1. Cariñosa
The loving or affectionate one is a Philippine dance ofHispanicorigin from the Maria Clara
suite of Philippine folk dances, where thefanorhandkerchiefplays an instrumental role as it
places the couple in romance scenario.
2. La Jota Manileña
It is a dance named after the capital city of the Philippines, Manila, where an adaptation of
Castilian Jota a floats with the clacking of bamboo castanets played by the dancers
themselves. The costume and the graceful movements of the performers noticeably inspired
by Spanish Culture.
3. Maglalatik
Is an indigenous dance from thePhilippinesin which coconut shell halves that are secured
onto the dancers' hands and on vests upon which are hung four or six more coconut shell
halves. The dancers - all male - perform the dance by hitting one coconut shell with the
other - sometimes the ones on the hands, sometimes, the ones on the body, and sometimes
the shells worn by another performer, all in time to a fast drumbeat. Like many native
Filipino dances, it is intended to impress the viewer with the great skill of the dancer, and in
someFilipino Martial Arts(FMA) circles, it has been noted that the manlalatik "consists of a
trapping and boxing method hidden in a dance. The name of the dance comes from the
Filipino word "Latik", which means "fried coconut milk curd", a coconut product that is used
in Filipino cooking, particularly in snacks.
4. Sinulog
Is an annualfestivalheld on the third Sunday of January inCebu City,Maasin City,Southern
Leyte, andBalingasag,Misamis OrientalinPhilippinesThe festival commemorates
theFilipinopeople'spaganorigin, and their acceptance ofRoman Catholicism. The main
feature is a street parade with participants in bright colored costumes dancing to the
rhythm ofdrums,trumpetsand nativegongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in
various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a
"Sinulog sa Kabataan" performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently,
the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents
from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held in theCebu City Sports
Complex.
5. Pandanggo sa Ilaw
Pandanggois aPhilippinefolk dancewhich has become popular in the rural areas of the
Philippines. The dance evolved from Fandango, a Spanishfolk dance, which arrived in the
Philippines during the Hispanic period. This dance, together with theJota, became popular
among theillustradosor the upper class and later adapted among the local communities. In
the early 18th century, any dance that is considered jovial and lively was called Pandanggo.
6. Binuyugan
Comes from the Ilocano word “buyog” which could be understood as “accompanied by or
coupled with.” This is clearly presented through street dancing competition which presents a
diverse interpretation depending on the cultural background of participating barangay. Agro
Trade Fair is another principal attraction held inside the Maitum Forest Park showcasing
local products.
7. Maglangka
Literally meaning "to dance," the maglangka is used to mold the adolescent girls into ladies
of good breeding and accomplished dancing skills. The girls are strictly taught to gracefully
execute movements imitating birds in flight, fish swimming in the sea, or branches swaying
in the air while remaining in the confines of a square cloth. These movements require
intense concentration and innate style as the ladies express emotions and entertain guests.
9. FLORES DE MAYO FESTIVAL
A parade of the town's loveliest ladies depicting the search and discovery of Christ's Cross
by Queen Helena and Constantine. First introduced by the Spanish friars in 1854, and ten
years after blossomed in the various towns of Bulacan, Laguna, Batangas and Pampanga, the
May devotion, also known as Flores de Mayo is celebrated in the entire month of May when
organizations like Daughters of Isabela, Knights of Columbus,Solidarity and Adoracion
Nocturna, offer flowers to the Virgin Mary. Today, the celebration is combined with the
traditional Santacruzan.
10. Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts
Vigan, Ilocos Sur
A festival in a setting replete with history and heritage, cultural treasures and
reminiscences, the Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts has become one of the biggest cultural
events in the North. Scene stealers are the Calesa Parade, Santacruzan, Inabel Fashion
Show, Ramada contest, concerts, traditional games and the 2nd Vigan heritage amazing
race.
11. Balangay Festival
Butuan City
It is a month-long fiesta celebration of Butuan City. Several activities are lined up for the
celebration like Mutya Hong Butuan Pageant, Sports Fest and Santacruzan.
12. Basi Festival
Naguilian, La Union
Objective of the event is to promote “basi”, a wine made from sugarcane. Activities include
street dancing, Search for Ms. Naguilian, agri-trade fair, farm tour & amusement games.
