Christmas in the Philippines is a mixture of Western and native Filipino traditions. Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, sending Christmas cards, and singing carols have all been inherited from the cultures of the West. However, these have all been adapted to fit the nature and personality of the Filipino people.
Christmas Eve in the Philippines is one of the traditions most families celebrate. It is a night without sleep and a continuous celebration moving right into Christmas Day. As December 24th dawns, the last Mass of Simbang Gabi is attended; then preparation begins for Noche Buena, which is a family feast that takes place after midnight.
The Noche Buena is very much like an open house celebration. Family, friends, relatives, and neighbors drop by to wish every family member "Maligayang Pasko" (Merry Christmas). Food is in abundance, often served in buffet style. Guests or visitors partake of the food prepared by the host family (even though they are already full or bloated!). Among the typical foods prepared in the Philippines during Christmas are: lechon (roasted pig), pancit, barbecue, rice, adobo, cakes (Western and native rice cakes), lumpia, etc.
SOURCE: http://www.seasite.niu.edu/Tagalog/Cynthia/festivals/philippine_christmas.htm
PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS
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 Candleria
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.
MARCHParraw 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.
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, 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
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 CarabaoDate: May 14 Location: Pulilan, BulacanHundreds 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 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
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, SuluA 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 CityA 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.
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 SurA 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
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 ritual.
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.
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.
SOURCE: http://www.asiatravel.com/philfestival.html
SIMBANG GABI
Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace.
SOURCE: http://www.rcam.org/library/SIMBANG_GABI.htm
PHILIPPINE WEDDINGTraditionally, wedding expenses are paid for by the groom's family in the Philippine setting, unlike in some western cultures. But more and more couples contribute their share from their hard-earned savings. Some couples even shoulder the entire wedding expense themselves. It normally follows that whoever foots the bill has the final say on how big the wedding will be and has the 'majority stake' on the guest list.
SOURCE: http://www.weddingsatwork.com/index.php/pinoy-wedding-facts-trivia/
PHILIPPINE FIESTA
The fiesta is part and parcel of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the Filipino fiesta must go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast of its patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country.
SOURCE: http://www.livinginthephilippines.com/philculture/philippine_articles/filipino_fiesta_celebration.html
