Denise VillamarLocal Festival on April, May, and June
There are plenty of local festival here in the Philippines we should be witnessing once in our life.
The rich history of Fiestas started way back mid 1500 when the Spanish entered our country. They were the one responsible for naming each town or community after a patron saint. Even to this day, Filipinos have been annually celebrating fiestas of different patrons, and other, in honor of bountiful harvest.
Other festival includes exciting activities such as beauty pageants, talent competitions, and street dancing.
In this article, we’ve rounded up some much-anticipated local festivals for April, May, and June.
Bangus Festival
First off on our list is the Bangus Festival, held every every April in Pangasinan. This festival is being held in honor of their city’s most valuable produce, the milkfish or bangus.
Expect to see a culinary feast as it includes exciting competitions such as the Bagus Rodeo. Here, bangus masters shows how to debone and eat bangus in their own way. There’s also the Bangus Cooking Competition, where each representative from a barangay share their own family recipe on how they prepare bangus at home. They also hold a beauty pageant as part part of the festival.
If you’re into parties, this festival is also the best destination as it holds its own street party. Aside from the total entertainemen, there will also be grilling along the streets. Among other festivals in Luzon, it’s one you shouldn’t want to miss.
Magayon Festival
The province of Albay takes pride on their annual Magayon Festival. It is being held every month of May, alongside with exciting activities as well.
The festival is being held in honor of their bountiful harvest and was first celebrated in 1999, which was first headed by former Governor Al Bichara. Various events locals could expects include sports-related competition, beauty pageants, product display of local delicacies, musical events, and many more.
Magayon Festival is truly one of the festivals in Luzon to be witnessed.
Obando Festival
The town of Obando is probably famous for its “Sayaw Sa Obando” or the Fertility Dance. In fact, the Obando Festival became popular not only for the locals, but for the international tourists as well. It is because of the certain ritual or dance done by childless couple, who wished to have a child.
The dance usually takes place at 7 or 8 in the morning. Couples who wish to dance wears a Filipiniana or any decent church attire. Aside from childless couples, other people who have different intentions also dance at the Obando Festival such as those looking for a significant other, those wishing to pass an entrance test or a board exam, people looking for a job, or requesting for the healing of the sick.
Pahiyas Festival
One of the most popular local festivals in the Philippines is the Pahiyas Festival. It is held every month of May in Lucban, Quezon.
Aside from the grandiose decorations in the province, Pahiyas is an event wherein the locals commemorate San Isidro Labrador, who is the patron saint of farmers. It was said that the people of Lucban have already been conducting simple thanksgiving to the Anitos, for their good harvest.
Unique displays during Pahiyas festival include “Kiping,” a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice in different colors. There is also the “Anok,” which refers to the stringed fruits, vegetables, and longanisa for display. These colorful decorations helpmake the Pahiyas Festival more attractive and unique than ever. This local festival gets loud and merrier with its lineup of events.
Parada ng Lechon in Batangas
June is the most-awatited local festival of most Batanguenos as they get to celebrate the Parada ng Lechon. This festivity also concides with the celebration of their patron saint, St. John the Baptist.
After the preparations, the lechons are dressed and wrapped carefully as they are sent to the Immaculate Conception church, where the pigs are lined up to be blessed by the priest. A mass is celebrated in honor of the town’s patron saint and after that, the merrier part of the festivity commences.
There are a series of performances of live bands, ballroom dancing, races, magic shows, and sports tournaments during the festival.
Pineapple Festival in Daet
Pinyasan, or the Pineapple Festival in Daet is an upcoming local festival this June.
This festival is rich with all sorts of amazing cultural events that can be enjoyed by everyone. In this festival, one of the must-see things would be the colorful street parade which features the talent of the community through a sing and dance performance. To showcase their pineapple products, it is important not to miss the agri-fair, where you can see and buy various pineapple items to support the local businesses in the region.
Pintados Kasadyaan Festival in Tacloban
Pintados is one of the most colorful local festival in the Philippines, and is regarded as an important cultural event in the region of Visayas. This event has captured everyone’sattention due to its colorful and vibrant celebration of their unique heritage through a series of revelry.
Dating back to history, the Pintados are known to be the ancient tattooed warriors with their body covered in tattoos. At present, the festival would not be complete without the sight of performers with body paints all over which mimick the warriors of their olden days. These Pintados perform to the beat of the drums while other dancers sing and dance as they wear multicolored attire to make the parade as colorful as possible.
Pulilan Carabao Festival in Bulacan
Celebrated every May 14 to 15 in the town of Pulilan in Bulacan, the Carabao Festival is a local festival which seeks to honor the saint for good harvest. In this two-day celebration, tourists will be able to see an out of the ordinary cultural and religious event one can only find here in the Philippines.
Lastly, the Carabao Festival also attracts more tourists through its exciting and fun activities. Included in the program are float parades, sing and dance performances, and of course, a showcase of culinary expertise.