13. Dinengdeng Festival
Agoo, La Union
Is the official festivity event of the municipality of Agoo, La Union, Philippines. It is held
annually in summer in celebration of a dish by which its name is derived from. One of the
main purposes of "Dinengdeng Festival" is to promote the local tourism of the town, which is
one of the established Spanish settlements in the region. Replacing the old theme, one of its
primary agricultural products -tobacco, the festival has smoothly been identified with the
munipacility. "Dinengdeng", is the ilocano term for any vegetable- simmered dish. Usually
cooked in a "banga", a local term for a cooking clay pot being used by the descendants of the
local settlers in the ancient times. In fact, the "banga" is now revived to symbolize the
festival. A large cooking clay pot called "Big Banga" is used during the event in cooking the
main dish. Dinengdeng Festival replaced the old event theme, Tobacco festival. The latter
being too common for a festival name in the region, has been used by several municipalities,
as the crop itself becomes more abundant and sometimes causes confusion as there were
too many "Tobacco Festivals" in the region. The local government tried to come up with
uniqueness in its annual event, primarily to build up an identified one for the town that would
promote its cultural and livelihood values. In order to lift Agoo to the line of the prominent
festivities in the region, such as the panagbenga and bangus festivals, the event has been
established.
14. Ati-Atihan Festival
Kalibu, Aklan
Is a feast held annually in January in honor of theSanto Niño(Infant Jesus), concluding on
the third Sunday, in the island and town ofKalibo, Aklanin thePhilippines. The name "Ati-
Atihan" means "to be like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas 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.
15. Dinagyang Festival
Iloilo
Is a religious andcultural festivalinIloilo City,Philippinesheld on the fourth Sunday of
January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to
honor theSanto Niñoand to celebrate the arrival onPanayof Malay settlers and the
subsequent selling of the island to them by theAtis.
16. Kaamulan Festival of Bukidnon
Is an ethnic cultural festival held annually inMalaybalay City,Bukidnonfrom the second half of
February to March 10, the anniversary date of the foundation of Bukidnon as a province in
1917. It is held to celebrate the culture and tradition of the seven ethnic tribal groups—
Bukidnon, Higaonon, Talaandig, Manobo, Matigsalug, Tigwahanon and Umayamnon—that
originally inhabit the province. It is the only ethnic festival in thePhilippines.
Kaamulan comes from theBinukid word“amul”meaning to gather. Kaamulan is gathering for
a purpose—a datuship ritual, awedding ceremony, a thanksgiving festival during harvest
time, a peace pact, or all of these together.
17. Panagbena Festival
Baguio City
(English:Flower Festival) is a month-long annual flowerfestivaloccurring in Baguio, the
summer capital of thePhilippines. The term is ofMalayo-Polynesianorigin, meaning "season
of blooming". The festival, held during the month of February, was created as a tribute to the
city's flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation of the1990 Luzon earthquake.The
festival includes floats that are decorated with flowers not unlike those used
inPasadena'sRose Parade. The festival also includes street dancing, presented by dancers
clad in flower-inspired a costume, that is inspired by the Bendian, anIbaloidance of
celebration that came from theCordillera region.
18. Banana Festival of Baco
Orriental Mindoro
"The Banana Festival, held every March 18 to 19 in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, is a celebration of
the abundance of bananas. It showcases the different varieties of banana like the Senorita,
the Latundan, the Lacatan and the Saba. It also features a banana cookfest and a "saba"-
inspired street dancing competition and beauty pageant. Festivities coincide with the town
fiesta held in honor of the patron, St. Joseph. The province of Negros Occidental celebrates
the banana festival every first week of April particularly in the municipality of La Castellana.
A harvest festival opens on the first day of April. Davao del Norte on the other hand
celebrates this event every first week of July in time for the founding anniversary of the
province. The festival pays tribute to the largest economic contributor and the province’s
number one export - bananas."
19. Araw ng Dabaw Festival
Davao celebrates its birthday in a grand gala fashion befitting the largest city in Mindanao.
The Araw ng Dabaw festivities come complete with a jam-packed, seven-day schedule of
trade fairs and cultural presentations. There’s also a colorful civic-military parade and a
citywide beauty pageant, featuring the smartest, most charming ladies this side of the
islands.
20. Moriones Festival of Marinduque
TheMorionesis an annualfestivalheld onHoly Weekon the island ofMarinduque,Philippines.
