Most Popular Philippine Fiestas

Filipinos love fiesta. Almost everyday, there's a fiesta being celebrated in the Philippines. Here's the list of most popular Philippine fiestas:

1. Sinulog Festival - This Philippine fiesta is celebrated every 3rd week of January in Cebu City in honor of Cebu's patron saint, the Sto. Nino (child Christ). This fiesta is a local version of Mardi Gras. There's processions, street dancing and parades.

2. Ati-Atihan Festival - This Philippine fiesta starts from the 16th to the 22nd of January in Kalibo, Aklan. Revelers masquerading as Negritos in colorful costumes, dance to the beat of drums while chanting "Hala Bira".

3. Moriones Festival - This Philippine fiesta is based on a play about the story of Longinus, the centurion whose blind eye is cured by a drop of Jesus Christ blood. Actors wear colorful wooden mask and dressed as Roman soldiers. This fiesta is reenacted during the Holy Week in Boac, Marinduque.

4. Flores de Mayo - This Philippine fiesta is held nationwide during the month of May. This commemorates the search of the holy cross by Reyna Elena and her son, the emperor Constantine. This fiesta is marked by a parade of maidens escorted by young men under floral arches. The main participant represents Reyna Elena and her son, the emperor Constantine.

5. Pulilan Carabao Festival - This Philippines fiesta is held every 4th of May in Pulilan, Bulacan. Hundreds of festively adorned carabao are paraded by the farmers on the street leading to the church. There they are made to kneel down to pay homage to San Isidro, the Patron saint of farmers.

6. Pahiyas - This Philippine fiesta is held every 15th of May, farm families give thanks to San Isidro for a good harvest by decorating their houses with brightly colored rice wafers called kiping. 7. Obando Fertility Rites - This Philippines fiesta is held from May 17-19 in Obando, Bulacan. Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child. The pilgrims dance to San Pascual Baylon, Santa Clara de Assisi or the Virgen de Salambao for their wishes.

8. Pintados Festival - Every 29th of June in Tacloban, Leyte, town folks parade through town with colorful body paint to recall their ancient warrior tradition where tattoos represented bravery and prestige.

9. Sandugo Festival - This Philippine fiesta celebrates the blood compact between local Chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Captain General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi. This festival is celebrated with street dancing, shows, trade fairs, beauty contest and other activities. This is a month long celebration culminating at Tagbilaran City, Bohol on the 3rd week of July.

10. Kadayawan sa Dabaw - This Philippine fiesta is held every 3rd week of August in Davao City. This festival is celebrated to give thanks to the bounty of fruits and flowerers as the waling-waling orchid blooms. Colorful floats are bedecked with beautiful orchids and other flowers in the grand parade.

11. Feast of Nuestra Senora de Penafrancia - This Philippine fiesta is celebrated every 3rd Saturday of September in Naga, Camarines Sur, Bicol Region. The highlights of this festival is the grand fluvial parade where the image of the Lady of Penafrancia is carried through the river aglow with floating candles.

12. Masskara Festival - This Philippine festival is held every 3rd week of October in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. Mask-making put a quaint accent on the festivities to mark Bacolod City's charter day. Brass bands, beauty contests, and parades are held before the evening's highlight of street dance where folks wear their beautiful mask.

Start your festival journey. Experience in a deeper way the Filipino culture and tradition. Enjoy and share with us your amazing festival stories. 😊