Philippines, the Fiesta Islands

Philippines, the Fiesta Islands from Illustrado

By Ivan Henares

The Philippines is, without a doubt, a country of beautiful sights, festivities and merrymaking. Throughout the year, around the 1,701 islands, festivals abound in an exciting explosion of local color, food, traditions and the boundless energy of locals and visitors who participate in these celebrations with much gusto.





Although May has always been the undisputed month of fiestas, for party enthusiasts, there’s always a festival to visit virtually every month around the islands, and some of these unique celebrations have withstood the test of time and carved their own niche in Philippine culture. Here’s our pick of fiestas around the Philippines the whole year round.

Image: benjie@belarmino-law-office.com

In January, the Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan is held in honor of the Sto. Niño every third week of January. The festival got its name from the fact that Aklanons and tourists alike imitate the Ati, the local aborigines or Negritos, by wiping soot on their faces. They don colorful ethnic costumes and dance around the streets of Kalibo to the beat of ethnic troubadours. Similar celebrations are held in honor of the Sto. Niño around the Visayas, most notable of which are the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City and the Sinulog Festival in Cebu.


Every January 9, the Feast of the Black Nazarene is held in Quiapo, Manila. This intense mammoth procession winds through the streets of Quiapo like a strong wave of faith, with devotees risking life and limb just to get close to the miraculous image and touch it.


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