The document provides descriptions of various festivals celebrated across the Philippines throughout the year. Some of the major festivals described include the Ati-Atihan festival in Aklan in January, which involves colorful costumes and dancing in honor of Santo Niño. The Sinulog festival in Cebu in January also honors Santo Niño with street dancing and a fluvial parade. In May, Santacruzan processions are held nationwide to commemorate St. Helena's finding of the True Cross. The Maskara festival in Bacolod in October features cultural shows, carnivals, and costumed street dancers celebrating Bacolod City's charter day.

1. January
Feast of the Black Nazarene
Date: January 9th Location: Quiapo, Manila
A grand Fiesta, this festival centers on the image of the Black
Nazarene which was transported by galleon from Mexico to Manila
in the 17th century. The festival is marked by an afternoon
procession by thousands of devotees.
Ati-Atihan
Date: January 16-22 Location: Kalibo, Aklan
One of the most popular of the Philippine festivals, the Ati-atihan is a
celebration in honor of the Sto. Niño. Revelers don colorful
costumes and paint their bodies black and dance to the distictive
beat of "Hala bira!" around the town.
Pasungay
Date: Every 2nd Saturday of January Location: San Joaquin, Iloilo
A festival of bulls on the hillsides of San Joaquin. Prized bulls from
the town and neighboring areas fight amidst wild cheering from
spectators.
Sinulog Festival
Date: Every third weekend of January Location: Cebu City, Cebu
The Feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated in Cebu with a procession,
street dancing competition and a fluvial parade. Much like the Ati-
atihan, the Sinulog Festival is marked by frenzied reverly to the
chant of "Pit Senor!"
Dinagyang
Date: Every fourth weekend of January Location: Iloilo City, Iloilo
Spectacle characterized by a frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic
drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in
unique costumes dancing and chanting all day and night.
Zambulawan
Date: Every third Sunday of January Location: Pagadian City,
Zamboanga del Sur
The founding of Pagadian City showcases the Subanon tribe's rich
cultural heritage by way of songs, dances and exhibits of musical
instruments.
February
Feast of Our Lady of Candles
Date: February 2 Location: Jara, Iloilo City
The biggest and most opulent religiuos pageanty in Western Visayas.
The blessing of candles and the yearly procession of the patroness, the
Nuestra Senora de Candelaria is followed by the fiesta queen and her
court which highlights the celebration.

2. March
Parraw Regatta
Date: First Sunday of March Location: Iloilo City
An exciting race among native outriggers in the strait
between Guimaras Island and Iloilo City. This is an
activity every summer hedged with rules, umpires and
kibitzers.
Eid-El-FITR Muslim Festival
March 9 - Region XII
A worldwide Muslim festival celebrating the end of the
month-long fasting period of the Holy Month of
Ramadam by the Muslims.
April
Via Crusis
Date: April 1 Location:
Cebu City
A lenten activity where
devotees from Cebu City
and its neighboring cities
and towns do their
penitential procession
through cities the Station
of the Cross built on 12
hectares of rolling hills.
the life-size statues of
the 14 Stations of the
Cross have been
patterned after the Way
of the Cross in Lourdes,
France.
Pak'kaat Kallo
Date: Holy Week
Location: Magpet,
Cotabato
An annual feast of the
Manobo tribal
community of Magpet in
celebration of a bountiful
harvest.
Moriones Festival
Date: Holy Week
Location: Boac, Magpoc,
Marinduque
One of the most famous
of Philippine festivals.
Colorfully garbed and
masked as Roman
soldiers and centurions,

3. locals reenact the life of
Longinus culminating in
his beheading. The
entire towns of Boac,
Morpog and Gasan are
virtually converted into
huge stages as the story
as Longinus unfolds.
Turumba
Date: Good Friday
Location: Pakil, Laguna
A procession of the
centuries-old image of
the Virgin Mary through
the streets, procession,
singing and dancing to
the Turumba.
Ang Pagtaltal sa
Guimaras
Date: Good Friday
Location: Jordan,
Guimaras
Lenten presentation on
the hillside of Jordan
with locals as actors.
This ala-
Oberrammergou event
has been attracting
hundreds of foreign and
domestic tourists: Local
devotees' visit usually
culminates in the trek to
"Balaan Bukid" or Holy
Mountain where a huge
cross is planted by the
chapel overlooking
Guimaras Strait and
Iloilo City.
Lamilamihan Festival
Date: 2nd or 3rd Week
of April Location:
Lamitan, Basilan
A yearly festival
coinciding with the
founding of Lamitan
Municipality; showcases
the traditional Yakan
customs and traditions,
music and dances, and
traditional crafts.
Manaoag Pilgrimage

