Knowing About the Festivals in the Philippines Will Help to Plan the Perfect Holiday

There are various ways in which you could get to know about a new culture and people in a new country. One such method is through the festivals they celebrate. If you plan the Philippines holidays accordingly, the chance to see the place in a completely different way than the rest of the world will be yours. It will also provide an opportunity to witness impressive spectacles of native festivals.

Checking the Options

If you enjoy visiting a country and get to know the people, the culture and take part in the festivities, then the Philippines comes with several exciting options.

The festivals that you need to know about are:

1. Festival of Black Nazarene

The statue of Jesus is commemorated as the Black Nazarene. It is believed that light skinned Nazarene turned dark due to the fire he survived while making the journey from Mexico to the Philippines. This festival is celebrated on the 9th of January every year. During the celebration, the statue of Jesus is taken from its resting place for a procession from the Minor Basilica in Quiapo. Several million devotees take part in the festival every year.

2. Ati-Atihan

If you want to trace down the origin of this festival, you will be directed to the 13th century. It is a weeklong celebration similar to Mardi Gras. The festival began with a group of fair-skinned Malay immigrants paying homage to the darker Ati locals. The event got augmented during Spanish rule of the islands and included a tribute towards Santo Niño or Jesus, the Child. The celebrations take place in Kaliba during the third week of January every year.

3. Sinulog Festival

It is a Thanksgiving celebration, and it takes place on the third Sunday of January. The celebration happens in Cebu city and is one of the largest festivities in the honour of Baby Jesus. The festival is about the acceptance of Christianity. The main event consists of shuffling dance prayer that is conducted through a grand parade where the participants wear brightly coloured costumes.

4. Dinagyang Festival

This festival can turn your Philippines holidays unique. Quite similar to the Ati-Atihan celebration, it happens on the fourth Sunday of January. People who take part in the parade are painted in black and are dressed in tribal warrior wear. They beat drums, dance, chant, and stomp late into the night in the honour of Baby Jesus.

5. Panagbenga Flower Festival

During February of every year, this festival takes place in Baguio City. To celebrate the occasion, people dress in colourful costumes in the reminiscence of the highland flowers and tribes. The growing season is then marked with native dancing and parades.

If you make proper plans, you can end up having a gala time at the festivities in the various islands of the Philippines.