THE PHILIPPINES

FESTIVALS AND OTHER

CELEBRATIONS
CHAPTER 3
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
● Identify Philippine festivals and observances;
● Promote Philippine festivals
● Exhibit national pride in sharing relevant
information about a festival.
INTRODUCTIO
N
The Philippines has a very rich culture and
traditions as observed in its festivals and
other celebrations or observances. Some
are small while some draw a huge local and
international crowd. These events make the
country worth visiting for, aside from what
it can offer with its rich man-made and
natural attractions.

Visiting a place in the country and

witnessing their festival celebration is a
one-of-a-kind experience for both local and
international tourists, It can never be
ignored because it offers various activities
where travelers can partake.
 Festivals and Other
Observances
Like other countries, the Philippines offers various festivities
that local and international tourists will surely love and enjoy.
These events gather people from different places which makes
event planners and organizers busy to be able to encourage
them to visit a particular place.

As future event professionals, your knowledge of these festivities

will help you become more in demand because you can prepare
planning relevant activities for your clients. If you are part of the
organizers of these events, it would help you conceptualize a
better activity sequence that will make the viewers feel excited
and contented with their experience.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Sinulog country:
01 Festival
Every third Sunday of January; Cebu

This is the biggest celebration in Cebu

in honor of the Holy Child, the Sto. Niño
de Cebu. People come together along
the route of a grand solemn procession
and participate in the gaiety amidst a
mardi-gras-type parade immersed in
wild colors with the beats of the drum.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Ati-Atihancountry:
02 Every thirdFestival
Sunday of January;
Kalibo, Aklan

This is a week-long celebration consisting of

multiple events happening in various parts of
Kalibo town. It has all kinds of events that
tourists will enjoy and love -from solemn
masses, loud marching bands, to even partying
on the streets. This honors the Patron Saint
Sto. Niño (Infant Jesus). The festival means
'making like Atis,' or pretending to be like the
aboriginal natives that once inhabited the
province.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Dinagyang country:

03 Festival
Every Fourth Sunday of January;
Iloilo

This is one of the largest and world-

class festivals in the country that
traces the history of devotion to the
Holy Child Jesus popularly known to
Filipino devotees as Sr. Sto. Niño. It also
commemorates the feast of the pact
between the Datus and the locals.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
country:
Taytay Hamaka
04 Festival
Third Week of February; Taytay Rizal

This is a seven-day and one of the

most awaited events for the residents
of Taytay. It showcases the artistry of
Taytayenos thus attracting tourists to
witness this. It also features the quality
of life and culture of the people in
Taytay as well as their craftsmanship
and various talents.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Philippine
country:
International Hot Air
05 Between
Balloon Festival
January and February; in
Clark Freeport Zone, Angeles
Pampanga

This is an annual four-day and the

biggest and longest-running sports
event in the country. It offers air-
sporting events like hot-air balloon
competition, aircraft maneuvers and
precision flying, sky diving, aircraft
rally, flag jump, and balloon bursting
competition.
 Some ofPhilippine
the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Internationalcountry:
Pyromusical
06 Competition
Every Saturday Night over six weeks from
the beginning of February; SM Mall of Asia

Formerly known as the World Pyro

Olympics, this is an annual event that
showcases a spectacle of lights and
colors as staged by the world's leading
pyrotechnic experts. Teams from the
country, France, Germany, United
Kingdom, Canada, China, and Australia
put songs to fireworks being displayed. It
also presents the artistry and
sophistication of Philippine fireworks
technology.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Pinagbengacountry:
07 Festival
Every February; Baguio City

This is an annual month-long flower

festival commonly known as
Panagbenga, a term that means
blooming season. This celebration of
the local flora reflects the history,
traditions, and values of Baguio andt
the Cordilleras.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
country:

08 Holy Week
March and April

Normally falling in between March and

April, this is a week-long event to honor
Jesus Christ's death on the cross. This
is a time of reflection and solemnity for
the people around the world
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Pahiyas country:
09 Festival
May 15; Quezon

This is one of the country's largest and

most colorful and best-known harvest
festivals. This is celebrated by the towns
of Tiaong, Gumaca, Tayabas, Sariaya, and
Lucena City to honor San Isidro Labrador,
the patron of farmers. The celebration is
showcased by decorations called "Kiping"
', or leaf-shaped and multicolored rice
paste wafers. Along with fruits and colorful
flowers, these are used to decorate the
facades of the houses to intensify the
celebration.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Pintados- country:
Kasadyahan
10 Festival
June 29; Tacloban City

This festival is based on the body-

painting traditions of the ancient
tattooed "pintados" warriors.Visitors
can witness the dancers with paint on
their bodies in patterns that look like
armor to represent past warriors. This
event is also known as the "Festival of
Festivals," held during the day of the
Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Leyte.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Kadayawancountry:
11 Festival
Every 3rd week of August; Davao

This is an annual festival in Davao

where the people celebrate the
goodness of life. This is also a
thanksgiving for the gifts of nature, as
well as the wealth of their culture.
People also are proud of the bounties
of harvest and peacefulness of living in
their city.
 Some of the commonly celebrated festivals in the
Masskaracountry:
12 Festival
Every third Sunday of January; Cebu

This is one of the biggest and oldest

events in the Philippines. For over 30
years, this has been giving local and
international tourists the chance to
have fun, drink, and party on the
streets of Bacolod City. In this event,
people wear smiling face masks,
colorful costumes, and unique
accessories, as they parade and dance
on the streets of the city
 Taking Advantage of Festivals
and Other Observances
Events planning is never an easy task for planners and organizers.
Being able to come up with the best activities during festivals and
other celebrations will help them gather crowds from different
places. More importantly, these visitors will probably visit them once
again when the experience they had at a festival is worth to be
repeated. As always believed, the word of mouth is the most effective
marketing method that organizers never ask from their clients.

It is, therefore, important for event planners and organizers to be

able to take advantage of the best things possible in conceptualizing
activities that will form part of the festival. Being able to plan better
will surely mark the taste of the clients.
 Thanks!
• Amacan, Marian Cloe
• Arollado, Trisha
• Berjamin, Trisha Joy
• De Egunola, Yvonnie
• Martinez, Kristine
• Vallar, Kertneh