If You Wanna Party, Brace Yourself For The Ultimate Level: The Philippines
From dancing on the streets to decorating homes with vegetables, there's always an unforgettable festival to look forward to!
Published for AIR ASIA, 22 Dec 2015, 02:23 PM
When it comes to parties, the Filipinos have got it down to a fine art. With grand, out-of-this-world festivals to look forward to throughout the year, this happy nation brings new meaning to partying hard!
Lasting anywhere between a day to an entire month, Philippine festivals are huge cultural celebrations that attract both local and foreign tourists due to its colorful and festive nature. Because of Spain’s Catholic influence dating back to the mid-1500s, most of these festivals are usually religious in nature while others are meant to commemorate important events in history.
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1. They start really young
Panagbenga Festival
February
During this festival in Baguio City, children get dressed up as flora and fauna in honour of the "season of blooming" party. The main Baguio street gets closed off to vehicles to make way for the star event, "Session Road in Bloom", comprising of floral carts, street dancing, and outdoor cafes.
2. Their commitment level to parade costumes include covering themselves in black soot
Ati-Atihan Festival
January
Nicknamed the Filipino Mardi Gras, this festival is held annually in Kalibo (Boracay). The festival, dedicated to Sto. Niño, is one of the oldest religious celebrations in the country and is complete with street parades, indigenous costumes and weapons, tribal dances, and hypnotic drumbeats. Visitors keen to join in this party are welcomed to cover themselves in black soot and dance to the beat of the street.
3. They happily parade in the streets for 12 straight hours or more, rain or shine
Wattah Wattah Festival
June
Street parades are an iconic part of most festivals in the Philippines, and they're always colourful, exciting, and never-ending! Even torrential rain and floods do not stop the revellers from donning their bold, colourful costumes and hitting the streets for the feast of their patron saint, John the Baptist.
4. When they throw a party, 4 million people decide to join in the fun
Sinulog Festival
January
Sinulog Festival's reputation as one of the most attended festivals in the Philippines is solidified with reports of the event reaching four million participants since 2013. Similar to Ati Atihan, this Cebu City festival is also held in the third week of January in honour of Sto. Niño. Besides street dancing, pageantry and sports, the festival is also known for hosting the country's largest rave parties.
5. They take dance-offs to a whole other level
One of the most anticipated attractions at Sinulog Festival is the epic dance-off by contingents from around the country known as the Sinulog Contest. The Free Interpretation Category sees the highest participation, and is famed for its quick dance steps and beautifully mythical storylines. The Sinulog-based category, on the other hand, is known for its more structured, prayer-based dance steps done in quintessentially Hispanic-inspired costumes.
6. They can make eggplants and tomatoes look like the most epic décor your home could ever need
Pahiyas Festival
May
If you've ever wanted to see how tomatoes, eggplants, turnips and beans are craftily used as exterior home decoration, then keep an eye out for the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban. The harvest festival sees the people of Lucban using an astoundingly large array of fresh produce to beautify their homes.
7. Their passion for having a good time has earned them multiple awards
Dinagyang Festival
January
The pride of the people of Iloilo City towards Dinagyang Festival is nothing short of astounding. The festival, held in honour of Sto. Niño, overflows with street parties, bands in all corners, dance contests, and the most amazing food and drinks. The festival has cinched several awards including the Best Tourism Event of the Philippines presented by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines. The winning dance tribes from this festival are also bringing their pride international by promoting Philippines tourism to the United States, Canada, and Singapore.
Do you see yourself swaying to the beat of Ati Atihan Festival in Kalibo (Boracay) or checking out the dance-off at Sinulog Festival in Cebu City?
Whichever festival you're starting off the year with this January, get your party plans in motion right now! Take advantage of awesome all-in rates to Cebu and Kalibo (Boracay) HERE. Just make sure to book your tickets by 27th December 2015!