary and well-known Pasig River.
G.Pasko, Pasko sa Policarpio (December)
Every month of December, the entire Policarpio St., Bgy. New Zaniga is turned into a wonderful and glorious Christmas ground with houses wherein thousands of Christmas lights, glitters, colourful lanterns and symbols and animated objects.
7. Muntinlupa City
To promote culture and arts, Muntinlupa embarks on a vigorous campaign among its residents and visitors.
Tulyahan Festival
Fiesta sa Bayanan
Caracol
8.Navotas
A.Pangisdaan Festival (16 January)
This Navotas Day celebration is known as the Pangisdaan Festival and features a competition of float and streetdancing focuses the fishing industry which highlights the celebration. Costumes and props of participants are made up of indigenous or native materials for fishing like “baklad”, “kawayan”, “lambat”.
B.Mutya ng Navotas
Mutya ng Navotas o Araw ng Navotas is the celebration that highlights the city. It is a beauty and brain competition participated by young, beautiful and talented ladies. They were fourteen (14) candidates representing each barangays of the municipality.
C.Penitensiya (Holy Week – Brgy. Tanza and Bangculasi)
During Holy Week, religious activities were held every Holy Friday the “Penitensiya”. Mostly, devotees are men who acts of penitence by hitting their backs several times. Through those acts, devotees believe sins will be forgiven and express their deepest gratitude to the Creator for all the bounties and graces received.
D.Sagalahang Bayan (May Flower Festival)
A grand parade of the prettiest and loveliest ladies of Mutya ng Navotas with bountiful flower of complete “arkos” and “sagalas”.
9. NCR
A. NCR Photo and Product Exhibit (29 September to 01 October)
It is an exhibit of the different attractions , culture and products of Metro Manila by the National Capital Region’s 17 local government units of DOT’s. This activity is held at SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.
B.24-Hr. Mountain Bike Endurance Race
On the 23rd and 24th day of August, the city celebrated Mountain Bike Endurance Race at National Bilibid Prison Land Reserve Area, Muntinlupa City. This event will assess the mountain bikers skills in the varied crisscrossed paths of the NBP Land Reserve Area. This competition is participated by elite and amateur mountain biker and athlete from across the country.
10. Paranaque City
A. Feast of Sto. Niño (3rd Sunday of January)
Barangay Sto. Niño celebrated their fiest falls every 3rd Sunday of January. They have the procession of images of the Sto. Niño. The feast is named after the barangay.
B. Mga Anyo ng Kwaresma
A Lenten Processional Tableau Static, Pictorial and “Pasion”
Exhibit showcasing the rich religious and socio-cultural past and traditions of Parañaquense which its people have not severed themselves from their roots.
Linggo ng Palaspas or Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday)
Starts off the Holy Week with the usual metaphorical rendition of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, with the congregation bringing palm fronds to church so that it may be blessed. They would afterwards bring home the fronds and display them in their altars believing that it will aid in the plea for the forgiveness of sins and will bring blessings from above, keep illness away and ward off evil. But ultimately, the fronds main purpose is to serve as reminders of Christ’s passion and salvation of men.
C. Senakulo or Way of the Cross (Maundy Thursday / Good Friday)
A stage presentation / re-enactment of the Savior’s arrest, trial and painful way to calvary, crucifixion and death on the cross. Sometimes, there are real- life depictions – penitents cause themselves to be crucified – punishments borne to express sorrow for sin, to make up for a wrongdoing and obtain pardon.
D. Salubong/Easter Vigil & Pasko ng Pagkabuhay/Feast of the Resurrection (Easter Sunday)
The Easter festivity unfolds at dawn around five o’clock with a procession heralding the resurrection of Christ and His reunion with Mary. While the molded images of Mother and Son are placed side by side, a little girl dressed up like an angel replace the Blessed Virgin’s black veil of grief and mourning with white one as the Osana, a hymn of praise and adoration endemic to Parañaque, is sung. The Feast culminates with the celebration of a Holy Mass followed by the simultaneous rendition in the different barangays of Sayaw ng Pagbati also known to locals as “bati-bati” a “Welcome Dance” that is also a Parañaque original.
E. Bati (Easter Sunday)
The word originates from the Tagalog term PAGBATI, meaning to greet. The Bati has little girls dancing before the images of the Risen Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary in front of the church during the Easter rites, right after the SALUBONG.
F. Komedya / Moro-Moro (May)
Another theatrical drama which history dates back during the Spanish times. The theme centers on the animosity between Christians & Muslims in the beginning, and unity & brotherhood in the end. The presence of the vital elements in a drama like love, hate, war, religion and parental disputes make the Komedya spectacular not only because of the colorful costumes but also of the real and suggestive moments of the performers on stage. This traditional drama is usually performed during Barangay Fiestas. The origin of the Komedya is in Brgy. San Dionisio and is still a thriving cultural entertainment of Parañaque.
G. Sunduan (May)
The Filipino term for “fetching”�. This celebration in La Huerta features a parade of escorted young ladies holding colorful parasols. Brass bands fetch each pair and parade around the town.
H. Flores de Mayo & Santacruzan
Led by the vicariate and various parishes in the city, this citywide religious procession commemorating the finding of the Holy Cross is coordinated and supported by the City Government. For 18 consecutive days, the Jubilee Cross is transferred from one barangay parish church to another. In each barangay, people pray the rosary for 9 days and hold novenas as well as a procession with the fairest ladies in participation.
I. Nuestra Señora del Buensuceso (08 September)
Parañaque celebrates the canonization of Nuestra Sra. Del Buensuceso, patroness of the City. A special mass is held followed by a procession and entertainment program of the local followers.
J. Caracol / Feast of San Nicolas (10th day of September every other year)
The fluvial parade is in honor of Brgy. La Huerta’s patron saint San Nicolas de Tolentino. The devotees use cascos or large wooden barges to carry and ferry the image of the saint. This simple but festive atmosphere started way back during the period 1912.
K. Feast of San Dionisio (09 October)
A religious celebration wherein the Komedya or Moro-Moro is stage-played that brings added color to the feast.
… to be updated