1. Dinagyang. IloIlo
What is it? Dinagyang means “Merry Making” and its a celebration held in honor of the Santo Niño
A lot of festival enthusiasts believe that Dinagyang is one of the BEST Festivals in the Philippines.
The Dinagyang Festival is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog in Cebu and the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.
Although the celebration still has that quaint, provincial city-feel, the Ati-Atihan dance productions are among the best I’ve seen in street dance festivals in the Philippines. They are the Grand Champions in the Aliwan Festival (Manila-based competition for all the street dance festivals).
Celebration
The Dinagyang Festival is divided into three major events held annually every fourth weekend of January: Ati Tribe Competition (held on a Sunday), Kasadyahan Cultural Competition (held on a Saturday prior to the main event the next day, the Ati Tribe competition) and the Miss Iloilo Dinagyang (which is held on the week of the main Dinagyang Festival highlights).
2. Sinulog Festival, Cebu
What is it? SINULOG is a dance ritual in honor of the miraculous image of the Santo Niño. The name pertains to the strong current movement of the Cebu River which is re-enacted in the dance.
Sinulog in Cebu is the biggest festival in the Philippines, celebrating the feast of the Child Jesus, Santo Niño de Cebú, with a dance ritual to the beat of the drums. Held every third Sunday of January, it is the largest and most attended fiesta in the country with an all-day-long parade and party.
The Sinulog-Santo Niño Festival is an annual cultural and religious festival held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City, and is the center of the Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the Philippines. Other places like Kabankalan City, Maasin City, Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, Cagayan de Oro City, Butuan City, and Southern Leyte also have their own version of the festival in honor of Santo Niño.
3. Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo, Aklan
What is it? ATI-ATIHAN means “to become like Aetas” which is originally a pagan animist festival that the Spaniards adapted in honor of the Sto. Niño
Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan is the mother of all the big Sto. Niño festivals of Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang in Iloilo. It’s the biggest fiesta that is “non-commercialized” and stays true to its Filipino Fiesta vibe. It’s a “participative fiesta” where you dance with the performers vs. a “spectator fiesta” where you just watch in the sidelines. They say you have not experienced a Filipino fiesta unless you’ve been to Ati-Atihan.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Niño (Infant Jesus), concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. The name “Ati-Atihan” means “to be like Atis” or “make believe Ati’s”. Itas were the primary settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.[1]
The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions. It has inspired many other Philippine Festivals including the Sinulog Festival of Cebu and Dinagyang of Iloilo City, both adaptations of the Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan Festival, and legally holds the title “The Mother of All Philippine Festivals” in spite of the other two festivals’ claims of the same title.
Ati-Atihan means “to become like Aetas” or in modern terms an “Ati Cosplay“. It was originally a pagan animist festival that the Spaniards adapted in honor of the Sto. Niño celebrated every third sunday of January.
4. Pahiyas Festival, Lucban, Quezon
What is it? A Harvest Thanksgiving Festival to San Isidro Labrador, the Patron Saint of Farmers
Pahiyas is one of the most awesome fiestas in the country. It falls on the feast day of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers to show gratitude for a good and abundant harvest. It is celebrated in Lucban (most popular and commercialized), Sariaya, Tayabas and other towns in Quezon.
5. Cutud Cruxificions, San Fernando, Pampanga
What is it? A Holy Week Re-enactment of the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ
6. Masskara Festival, Bacolod
What is it? A Masquerade Party to lift up the spirits of the Bacolod people after the Sugar Crisis in 1980’s. It’s name comes from English word “mass” meaning “multitude of people”, and Spanish word “kara” meaning “face”.
7. Panagbenga Festival, Baguio
What is it? A Flower Festival whose name “Panagbenga” comes from local Kankana-ey term in Cordillera meaning “a season or time for blossoming”
PANAGBENGA is a local Kankana-ey term in Cordillera, which means “a season for blossoming or a time for blooming“, coined by Ike Picpican, curator of the Saint Louis University Museum in 1997.
8. Hot-Air Balloon Festival, Clark, Pampanga
What is it? A 4-day Hot Air Balloon and Everything that Flies Festival
The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is one of the passion festivals in the country that I absolutely enjoy. It celebrates the passion for flying and highlights the love for Hot Air Balloons.
It was started after the US Military left Clark Air Base to boost tourism and the morale of the community around Clarkfield, Pampanga.
9. Kadayawan Festival, Davao
What is it? A Thanksgiving Harvest Festival to celebrate the harvest of Davao’s fruits, flowers, and farm produce
KADAYAWAN SA DABAW is an annual thanksgiving harvest festival in Davao. It is held every 3rd Weekend of August to celebrate the harvest of Davao’s fruits, flowers, and farm produce.
10. LigLigan Parul, San Fernando, Pampanga
What is it? It’s a Giant Lantern Competition among the different Barangays in San Fernando, Pampanga
Another awesome festival is the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando Pampanga, which is locally known as Ligligan Parul. Ivan Henares previously hosted us the first time we attended and even gave us free guest passes in the reserved seating section. Ivan has a very popular post about Pampanga’s pride. He was the chairman of the Giant Lantern Festival in 2003 so he was able to give us all the juicy details about this fiesta. If you haven’t seen this, this is one of those moments where you will be proud of the Filipino’s creativity and hard work.
Official Web. : http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2014/01/fiesta-10-most-awesome-fiestas-of-the-philippines.html
It's More fun in the Philippines 