FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

Dinagyang, one of the famous festivals in the Philippines, held every January 

FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

Must read: FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Here are the famous festivals in the Philippines for the month of January.

Sinulog sa Kabankalan [Kabankalan, Negros Occiental]

Locals of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental come together in unique mostly handmade costumes while their bodies are painted in black. They are celebrating the feast of El Señor Sto. Niño.

FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

Sinulog, of the famous festivals in the Philippines, held every January 

Sinulog Festival [Cebu City]

The Sinulog is an annual fiesta held on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City and Maasin City, Southern Leyte, Philippines. The festival commemorates the Bisayan people’s pagan origin and their acceptance of Roman Catholicism.

The main feature is a street parade with participants in bright-colored costumes dancing to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs. Smaller versions of the festival are held in various parts of the province, also to celebrate and honor the Santo Niño. There is also a “Sinulog sa Kabataan” performed by the youths of Cebu a week before the parade. Recently, the festival has been promoted as a tourist attraction, with a contest featuring contingents from various parts of the country. The Sinulog Contest is usually held at the Cebu City Sports Complex.

FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

Bailes de Luces, one of the famous festivals in the Philippines, held every January 

Bailes de Luces (La Castellana, Negros Occidental) (December -January)

Bailes De Luces which is a celebration of Charter Day. This event is a festival of thanksgiving and the highlight of this celebration, held on the 5th January, in Negros Occidental is the use of lights or “luces” as props and adornment and its nocturnal festivities and street dancing.

Dinagsa

Dinagsa Festival [ Cadiz City, Negros Occidental] 

The Cadiz City Ati-Atihan Festival began in the year 1972. It was the brainchild of some of the members of the Samaria House Council of Cadiz City, a lay religious organization of the Catholic Church. The festival was a product of exigency, as some of the members of the Council were alarmed with the popular habit of the local residents to gamble in cockfights rather than offering homage to the City’s Patron, during the Feast of the Santo Niño. As if stricken by a flash of genius, the founding fathers of Cadiz Ati-Atihan thought of a way by which the feast of their Patron may be truly celebrated by acts of gratitude and praises, rather than by cockfights. These founding fathers, led by Msgr. Vicente Salgado, the then Parish Priest of the Sto. Niño Parish made history. It was then that the Cadiz City Ati-Atihan Festival came into being.

Ati-Atihan

Ati-Atihan, one of the famous festivals in the Philippines, held every January 

Ati-atihan Festival [Aklan]

One of the grandest street parties in the Philippines, this feast celebrates the Sto. Niño. It is held on every third week of January in Aklan and is more popularly known around the world as Ati-Atihan. During this event, the locals of Aklan and tourists put marks on their faces similar to masks. They are supposed to resemble Negritos who are dancing to vibrant ethnic music produced mostly by drums and other local instruments.

Dinagyang Festival [Iloilo City]

Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival held in the city of Iloilo. Anyone attending the Dinagyang Festival must shout the words “Hala Bira” as they dance to the vivacious music along the populated streets. Just like most of the festivals in the Philippines, Dinagyang Festival is also very colorful and joyful.

Araw ng Koronadal

Occasion: During this feast, people of Koronadal City in Mindanao celebrate various cultural facades that have settled in the city over the years.

Sto. Nino Festival [Bulacan]

Occasion: This festival is held on different days in different provinces of the Philippines. In Bulacan, this festival is held during the last Sunday of January. In some other provinces, it’s held during the first Sunday of January. The festivities are somehow different in some regions but basically the local and foreign tourists have an opportunity to see very well-made Catholic images and statues of the Child Jesus, known locally as the Sto. Niño in various manifestations.

Pista ng Tatlong Hari (Feast of the Three Kings) 

Date 2013: Sunday, 6 January
Occasion: During the feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Epiphany, in Philippines people usually pray and prepare gifts for Melchor, Gaspar, and Balthazar. This feast usually marks the official end of the liturgical Christmas in the Philippines.

Pista ng Mahal na Nazareno (feast of the Black Nazarene)

Catholics and devotees of the Black Nazarene come together in what has always been an all-day intense procession carrying the huge cart where the Black Nazarene lies. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world come to the Philippines (Manila) to be a part of the procession of the Black Nazarene.

Zambulawan

During this feast, people of Koronadal City in Mindanao celebrate various cultural facades that have settled in the city over the years.

Pasungay festival in San Joaquin [Bull Fighting Festival – San Joaquin, Iloilo]

Pasungay is an annual festival held in the town of San Joaquin, Iloilo. Local people say that the Pasungay begun when two furious bulls were set loose by the cow keepers and the fighting bulls in the hillside was witnessed by the resting farmers. During this festival, spectators cheer as they watch bulls from the town and nearby areas fight. There’s also another annual festival held in the town of San Joaquin on the same day. It’s called Pahibag – the annual horse fight festival.

FAMOUS FESTIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES FOR JANUARY

OTHER FESTIVALS DURING JANUARY:

Feast of the Three Kings –  Gasan, Marinduque

Lingayen Gulf Landing Anniversary –  Lingayen, Pangasinan

Biniray   –  Romblon

 Binanog Festival –  Lambunao, Iloilo

Coconut “Coco”  –  San Pablo City, Laguna

Makato Santo Niño  –  Makato, Aklan

Pasungay  –  San Joaquin, Iloilo

Batingaw   –  Cabuyao City

Kahimunan   –  Butuan City

Pangisdaan –  Navotas City

Kinaradto  –  Buenavista, Guimaras

Batan Ati-Ati Malakara  – Batan, Aklan

Fire Works Display and Contest –   Iloilo City

Caracol   –  Makati City

Bansudani Festival (Feast of The Divine Savior) –  Bansud, Oriental Mindoro

Sadsad sa Kalye –  Janiuay, Iloilo

Binuligay   –  Jamindan, Capiz

Feast of the Santo Niño – 3rd Sunday, Nationwide

Sto Niño de Malolos   –  Malolos City

Pintauo  –  Ibarra, Maasin City

Altavas Santo Niño  –   Altavas, Aklan

Feast of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage –  La Carlota City

Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipal and Devotional Fiesta – Ibajay, Aklan

Sana-aw Festival –  Jordan, Guimaras

Hinirugyaw   –  Calinog, Iloilo

Balot sa Puti   –  Pateros

Boling-Boling   –  Catanauan, Quezon

I am sure that there still more celebrations held every January which is not included here. Please feel free to leave your comments and information here. Have a Happy Fiesta!

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