4. Date: 2nd Week of April
Location: Pangasinan
Annual pilgrimage to the
Shrine of Our Lady of
Manaoag. Known to
local pilgrims / tourists
as miraculous, the
Virgin's image has
become one of
Manaoag's main
attractions. Pilgrims'
vehicles are blessed
every Saturday.
May
Pista'y Dayat
Date: May 1 Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan
A day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed all
over Pangasinan traditional with mass offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial
parade.
Santacruzan
Date: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Location: Nationwide
The Santacruzan is a procession commemmorating St. Helena's finding the
"True Cross"; preceded bya nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On the
ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena,
accompanied by a little boy representing King Constantine, and the other
sagalas representing biblical characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin,
walk under gaily decorated arches.
Carabao Festival
Date: May 14 - Location: Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao carts bearing
a myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to the strongest and most
beautifully decorated carabaos.
Pulillan Carabao
Date: May 14 Location: Pulilan, Bulacan
Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by theis farmer-owners on
the street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down homage to
San Isidro de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.
Pahiyas sa Quezon
Date: May 15 Location: Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon
Homes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped rice
kropeck) and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession and
other activities.
Obando Fertility Rites
Date: May 17 to 19 Location: Obando, Bulacan
A three day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta. Clara and
Nuestra Senora de Salambao. Childless couples, thankful parents, grateful
farmers and fishermen dance along the streets together with colorfully customed

5. women to pray for children and a good harvest.
Tapusan sa Kawit
Date: May 30 Location: Kawit, Cavite
A procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime honors
the Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town's most beautiful young ladies
symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.
Antipolo Pilgrimage
Date: May Location: Antipolo, Rizal
A month-long celebration that brings devotees and pilgrims to venerate the Lady
of Peace and Good Voyage enshrined in Antipolo Church and afterwards, picnic
to nearby Hinulugang Taktak.
June
Independence Day
Date: June 12 Location: Kawit,
Cavite
Independence Day Celebration,
marked by a flag raising
ceremony on the balcony of the
Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine, where
the first Philippine flag was
unfurled.
Parada ng Lechon
Date: June 24 Location:
Balayan, Batangas
The parading on the Feast of St.
John the Baptist of "dressed"
and decorated "lechons"
(roasted pigs) around town.
Revelers partake of the lechons
after the parade.
Pintados Festival
Date: June 29 Location:
Tacloban City
Street pageantry and contest
focusing on the Leyteños' old
custom of tattooing that signifies
courage and status in the
community.
July

6. Paaway sa Kabayo (Horsefight)
Date: July 25 and December 25 Location: Tanjay, Negros Orriental
An exciting, thrilling and oftentimes bloody fight among studs for
supremacy over a female horse. More than 100 horses have been
trained solely for this twice a year event.
Bocaue River Festival
Date: First Sunday of July Location: Bocaue, Bulacan
A famous river festival held in honor of the miraculous Cross of Bocaue
(Krus ng Wawa). During the fluvial procession, devotees ride in the
"pagoda" and douse each other with water.
August
Rajah Baguinda Festival
Date: 2nd Week of August Location: Jolo, Sulu
A three-day cultural show and festivites commemorating the arrival
of Rajah Baguinda who was responsible for the spread of Islam and
reinforcing the Sultanate Government in the Sulu Archipelago.
Kadayawan sa Dabaw
Date: 3rd Week of August Location: Davao City
A celebration of the bountiful harvests of fruits and orchids during
the season. Activities include fruit and flower show, trade fair,
tribal/civic/military parade, traditional sports activities, horsefight,
Search for B'yaneng Kadayawan and street dancing.
September
Lemlunay (T'Boli Tribal Festival)
Date: September 16-18 Location: Lake Sebu, South Cotabato
An annual authentic T'boli tribal festival staged at Lake Sebu.
Features tribal rituals that start at early down amidst sounds of
gongs and native music, culminating at the town plaza where
cultural dances and ethic sports like horsefight are held.
Feast of Nuestra Senorra Penafrancia
Date: 3rd Saturday of September Location: Naga City,
Camarines Sur
A religious festival held in hornor of the Feast of Our Lady of
Peñafrancia. Bicol's most revered patrones highlighted by the
fluvial procession of the Lady's image down the Bicol river.
The week-long-celebration includes civic-military parade,
sportsfests, exhibits, cultural shows, beauty pageants and
colorful competitions.
October

