Summer Festivities in the Philippines

Foreigners and travelers remember the tagline, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”. It doesn’t just mean white sand beaches and friendly people. It’s also a representation of the festivities Filipinos celebrate all year round.

The diversity of culture, beliefs and traditions of the Filipinos is anchored on its history, from the ethic tribal origins to the Spanish occupation. It’s no surprise that every province in the country’s 7,107 islands has their own version of “fiesta” they celebrate every month– each one showing off colorful traditions that from the different provinces of the Philippines.

With the summer season just around the corner, here’s a list of the Top 10 most anticipated Summer Festivities you shouldn’t miss!

A Brief History about Festivals in the Philippines

When the Spaniards came to the Philippines, one of their key purpose s, aside from colonizing the island, is to convert its inhabitants to Christianity. However, during their conquest, Filipinos refused to be converted. To capture the Filipinos hearts, they used their culture of celebration through fiestas to introduce the Catholic faith. It is through these vibrant processions and religious themed stage plays that they were able to convert Filipinos to Christianity.

The Spaniards assigned a specific day to celebrate the life of a saint or religious event. This appealed to old Filipino beliefs that gaining the favor of gods or holy beings will give theman advantage in life.This is why worshipping offerings and extravagant celebrations are performed in order to show gratitude to the provinces’ patron saints. These rituals are often done to pray for a good harvest season, safety from calamities, and granting of personal wishes and requests.

Types of Festivals Celebrated in the Philippines

Whether it’s honoring a patron saint or a historical event, the Philippines never runs out of occasion to celebrate. With every part of the country celebrating at least one festival each year, the list is endless. To help and guide tourist, travelers and locals, here’s a guide to fiestas in the Philippines.

Religious Festivals

According to National Statistics Office (NSO) data of 2010, 81% of Filipinos are Catholic. The Filipinos’ faith is greatly affected by the 300 year colonization of Spain. “Semana Santa” or the Holy week is considered to be the most celebrated religious event in the country.

Semana Santa is an important week-long religious observance that starts with the Palm Sunday until Easter Sunday. During Palm Sunday, people bring their Palaspas or palm fronds to be blessed by the priest. After the mass, these Palaspas are placed on the door or window of the house to drive away evil spirits. It is followed by Miyérkules Santo or Holy Wednesday where people (mostly from the Provinces) hold a procession on the Passion of Christ.

The following day is the start of the Holy Triduum. Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday celebrates 3 events; blessing of the oil, washing of the feet of the 12 apostles, and Visita Iglesia. It is also during Holy Thursday that the last mass before Easter Sunday is celebrated.

Observance of the Holy Week continues on with Biyernes Santo or Black Saturday. It is on this day that the church commemorates the 7 last words of Jesus (Siete Palabras). His way to the cross is presented in a street play called Cenaculo. Filipinos use this event to express their Penance and to some extent, havethemselves nailed on the cross the same way Jesus did. Re-enacting the crucifixion is a highlight in one of the Barangays in San Fernando Pampanga. The final event for the day is the Pabasawhich narrates the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.

Sábado de Gloria or Black Saturday is a day of solemnity and silence to mourn the death of Christ. On the night of Black Saturday, parishioners prepare for Easter by holding a vigil.

Linggó ng Pagkabuhayor Easter Sunday is a celebration to remember Christ’s resurrection from the dead. It starts with a pre-dawn Salubong of Christ’s resurrection. It is followed by a festive celebration that starts with a mass then the procession of Virgin Mary and Risen Christ to honor the reunion of Christ and his mother.

Other Christian festivities that Filipinos celebrate are the Misa de Gallo or Simbang Gabi which is a 9-day mass in anticipation of Christ’s birth, Feast of the Black Nazarene, Ati-Atihan Festival, Feast of Nuestra Señora de Peñafrancia, and Flores de Mayo among others.

Food Festivals

The Filipinos are known for its affinity with eating. Most of the provinces in the country are famous for the different specialties and delicacies that both locals and foreigners alike enjoy. Foodies have more than 7,107 reasons to celebrate. Besides, what’s a festival without a feast?

Luzon is known for these food festivals:

1. The Longganisa Festival and Bawang Festival at Ilocos Sur
2. Suman Festival at Aurora Baler in February
3. Itik Festival at Victoria Laguna in November
4. Kapeng Barako Festival at Lipa, Batangas in December.

Foodies can enjoy these events in Visayas too:

1. Manggahan Festival at Guimaras, Iloilo in April
2. Alimango Festival at Sta. Margarita Samar in July
3. Dinagat Festival in Cordova, Cebu that highlights the fishing livelihood of the town as well as the rich resource of Bakassi (a type of eel).

Mindanao also showcases its delicacies in these famous festivals:

1. Tuna Festival at General Santos, South Cotabato in September
2. Lanzones Festival at Mambajao, Camiguin in October
3. Banana Festival that is celebrated in Davao del Norte during the first of July, which actually coincides with the founding of the city.

Cultural Festivals

Every region in the country has its own story and each has different set of beliefs and traditions that makes each province distinct.

Bacolod for example is known as “The City of Smile”. However, during the 1980s, the province was struck hard. First, the economy of the province dwindled because its main livelihood, sugar production, was replaced with imported sugar alternatives from the US. In addition, the MV Don Juan accident happened, killing many of its locals. To bring back the cheerful spirit of the province, the MassKara Festival was born. During the festival, people flock the streets of Bacolod city wearing colorful “smiling-face” masks and costumes accompanied by a street dance parade.

Another famous cultural festival is the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio city to celebrate floral season of the province. It is also said that the festival memorializes the city’s rise from the disastrous earthquake that hit Luzon in 1990. Every February, people go up North to the City of Pines to witness the beautiful display of floats that are adorned with the provinces’ best flowers.Flower inspired dress and costumes are also featured in the street dancing activities.

Other cultural festivals include Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo, Pahiyas Festival in Quezon, Kadayawan Festival in Davao, Buyogan Festival in Leyte.

Top 10 Summer Festivities in the Philippines

Whether you are visiting Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao, you will never run out of vibrant celebrations to experience and remember. What better way to spice up your summer getaway than witnessing the country’s festivities that reflects the Philippines’ rich culture and heritage.