Festivals in the Philippines

The way the people live reflects the culture of their country. Just like the Philippines which celebrates various festivities and celebrations, these all are part of their tradition and culture.

For the Philippines, all throughout the months in the calendar, never slip the celebration from its major islands, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. But we are going to explore the festivals of the Philippines in the month of January to December.

On the month of January
The Feast of Sto. Niño Is a celebration held in the different parts of the country honoring the patron Sto. Niño. The Sinulog Festival in Cebu is a way of dancing during the harvest season and asking for the blessings from Sto. . Niño. The Cebuanos (people living in Cebu) perform street dancing with festive costumes to the tune of merry sounds. In, Iloilo, there is what we call the Dinagyang Festival. This is a kind of celebration of feast and devotion in honor of the St. Niño in which the participants of the parade or “Kasadyahan” wear masks and costumes similar to a warrior. They hold the image of Sto. Niño while dancing.Moreover, in Kalibo, Aklan, they celebrate Ati-Atihan Festival. This kind of celebration honors Sto. Niño which they commemorate the friendship of Aetas and Malays. Furthermore, the Aklanons (people living in Aklan) paint their faces and wear tribal costumes. On the other hand, the Feast of Sto. . Niño is also celebrated in Tondo, Pandacan and other parts of the country. The celebrations are highlighted with dance competitions and Ati-Atihan dances. A colorful procession of different Sto. . Niños in different costumes culminates the celebration usually every last Sunday of January.

January is a month for all people in Quiapo, Manila of its Feast of the Black Nazarene. It is a celebration of strong faith and devotion to the Black Nazarene held every 9th day of January. Thousands of devotees gather in a procession around the Quiapo Church while carrying the image of the Black Nazarene. Many people believed that touching the image of the Nazarene would bring miracles.

On the month of February
The Baguio City celebrates the Panagbenga Festival. “Panagbenga” comes from the word “Kankanay” meaning season of flowers. This celebration is an extravagant and colorful one in which the flowers are decoratedly placed and arrange in a float which it proceeds in a parade along the main streets of Baguio City. Thousands of people from different parts of the country join this parade.

There is also the celebration of Hari Raya Puasa. It is a merry Muslim Celebration held after 29 days of fasting or Ramadan. It has been said that during this day, Muslim men wear white headpieces and women dress in white flowing gowns that cover them from head to foot. Furthermore, the Muslims feast over good food and celebrate with their friends and loved ones.

On the month of March or April
In Paki, Laguna, they celebrate the Turumba Festival. This celebration is the tradition of the early Filipinos which the people in Laguna commemorate. They believed that priests have healing power. During this parade, devotees join in singing and dancing Turumba. On the other hand, during this month also, the Marinduque boosts the Moriones Festival. It is actually a street attraction that occurs during the Holy Week. “Morion” means masks in which the participants are going to wear masks and costumes of medieval Roman soldiers. There is what we call Senakulo or Salibong. It is a Catholic Filipinos activity in which they show a display of rituals in observance of the Holy Week or “Semana Santa”. They share with the passion of Christ through fasting and penitence. “Salubong” is the dramatization of the meeting of the risen Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary on Easter Sunday morning.

