FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
Contents
Pista’y Dayat
Date: May 1 Location: Lingayen, Pangasinan, A day of thanksgiving for bountiful harvests and abundant fishing observed all over Pangasinan traditional with a mass offering on beautiful beaches and fluvial parade.
Santacruzan
Date: May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Location: Nationwide, The Santacruzan is a procession commemorating St. Helena’s finding the “True Cross”; preceded by a nine-day Novena in honor of the Holy Cross. On a ninth day, usually on a weekend, the Santacruzan is held. The Reina Elena, accompanied by a little boy representing King Constantine, and the other sagalas representing biblical characters and the attributes of the Blessed Virgin, walk under gaily decorated arches.
PULILAN CARABAO FESTIVAL
May 14 / Pulilan, Bulacan, A thanksgiving fiesta that features oiled, perfumed carabaos paying homage to Pulilan’s patron saint by kneeling in front of his statue.
MANGGAHAN SA GUIMARAS FESTIVAL
May 15-22 / Guimaras, A commemorative celebration of the anniversary of Guimaras as a province and to showcase the premier produce of the province (mango) and the various local attractions.
PG’SALABOK FESTIVAL/LINGGO NG DIPOLOG
May 20-25 / Dipolog City, Zamboanga del Norte, A weeklong festival which culminates with colorful ethnic-inspired street dancing.
JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL (JCI) ASIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE
May 21-25 / Cebu International Convention Center, Cebu City
LUBI-LUBI FESTIVAL
May 22 / Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, A cultural presentation using parts of the coconut palm and other indigenous materials as props and costumes.
PAHOY-PAHOY FESTIVAL
May 25 / Western Samar, A grand parade and street dancing with participants dressed in scarecrow costumes.
MALUMAGPAK CHALLENGE
May 26-30 / New Bataan, Compostela Valley, A trek to Mt. Manurigao-Malumagpak, one of the region’s newly discovered eco-tourism destinations.
Carabao Festival
Date: May 14 – Location: Angono, Rizal
Farmers pay tribute to their patron saints; a procession of carabao carts bearing a myriad local produce is held; prizes are awarded to the strongest and most beautifully decorated carabaos.
Pulillan Carabao
Date: May 14 Location: Pulilan, Bulacan.Hundreds of festively adorned carabaos are paraded by their farmer-owners on the street leading to the church; there they are made to kneel down homage to San Isidro de Labrado, the patron saint of farmers.
Pahiyas sa Quezon
Date: May 15 Location: Sariaya, Lucban, Tayabas, Quezon. Homes are decked with kiping (multi-colored paper thin, leaf-shaped rice kropeck) and harvested vegetables; trade fair; civic parades, procession, and other activities.
Obando Fertility Rites
Date: May 17 to 19 Location: Obando, Bulacan. A three-day fiesta celebration in honor of San Pascual, Baylon, Sta. Clara and Nuestra Senora de Salambao. Childless couples, thankful parents, grateful farmers and fishermen dance along the streets together with colorfully customed women to pray for children and a good harvest.
Tapusan sa Kawit
Date: May 30 Location: Kawit, Cavite. A procession of gaily decorated floats decked with flowers of Maytime honors the Blessed Virgin. The participation of the town’s most beautiful young ladies symbolizes the purity and innocence of the Blessed Mother.
ALIWAN GRAND FIESTA
Date: May 01-03 / Star City, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. A three-day event that will highlight the country’s 16 regions at their best with the largest carnival-style parade. Major components are the festival, float and fireworks competitions. It will also feature nightly concerts of the country’s best performers and biggest cultural market with products and food from the 16 regions.
BAWANG (GARLIC) FESTIVAL
May 01-03 / Sinait, Ilocos Sur (8 hours from Manila by land). Competitions and exhibits include the biggest garlic, longest and most creative twined garlic bulbs.
DAVAO GULF REGATTA
May 01-04 / Davao Oriental (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila by air). A regionwide float parade competition featuring decorated bancas and vintas of different designs.
ANTIPOLO PILGRIMAGE
May 01-31/Antipolo, Rizal (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land). An age-old tradition of the devotees of Our Lady of Good Voyage who make the long pilgrimage on foot from Manila to Antipolo.
MAGAYON FESTIVAL
May 01-31 / Albay (55 minutes from Manila by air)
A celebration immortalizing the origin of Mt. Mayon as inspired by Albay’s famed legend Daragang Magayon (beautiful maiden). It, likewise, showcases Albay’s rich history, arts, and culture, trade, travel and tourism.
CARABAO-CARROZA FESTIVAL
Date: May 03 / Pavia, Iloilo.Features a parade of 18 gaily decorated bamboo sleds and a race among carroza-pulling carabaos on a 400-meter course.
Date: May 04 / La Carlota City, Negros Occidental Bacolod City. Thanksgiving to the God of Agriculture living inside Kanlaon Volcano.
VIVA VIGAN FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
Date: 1st week of May / Vigan, Ilocos Sur
A festival in a setting repletes with history, heritage, and cultural treasures.
MALAKAWAN “PINYA” FESTIVAL
Date: May 09-15 / Calauan, Laguna. Promotes the juicy and sweetest pineapple or “pinya” as the main agricultural product of the town of Calauan.
BEAR BRAND KITEFEST
Date: May 11 / Rizal Park, Manila.A wholesome event for the entire family to bond and have fun together and provides opportunities for everyone to showcase the Filipino artistry.
AGAWAM SA SARIAYA
Date: May 11-15 / Sariaya, Quezon. A thanksgiving celebration to the Lord for the good harvest and abundance of agricultural production.
MAYOHAN SA TAYABAS
Date: May 11-15 / Tayabas, Quezon. A thanksgiving event marked with agro-trade fair and the famous agawan ng suman in honor of San Isidro Labrador, patron saint of farmers, for the good harvest and abundance of agricultural produce.
Iloilo has nice santacruzan, hope you can feature one 🙂
hAPPY FIESTA! Congrats, La Carlota!
The Pasalamat Festival is sometimes held on the the Last week of April just like this year. A very colorful festival.