Fili-festivals: Filipinos Know How to Celebrate

A Photo Journey by Arlene Donaire

 The Filipinos surely know how to celebrate no matter what the adversities are! Throughout history, Pinoys have demonstrated a unique sense of unity through their shared optimism and love for life, an admirable trait that is depicted in all the festivals and fiestas that are celebrated across the country year-round. The diversity that divides the Philippines into its many geo-political, ethnic, and religious communities is the same thread that unites the Filipinos in their shared yearning to celebrate. There is always a reason or basis to celebrate.

[caption id="attachment_3272" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Sinulog in Cebu, the biggest of festivals in the Philippines.[/caption]

Philippine festivals and fiestas, as numerous as they are, offer a unique source of pride and joy, for the folks in each locality where they are held. They are a welcome respite from the humdrum of daily life but more importantly a collective mark of a nation whose communal psyche is boosted by its strong faith, resilience, and aspiration to rise from the adversities that beset the country year in, year out. The festivities can range from simple to grandiose, solemn to frenzied, and sometimes even elevated to an official holiday category, depending on whether it coincides with a government proclamation like the “chartering” or creation of a city or honoring a person who figured significantly in the country’s history.  Festivals are made more attractive in that they naturally set off a chain of benefits for the locales where they occur as they trigger the local economies into action, even months ahead of the actual event, spurring commercial investments, engendering government support for public infrastructure, and enhancing tourism. 

[caption id="attachment_3273" align="alignright" width="300"] Aliwan in Manila[/caption]

For the year 2014, as in past years, the Filipinos continue to enliven the country with a celebration of long-held traditional festivals that are religious and ethno-cultural in nature and those that have been promoted in recent years in keeping with the country’s tourism and economic programs. For the many Filipinos who live and work abroad and foreign tourists that plan to visit the country this year, here is just a sampling of the more popular festivals with their tentative dates and venues. There usually is a dedicated website for these events, so make sure to check online for final details.

It’s more fun in the Philippines; celebrate at least one Fili-festival this year!

January        

·         Feast of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo, Manila; 9^th)

·         Sinulog Festival (Cebu City; 13^th to 19^th)

·         Ati-Atihan Festival (Kalibo, Aklan; 19^th to 26^th)

·         Dinagyang Festival (Iloilo, 26^th)

February

·         Philippine Hot Air Balloon Festival (Clark; 13^th to 16^th)

·         Panagbenga Festival (Baguio City; 26^th)

[caption id="attachment_3278" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Maskara Festival in Bacolod City[/caption]

March

Paraw Regatta (Iloilo; 2^nd)

Sandugo Festival (Tagbilaran, Bohol; 15^th)

April

Moriones Festival (Marinduque; 14^th)

May

Pahiyas Festival (Lucban; 15^th)

June

Mudpack Festival (Murcia, Negro Occ; 14^th)

Parada ng Lechon (Balayan, Batangas; 29^th)

Pintado/Kasadyaan Festival (Tacloban City; 29^th)

July

Bocaue River Festival (Bocaue, Bulacan; 1^st Sunday)

August

Kadayawan Festival (Davao City; 23^rd to 24^th)

September

Penafrancia Viva La Virgen (Naga City; 20^th)

October

Talulot Festival (St Therese of Cjild Jesus Parish, Pasay City; Oct 6^th)

Lanzones Festival (Camiguin; 18^th)

Masskara Festival (Bacolod City; 18^th to 19^th)

November

Higantes Festival (Angono, Rizal; 23^rd)

Grand Cordillera Festival (Baguio City; 23^rd)

December

Immaculate Conception (Intramuros, Manila; 8^th)

Giant Lantern Festival (San Fernando, Pampanga; 20^th)

[caption id="attachment_3274" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Panagbenga in Baguio[/caption]

(Originally published in FilJap Magazine January 2014. Visit Arlene’s Facebook page Foto Zubuano for more of her photos.)

Christmas in the East and West

By Marivir R. Montebon

I grew up celebrating Christmas in the most joyous of ways in my home country, the Philippines, which lies in the Far East.  In fact, my heart can still vividly recall the jubilation of my youth during this season. It has molded many of us that at this time, we think of what gifts to give our friends, parents, and teachers.  It is also the time of family get-togethers, and of parties with friends and work colleagues. Despite the year-long challenges and difficulties, most Filipinos look forward to Christmas as a time of togetherness and gratitude. This value I so hold dear, despite my relocation in the US.

The Philippines is host to the longest Christmas celebration in the world. When the Roman calendar enters the "ber" months (September, October, November, and December) up until January of the following year, it is Christmas in the Philippines.  The long celebration is not surprising because the Philippines is the only predominantly Catholic country in Asia, being a colony of the Spain for over 300 years.

Spain and America have made the celebration of Christmas in my country highly religious and yes, highly commercial. But in that outright imposition of power and influence, lies the personal impact of thoughtfulness and unity that bind families and friends together. It has become a welcome culture among us, and has meant to have some functionality in our practical lives.

For someone growing up in the merriment of Christmas, any attempt to equalize its celebration with the other holidays in the name of religious equality (at least by one atheist group) in the US, is to me unnecessary, insensitive, and truly disrespecting.

American leaders have so much major concerns to get busy themselves with, instead of working on legislation to stop the greeting of Merry Christmas or changing the name Christmas tree into something else. I just wish they let the culture of faith and positivity, which is getting more and more scarce these days, thrive.

The issue at hand is not much on religious equality, but rather supporting, instead of suppressing each religious celebration's expression of unity and faith.

Christmas in the East and West may have clearly distinct faces and depth. In the US, one could get drowned by the spectacle of bright neon Christmas lights and fireworks and awesome extravaganzas of stage shows, and short-time parties.



In the East, one could just be touched by a community of neighbors who have long lived the tradition of potluck Christmas parties. The sharing of food and organized gift giving have strengthened their bonds of fraternity.

Despite the differences, the message of the man larger than life, whose influence has spanned more than 2000 years, is about sacrificial love and sharing and giving. This value never goes old-fashion or outmoded. It is the continuous call of the day, it is what the world hungers from.

And so, Merry Christmas! Let it be.

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