In the month of May
The Antipolo Festival is celebrated in Antipolo, Rizal. The Antipolo Church during this month if filled with thousands of visitors and devotees of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage to ask for guidance and safe travel. In fact, many tourists also visit the Hinulugang Taktak in Antipolo, Rizal. This is now becomes a National Park. Flores de Mayo is also celebrated in this month. It is a celebration of offering flowers in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary all throughout the month of May. On the other hand, Santacruzan is a month-long flower offerings in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary which on the last Sunday of May, a procession which celebrates St. Elena’s finding of the Holy Cross is held. Moreover, Lucban, Luzon celebrates the Pahiyas Festival in this month. Every 15th of May, the place gives commemoration of the feast day of their patron, San Isidro Labrador. He is the patron saint of farmers. As thanksgiving to the saint for a good and abundant harvest, people decorate their houses with colorful decorations. The celebration is called “Pahiyas” in which people make “kipings” to decorate their houses. “Kiping” is made of rice dough tinted with food color and molded in “madre de cacao” leaves, baked and dried. Aside from that, the Pulilan, Bulacan also celebrates Carabao Parade. It is an extraordinary celebration in honor of their patron saint San Isidro Labrador. Aside from the floats decorated with the products of livelihood, they dress up their carabaos to join the procession. These carabaos kneel down in front of the church. In Obando, Bulacan, Sayaw sa Obando is also celebrated. It is part of the tradition that women sing song and couples who want to have children while doing the devotional dance on May 17, the feast of Sta. Clara are made known. This marks the first day of a three-day celebration honoring the town’s three patron saints. On May 18, the feast of San Pascual de Baylon is celebrated. He is a shepherd who praised God through praying and dancing. The feast day of Virgin de Salambao ends the celebration on the 19th day of May. Virgen de Salambao is an image of the Immaculate Concepcion caught by fishermen through “salambao” or net.

On the month of September
The feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated in this month. It will take place in Naga, Camarines Sur. Every third week of September, a nine-day novena is held. On the third Saturday, the feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia is celebrated with a parade of fluvial floats.

On the month of October
Christian Catholics say the Holy Rosary especially in this month. They give honor to Jesus’ Mother, Mother Mary. They pray the 4 mysteries in the Rosary as they kneel and lit a candle in their homes or at the church.

On the month of November
The whole country of the Philippines remembers their dead loved ones every November 1st. This day is devoted for praying, offering of flowers and lighting of candles in the grave of their loved ones.

On the month of December
This month is the merriest and longest celebration in the Philippines for it is the Christmas season. It starts on December 16, the first day of novena mass called “Simbang Gabi”. People from all walks of life wake up early to attend the mass at 4:30 in the morning and pray together to the Child Jesus. After the mass, rice cakes, “bibingka” and “puto bungbong” can be bought in the church’s patio.

These are some of the festivals that the Philippines celebrate in every month of the year. Indeed, the Philippines stores extraordinary cultures. It can be seen in the festivals and traditions that they have. No wonder, they are regarded as the most happiest and sociable persons in the world. With their cultures, it gives recognition to their country and of course, it attracts lots of tourists as well.

These are some of the festivals that I know, but there are lots to store in the Philippines in each province and town.

Microwave-s: The joy it brings.

It is nice to have everything at home.

The home is the place where family members could enjoy everything of what it brings and gives. That is why, every family activity should be in great happiness with the available things that brings joy to every heart.

Good thing that microwave-s serves more in the happiness in family's gathering in the table with food and more. Thus, when there is a celebration that invites visitors, then for sure it is not a question if the food will be directly served because microwave-s serves it more to fulfill the palate of every guest.

Enjoying at home is more about how one does fulfill to take its promise to give more and live more. And when it comes to microwaving food, microwave-s serves the purpose.

Sipidan Island, Malaysia

The tiny limestone island off the coast of Borneo offers little of interest, some said, but when you walk out from the shore’s soft white sandy beach, surely you will stick your head in the water. Incredibly clear and calm waters enable even beginning snorkelers to experience the wonders of this underwater kingdom. Scuba divers will find unparalleled wall diving with a drop-off that falls deep underwater into a deep blue abyss, plus other, equally awesome dive experiences, all less than a five-minute boat ride away.Furthermore, Sipidan’s turtle population which is regarded as one of the world’s greatest concentrations is indicative of the outstanding marine life that held Cousteau in thrall. Before, the only accommodations were in tents, but now there are lodging houses available.