The "Moriones" are men and women in costumes and masks replicating the garb of biblical
Roman soldiers as interpreted by local folks. The Moriones or Moryonan tradition has
inspired the creation of other festivals in the Philippines where cultural practices or folk
history is turned into street festivals. Colorful festivals celebrated on the island of
Marinduque and the Philippines. Morion means "mask" or "visor," a part of the medieval
Roman armor which covers the face. Moriones, on the other hand, refers to the masked and
costumed penitents who march around the town for seven days searching for Longinus.
Morions roam the streets in town from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday scaring the kids, or
engaging in antics or surprises to draw attention. This is a folk-religious festival that re-
enacts the story ofSaint Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. The festival
is characterized by colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly
colored tunics.
21. Magayon Festival of Albay
In admiration of the Majestic Mayon’s beauty and splendor, this festival is dubbed as
Magayon, a Bikol term which means beautiful. It is a celebration of the Albayano’s way of life
and a thanksgiving for the abundance of the land’s plentiful harvest through various
activities such as agricultural products display and trade fairs, cooking shows, cultural
events, street parades, photo/arts exhibits, sports events, and many more.
22. Pahiyas of Luban
Is gaining popularity not just from the townsfolks of Quezon, but even residents from the
metropolitan cities, find their way to join the colorful feast celebrated every 15th of May. The
celebration is in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The farmers of
Lucban, Quezon express their thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest with a grand display of
colorful rice wafers, fruits, vegetables, and handicrafts adorning every house in the town.
Pahiyas Festival is an ancient celebration dating back to the 16th century. Legends have it
that San Isidro Labrador magically plowed the field every time he went out of the church.
This story was passed on by the Spaniards to the Filipinos during the colonial period. The
word “pahiyas” means “precious offering” as connoted by the root word “hiyas” which
means “jewel”. Since then, the people of Lucban and nearby towns and provinces excitedly
await the summer month of May when Pahiyas Festival is held.
23. Kadayawan Festival
Is an annualfestivalin the city ofDavaoin thePhilippines. Its name derives from the friendly
greeting "Madayaw", from the Dabawenyo word "dayaw", meaning good, and valuable,
superior or beautiful. The festival is a celebration of life, a thanksgiving for the gifts of
nature, the wealth of culture, the bounties of harvest and serenity of living.
24. Halaran Festival of Roxas
TheSinadya sa Halaran Festivalis celebrated the first week of December in commemoration
of the founding of the city followed by theDiwal Festivalsignifying the city's importance as
the country's "Seafood Capital" along with theAswang Festivalthat symbolizes the heritage
ofmyth and folklorein the province.
25. Binirayan Festival of Antique
Is an event celebrated in the province ofAntiquein thePhilippines. "Binirayan" literally means
"where they sailed to".
26. Peñafrancia Festival of Naga
Is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City, Bicol Philippines. All roads
and routes will lead to Naga City in Camarines Sur where six million Bicolanos from hereand
abroad will flock to that progressive city to pay honor to the Virgin of Peñafrancia,
miraculous patroness of the Bicol Region. Bicolanos from all walks of life will be in Naga City
to meet their relatives and partidarios, share food, drinks, and prayers with them, and most
of all, to pay homage and make thanksgiving to the Virgin of Peñafrancia, whom the
Bicolanos fondly call Ina.Viva laVirgen, they will shout to high heavens. The feast day is
headed by a novena, nine days of prayer,in honorof the Virgin. On thefirst day,the imageof
the Virgin, a copy of the Madonna in Peñafrancia, Spain, is brought from its shrine to the
Naga Cathedral where the novena is held.On the last day,the imageis returned to her shrine
following the Naga River route. The colorful evening procession is lit by thousands of candles
from followers in boats escortingthe image. When the flatboat reaches its destination, the
devotees shout "Viva laVirgen" (Long live the Virgin!) andthe imageis carried back in a
procession to the cathedral.
27. Ibalong Festival of Legazpi City
TheIbalong Festivalis a non-religious festival inLegazpi City, Albay,Philippinesand is held in
August. The festival celebrates the epic storyIbalongwho was accompanied by three
legendary heroes, namelyBaltog,Handyong,Bantongand other ancient heroes. People
parade in the streets wearing masks and costumes to imitate the appearances of the heroes
and the villains, portraying the classic battles that made their way into the history ofBicol.
The Ibalong Festival aims to express warmth and goodwill to all people; visitors and tourists
are encouraged to celebrate with the Bicolanos.