7. Maskara Festival
Date: October 19 Location: Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
The biggest annual event that reflects the Bacoleños love for fun and
gaiety. Coinciding with Bacolod City's charter day celebration, the
festival features sports competitions, cultural programs, carnivals,
beauty contest and a long Mardi grasstyle costumed and masked
street dancers.
Ibalong Festival
Date: October 19-22 Location: Legaspi City
A celebration depicting Bicol's early beginnings as portrayed in the
"Ibalong" epic that tells of super heroes Handiong, Batlog and Oryol
and villains and wild animals that roamed in the ancient times. In music
and dances, revelers parade on the main streets wearing masks of
these heroes and villains. Festival activities include tours, trade fairs,
exhibits and beauty pageants.
La Naval De Manila
Date: 2nd Sunday of October Location: Sto. Domingo, Quezon City
A festival revolving around the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La
Naval carved in 1533 and given as a gift to the Dominican Fathers.
Borne on an elaborately decorated and well-lit carriage in the form of a
ship, the venerated image is brought out of the church preceded by a
dozen or so images of Dominican saints. The procession goes around
the main streets of Sto. Domingo parish and then returns to the church
amidst applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.
November
Feast of San Clemente/Higantes Festival
Date: November 22-23 Location: Angono, Rizal
Angono's joyous fiesta in honor of San Clemente whose
image, resplendent in papal vestment, is borne by male
devotees during a procession accompanied by "pahadores
(devotees dressed in colorful local costumes, wooden shoes
and carrying boat paddles) and higantes" (giant paper mache
effigies) The street event culminates in a fluvial procession in
Laguna de Bay amidst revelry that continues until the image
is brought back to its sanctuary.
Grand Cordillera Festival
Date: November Location: Baguio City
One of the region's major events held annualy featuring the
gathering of tribes in a week-long event to "celebrate life"
marked by tribal dancing and performances of thanksgiving
rituals.
December
Marian Procession
Date: December 8 Location: Intramuros, Manila
A revival of religious tradition with more than 60 images of the Blessed Virgin Mary from various parishes
and provinces paraded.
Pagdidiwata

8. Date: December 8 Location: Puerto Princessa, Palawan
A thanks giving celebration by the Tagbanua natives of Palawan in ritual dances and food offerings to
their deities and souls of departed kin
Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion
Date: December 8 Location: Intramuros, Manila
An Eucharistic celebrabration of the Feast Day of the La Immaculada, patroness of Intramuros, capped
by a grand procession of more than 50 Marian images from all over the country and participated in by
thousands of devotees.
Bikol Pastores
Date: December 18 Location: Legazpi City, Albay
A unique Christmas celebration believed to have originated in the province where "pastores" - young men
and women dressed in colorful shepherd costumes - joyfully dance and sing "Pastores a Belen" through
the city streets.
San Fernando Giant Lantern Festival
Date: December Location: Ermita, Manila
A fiesta in honor of one of the oldest Marian images in the country (it was found by Legazpi's soldiers
amidst the foliage of a pandan shrub on the shores of Ermita in 1571) - the La Nuestra Señora de Guia,
patroness of seafarers and also known as Our Lady of Expectations. The main event of the fiesta is the
Bota de Flores, a reenactment of a select group of young ladies and their escorts in sailor costumes of
the procession returning the La Nuestra Señora de Guia to its reconstructed shrine in 1918.
Binirayan Festival
Date: December 28-30 Location: San Jose, Antique
A festive commemoration of an episode in the history of the Filipino race through colorful pageants acted
on the beaches of Maybato in San Jose and Malandog in Hamtik. Particularly interesting is the drama of
the first Malay settlement at malandog which runs for several days and nights. Binirayan is also an
occasion of reunion with families, relatives and friends of homecoming Antiqueno expatriates.