The Philippines is known not only as a country with beautiful nature, but also people who are friendly, like to gather, and party. Not surprisingly, the festivals here are numerous and lively.
Many tourists end up coming to the Philippines to experience our country’s diverse culture. It’s no wonder that Traveloka Philippine airlines booking provides many attractive promos for flights to the Philippines.
For those of you who are interested in visiting the Philippines and enjoying our cultural festivals, here is the complete list.
Exciting Cultural Festivals in the Philippines that Can Be Enjoyed by Tourists
1. Panagbenga Festival
The Panagbenga Festival is the most beautiful and full of hope in the Philippines. This was done to celebrate the rise of Baguio City after the Luzon earthquake in 1990.
“Kankanaey’ Panagbenga” means “Blossoming Season” so the whole city will be decorated with colorful flowers. Celebrated throughout the month of February, the Panagbenga Festival has various events. Such as dance and costume competitions accompanied by Cordilleran music with celebrities. There is also a parade with floats with colorful flowers.
To enjoy the excitement of this festival, visitors can come to the Panagbenga Festival in the Burnham Park and Session Street areas in Baguio City.
2. Pahiyas Festival
During this festival, Filipinos decorate their homes and vehicles beautifully with colorful vegetables, fruits, and Kiplings.
The Pahiyas Festival is held in May to celebrate San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers for good agriculture and abundant harvests. In this parade, we will wear costumes, floats and giant paper machines.
Visitors can also celebrate happiness in the Pahiyas Festival. Because they can pick crops from door to door for free while enjoying local dishes such as kaldereta and Lucban Longgaisa.
3. Masskara Festival
The Masskara Festival in October is the perfect time for party lovers to get together. This festival started in 1980 where people were having a hard time. We had a party to forget about the problem for a while.
That’s why, even though the situation is difficult, we still put on a smiling mask. In a way, this mask is a camouflage for the hearts of the Filipino people. People who wear masks will enjoy this feast while eating, drinking and dancing.
4. Higantes Festival
The Higantes Festival is inspired by the folklore of Angono which tells of “Higantes” or giant paper dolls made by our people. This Higantes was created as a way of protest against the Spanish Inquisition in the past.
However, today giant dolls are used as part of the Higantes Festival. This festival itself is used to honor San Clemente, the patron saint of the city.
The tourists will not be afraid of hunger when they join the festival because we will open wide the doors of their houses and let the visitors eat or have fun as a celebration of the party. Well, giant 3.65 meter dolls will stand in every barangay or town.
To enjoy this festival, you can visit the city of Angono and its surroundings in November. Interested?
5. The Giant Lantern Festival
The Giant Lantern Festival is held for a whole month to celebrate Christmas in San Fernando City, the Christmas Capital of the Philippines.
The holiday mood in December is perfect, especially on the weekend before Christmas Eve, when people compete to show the biggest lantern in town.
We will start making the lanterns one month before the festival using locally available materials as a condition of the competition. Lanterns with a diameter of more than 4.75 meters will be displayed in a colorful parade in every town or barrio before the Christmas midnight mass.
6. Aliwan Fiesta
Aliwan Fiesta is an annual event that gathers different cultural festivals in the Philippines at the Star City Complex, Pasay. All contingents from each city compete in dance parades, float parades, and in beauty pageants.
Aliwan Fiesta started in 2003 and aims to showcase the distinct Filipino heritage and culture to the entire world community. Festival participants must be willing to challenge the hot sun by wearing heavy costumes. Their bodies were drenched in sweat, of course, but the splendor of the festival’s celebrations was truly amazing.
Aliwan Fiesta always looks lively with its street parade. This festival is certainly really interesting to watch.
Are you interested in visiting the Philippines and enjoying our cultural festival? Don’t forget to find out when the festival will be held before visiting, so you can enjoy the people’s party with the residents.
You can directly order flight tickets at Traveloka to get attractive prices. On Traveloka, you can also find hotels that are close to where the cultural festival is being held so that you can easily attend the festival.