Ile de Re, Poitou-Charentes, France

It has been noted that a recent mainland invasion of this small French outpost in the Atlantic has done little to taint its unspoiled charm. In fact, you’ll see mostly local island people and in-the-know Parisians pedaling around the vineyards and potato fields, past oyster parks, vegetable gardens, and the local bids reserve. Genteel , old-fashioned, slow-paced, and surprisingly friendly, in this corner of France doors and bicycles are left unlocked, the bartender knows your name and preference, and young families fill the uncrowded beaches digging for cockles and relishing the island’s other petits plaisiors. The architecture is plain, the outdoor markets every morning’s high-light, and irresistible seafood shacks serve mussels from their backyards, perfumed by a fire made with pine needles. Ile de Re cover was temporarily blown a few years ago when the aging French rock star Johnny Halliday abandoned St.-Tropez for the scene –free low profile of Ile de Re; islanders were relieved when boredom soon drove him back where he came from. Outsiders will find characteristic blissful low-keyed do-nothingness at the hotel L’Ocean. This small, simple, but stylish places offers the island’s newest and most charming accommodations and has an excellent restaurant.

Amelia Island, Florida, USA

Amelia Island has always been a fight for the French, Spanish, the English, the Amelia “Patriots”, the Republic of Florida, Mexico, the United States and the Confederacy. This happens because they have seen that both commerce and military pursuits are productively be made here. Because of Henry Flagler who bypassed the town when he created the first rail line down Florida’s east coast made the island available to the eyes of the tourists. Now, it becomes the fun-in-the-sun theme parks.

It is Fernandina Beach which is Amelia’s only town. Away from the town, Amelia’s landscape blends upland and maritime forests, saltwater marshes, and gorgeous coastline, both the northern and southern ends of the island are preserved as state parks. Nature lover tourists can take a bike via trails, kayak or bird-watch in its marshes and rivers or ride horseback along the white sand beaches and high dunes.

Mount Kenya, Kenya

It has been known that Mount Kenya National Park offers one of the most impressive landscapes in all of East Asia. It is evidently seen that the 12 remnant glaciers on the mountain, all of which are receding rapidly and four secondary peaks that sit at the head of the U-shaped glacial valley that is littered with wild flowers eludes the wonderful Mount Kenya. Not only that with its rugged glacier-clad summits and forested middle slopes, it is simply spectacular to behold for nature lovers.

The park has incredible lakes, tarns, glaciers, peaks and natural mineral springs. At the lower level are dry upland forests that give way with height to montane forest with cedar and podo, then thick bamboo forest, upper forests of smaller trees and high-altitude moss and finally high-altitude heath and shrubs followed by open moorland, where animals like elephants, buffaloes, zebras and eland are indeed a wonder to the place. Other animals of the forests that extends your sight-seeing include bushbuck, black and white Colobus monkeys and Sykes monkeys, while lower down the slopes the wide variety of wildlife includes black rhinos, leopards, hyenas, genet cats, olive baboons, waterbucks, black-fronted duikers, bush pigs and giant forest hogs. Endangered animals here include bongos, a shy forest antelope, Mount Kenya Mole Shrew, Sunni buck and skinks.

Mount Kenya got it all for you, wonderful places, stunning wildlife species and a great escape.

White Desert, Egypt

Do you know the best place to visit when you are in Egypt? For sure, I know you want to see the White Desert. Yes, indeed, it is one of the most frequently visited places in western Egypt. It is the rock formations and the white sands which offer a stunning stark in a yellow desert. The rocks are has the color of blue, pink and orange tint during the day. And when night comes, the place resembles snow. Despite the heat, the place invites a good landscape and wonderful sight for travelers and locals.

The combination of chalk and limestone evidently revealed that there is wind erosion that is happening in the place, making the enormous rocks turned into pebbles or in thin bases. The place simply offers a stunning backdrop of a desert world.

There are also springs present in the place. Some surround the area. The springs there are said to mark by hillocks created when sand attaches itself to vegetation near water. There are growing plants that struggles to grow in spite of the suffocated sands of the desert.