WHAT IS FESTIVAL?

A festival is an event ordinarily celebrated by a community and centering on some characteristic aspect
of that community and its religion or traditions. It is often marked as a local or national holiday, mela, or
eid. Along with religious and folkloric commemorations, the agricultural cycles of planting, growing, and
harvest are frequently marked by festive celebration. They play an important role to add structure to
our social lives, and connect us with our families and backgrounds. Often serve to fulfill specific
communal purposes, especially in regard to commemoration or thanksgiving.

ETYMOLOGY
The word "festival" was originally used as an adjective from the late fourteenth century, deriving from
Latin. In Middle English, a "festival dai" was a religious holiday. Its first recorded used as a noun was in
1589 as "Festifall".The term "feast" is also used as a synonym for any large or elaborate meal. When
used as in the meaning of a festival, most often refers to a religious festival rather than a film or art
festival. In the Philippines and many other former Spanish colonies, the Spanish word fiesta is used to
denote a communal religious feast to honor a patron saint.

3 TYPES:

Religious Festival

- A set of celebrations in honour of God. A feast and a festival are historically interchangeable.
Most religions have festivals that recur annually and some, such as Passover, Easter and Eid al-
Adha are moveable feasts - that is, those that are determined either by lunar or agricultural
cycles or the calendar in use at the time.

National Festival

- Connect citizens to important moments of a nations history.

Seasonal Festival

- Reflect attitude of people towards nature. Seasonal festivals, such as Beltane, are determined
by the solar and the lunar calendars .

LIST OF FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES:

LUZON
1. PAHIYAS FESTIVAL

- Held on May 15 of every year, the Pahiyas Festival is carried out to give thanks to San Isidro
Labrador for the good harvest. It is one of the countrys oldest festivals tracing its origin way back to the
16th century.

2. PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL
 - Formerly known as the Baguio Flower Festival. It has always been the most awaited festival in
Baguio City . It is celebrated for the whole month of February but the main event happens during the
street parade and float parade that are decorated with flowers.

3. HIGANTES FESTIVAL

-Also known as the Feast of San Clemente, is celebrated every November 23 in the ton of
Angono, Rizal. This is the major festival in honor of San Clemente, the patron saint of fisherman.

4. BANGUS FESTIVAL

- Is one of Philippines' most elaborate celebrations. Popular for its unique cultural fusions, this
is a popular tourists attraction. The festival is held in the beautiful city of Dagupan.

5. BACAO FESTIVAL

- Isabelas folks hold their Bacao festival in honor of St. Joseph for their good harvest of
corn. Like the Bangus Festival, activities are more provincial featuring street dancing, rodeos, float
competitions, and other contests. Held for five days starting on March 15.

VISAYAS
1. SINULOG FESTIVAL

- The Sinulog Festival is held in Cebu. Culminating in the street parade or Mardi Gras that falls on
the third Sunday of every January. The feast venerates the Senyor Santo Nino de Cebu.

2. ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

- Is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Nino (Infant Jesus), in the island of
Kalibo, Aklan. It is probably more well-known for the black paint that most participants put on their
bodies. The black paint that covers the whole body contrasts starkly with the colorful costumes and
ornaments.

3. DINAGYANG FESTIVAL

- Is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City held on the 4th Sunday of January or right after
the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Nino and to celebrate
the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent selling of the island to them by the Atis.

4. MASSKARA FESTIVAL

- The term MassKara was coined by Ely Santiago, meaning many faces. It also became the
festivals trademark: smiling masks worn by the participants. It is a festival held each year in Bacolod City
every third weekend of October nearest October 19.

5. PINTADO-KASADYAHAN

- Tacloban City holds the Pintados-Kasadyahan Festival culminating on June 29. The festival
commemorates and fleshes out how the Spaniards saw the early Filipinos when they arrived in Leyte:
bodies filled with tattoos and holding weapons. Pintados is how the tattoo-covered natives.
MINDANAO
1. KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL

- The most significant celebration in Davao often dubbed as Mindanao's "festival of all festivals"
and one of the country's top drawing anniversaries. Being held every August.

2. KALILANGAN FESTIVAL

-The most famous and widely acclaimed festival in Davao City, every last week of February
homage is given to the city's forefathers and the harmonious coexistence of the numerous cultural and
religious communities in the city.

3. TUNA FESTIVAL

- features the traditional parades with replicas of tuna and other sea-creatures. Several
contesting groups energetically perform their best street dancing capabilities on inspiring, rhythmical
music.

4. KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL

- Held in Sultan Kudarat every November. It is a Maguindanaoan phrase meaning "informal

gathering". This maternal revelry brings together about every major ethnic group on the island, like the
Manobo, Tiruray or T'boli to commemorate the foundation anniversary of Sultan Kudarat.

5. TNALAK FESTIVAL

- The most prestigious beauty pageant in Mindanao is the Mutya ng South Cotabato, held during
the T'nalak festival in Koronadal city. This happening is a breathtaking competition with international
allure.

6. SAGAYAN FESTIVAL

- The festival highlights the rich culture of the Maranaos through the sagayan, which is a form of
war dance. It also features a fan dance by the Maranao maidens.

7. HERMOSA FESTIVAL

- also known as Zamboanga La Hermosa Festival or popularly known as Fiesta Pilar a month-long
festival held each year in the city of Zamboanga. It is one of the Oldest Festival in the Country and the
most awaited Event in the Region.