28. Carabao Festival
Hundreds of work animals, mostly carabaos, are led on a parade in the streets of the town
every 14th and 15th of May to honor its patron saint. San Isidro Labrador. The carabaos
decorated with garland and shaved for the occasion, genuflect or kneel in front of the
church. Witness the colorful Carabao Festival and religious activities of the town. On the 14th
of May, farmers all over the town pay tribute to their patron saint. San Isidro Labrador, in
glorious thanksgiving for a year-long bountiful harvest. The celebration is manifested by
hanging all sorts of fruits, candies, food crops and multi-colored kipings on bamboo poles.
The affairs is highlighted by kneeling of carabaos in front of the church and the symbolic
floats. Every year, a sea of frolicking humanity comes in droves to witness this showcasing
inate talents of the carabaos.
29. Fertility Dance Rites
Is aFilipinodance ritual. Every year during the month of May, to the tune of musical
instruments made out ofbamboomaterials, the men, women and children ofObando,
Bulacan,Philippineswear traditional dance costumes to dance on the streets followed by the
images of their patron saintsSan Pascual Baylon(St. Paschal),Santa Clara(St. Clare)
andNuestra Señora de Salambao(Our Lady of Salambao), while singing the songSanta Clara
Pinung-Pino.
30. Paraw Regatta of Iloilo City and Guimaras
Or Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival is an annual festival held in February inArevalo, Iloilo
City,Philippines. Its main event is a sailboat race inIloilo Straitthat features theParaw, a
Visayan double outrigger sail boat. It is considered as the oldest traditional craft event in
Asia, and the largest sailing event in the Philippines.[1]
It is one of Iloilo City's tourism events
along with theDinagyang Festival, Kasadyahan Festival,Chinese new yearfestival and La
Candelaria festival. The Paraw race course is a thirty-kilometer distance in the Iloilo Strait,
running up the coast of Panay and then down the coast of Guimaras, before returning to the
finish at Villa Beach. The participating paraws are categorized based on the waterline length
of the boat's body and further classified according to their sails as "unpainted" or "painted",
wherein the sails are used as canvas for artwork and colorful designs. The Iloilo Paraw
Regatta has grown from a half-day sailboat race into the multi-event festival that it is now.
31. Pintados de Pasi Festival
The Pintados de Pasi Festival celebrated every 3rd week of March is perhaps one of the best
known and established festivals of the Province of Iloilo that have evolved through the years.
It has played a big part in the lives of most Passinhons. Performers adorned in traditional
body tattoo with elaborate geometrical designs in their body, including their arms, legs and
torso dramatizes stories in which the town's ancestral beings laid down every feature of the
area, especially their way of life. Many other special events are enjoyed during this week-
long celebration. It includes Garden Show & Food Festivals; the Karosa Parada & Carabao
Painting Contest; the Grand Coronation Night of the Search for Bb. Pintados; Sinadya sa Suba
and the Pinta Lawas as well as the Carabao Painting contest are also highlights of the
celebration.
32. Tinikling Festival
Thetiniklingdance is one of the most popular and well-known of traditional Philippine
dances.The tinikling is a pre-Spanishdancefrom thePhilippinesthat involves two people
beating, tapping, and slidingbamboopoles on the ground and against each other in
coordination with one or more dancers who step over and in between the poles in a dance.
The name is a reference to birds locally known astikling, which can be any of a number
ofrailspecies; the termtiniklingliterally means "tikling-like."The dance originated
inLeyteamong theVisayanislands in the central Philippines as an imitation of the tikling bird
dodging bamboo traps set by rice farmers. The dance imitates the movement of the tikling
birds as they walk between grass stems, run over tree branches, or dodge bamboo traps
set by rice farmers. Dancers imitate the tikling bird's legendary grace and speed by skillfully
maneuvering between large bamboo poles.
33. Sigay Festival
As part of positioning Binmaley Pangasinan as the“Seafood Capital of the North”, the town
holds a grand fiesta named as the SIGAY FESTIVAL. The Sigay Festival is a one week
celebration from January 15 to February 2 which will give tribute to the aquaculture industry
of the town, which is the number one source livelihood of the community of Binmaley. Sigay
is a Pangasinan dialect word which means to harvest. Since Binmaley is positioned as the
Seafood Capital of the North, having the largest land area for aguaculture in Pangasinan, it is
apt to name our festival SIGAY to bring in the positive spirit of harvest. In fact, Binmaley, has
produces milkfish, malaga (siganid) and prawns from fishponds.
34. Sangyaw Festival
Sangyaw Festivalis a religious and socio-cultural event in thePhilippines. It was revived in
2008 by the city government ofTacloban,Philippines. Sangyaw means "to herald news"
inWaraylanguage. Various festival-participants from different parts of the country
participate in this tribal procession.It was held a day before the city fiesta. The festival was
first held in 1974but was cancelled in 1987.
35. Pintaflores Festival
Pintaflores is coined from the words Pintados, the concept behind the Nabingkalan Tattoo
Festival, and the "flores", the Spanish word for flowers that dominated the theme of the
Dances of Flowers. The Pintaflores street dancing and ritual competition highlights the
annual Pintaflores festival every November 3-5. It features rhythmic dances and dance
dramas of life and death and the triumph of good against evil that depict the people's
thanksgiving of merriment, abundant blessings and success. As part of the Pintados
Tradition, the faces, arms, bodies and legs of the dancers are painted with flowers to
express gratitude to man and his environment.
36. Regada Water Festival
Regada is a water festivalheld primarily at Cavite City every June 24th of the year. That date
is also the date of the celebration ofSan Juan Bautista festivity. Regada started in 1996
during the tenure of theMayor Tim Encarnacion. This week-long celebration is a mirror of
Cavite City’s culture and tradition, combined with fun and merryment.
37. LONGGANISA FESTIVAL
The Vigan longaganisa is a small and plump native sausage, good for about two or three
bites. It is garlicky and has a yellowish color. Although it is eaten anytime, even as a bread
filling, it is traditional favored as breakfast fare together with fried eggs and steamed or
fried rice. It is best dipped in Ilocos vinegar with plenty of chili, garlic and onions. Filipinos
cook them in a pan with water. The longganisa cooks in its own fat after the water
evaporates and is then cooked further until it slightly caramelizes. A tip to avoid crumbling is
to place it in the freezer for a while before frying it.
Vigan longganisa is said to be an influence of the Mexican salami. The tradition of making this
native has existed since the period of the Spanish galleon trade. It is distinct from other
Philippine sausages because of its use of the local sugar cane vinegar and Vigan-grown
garlic, which are major products of the city as well. The Biguenos are so fiercely proud of
their longganisa that they have made it as the product they would like to be most known for.
They had it recognized as the city’s One Town, One Project (OTOP) selection under this
national government program. They’ve endeavored throughout the years to be the top
longganisa producer in the Philippines.
38. LANZONES FESTIVAL
Lanzones Festival is held every third week of October and it is a four day grand celebration
of the lanzones fruit. The most important livelihood in Camiguin is lanzones. It is when a lot
of tourists come to witness the joyous Lanzones festival. Lanzones is one of the major fruit
producers in the Philippines. Lanzones is a tropical fruit that grows extravagantly on the
north-central coast of Mindanao. Lanzones has a pale brown skin and sweet translucent
flesh. It is said that the sweetest lanzones in the Philippines comes from Camiguin. The town
of Mambajao in Camiguin celebrated its annual festival called Lanzones Festival together
with its harvest in the month of October.
Lanzones Festival in Mambadjao Camiguin is celebrated with a weekend street dancing
competition and parties, cultural shows, parade and beauty pageant (coronation of Mutya sa
Buahanan) and trade fair that features local handicraft and products. Houses, street poles
and even people are ornamented with lanzones during the lanzones festival. According to the
legend of an unknown beautiful maiden took the fruit’s past bitter flavor to replace it to
delicious and sweet taste of the lanzones, thus townsfolk dance in the streets in order to
honor and celebrate. It also celebrated by the people in Camiguin as a contribution in making
Mindanao as a cultural tourism destination and give thanks for a bountiful harvest for all the
agricultural products.
39. BANGUS FESTIVAL
The Bangus Festival is one of the major and most exciting festivals in the Philippines worth
visiting and coming back for. The yearly euphoria envelops the city of Dagupan with a high
level of excitement as the street dancers, in their most striking costumes, depict the
harvest of bangus. Learn the various ways of cooking bangus in 101 ways while indulging in
its succulent taste. See skilled Dagupeños speedily classify, debone and eat bangus. Discover
the most beautiful, longest and heaviest bangus.
