2015 Fiesta of the Black Nazarene

Feast of the Black Nazarene

The Black Nazarene (Spanish: El Nazareno Negro), (Filipino: Poóng Itím na Nazareno), is a holy life-sized iconic statue of Jesus Christ carrying the cross to Calvary Hill in the Philippines. It displays one of the stations of the cross during the journey of His crucifixion. The image is one of two statues sculpted from pure ivory and were burnt aboard a ship during the Manila galleon expedition from Mexico leaving the other destroyed. The descriptive name of the sculpture is then taken it being "Black" resulting from the incident that happened. The older and more popular copy belonging to the Recollects was destroyed in the Second World War during the Liberation of Manila in 1945. Originally both of fair complexion referring to the natural skin tone of Jesus Christ as an impression of the artist. The statue is well-renowned in the Philippines and is believed to be miraculous and a religious pilgrimage to many Filipino Catholics.

The Black Nazarene is currently in its resting place at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Basilika Minor ng Itim na Nazareno)(colloquially known as the "Quiapo Church"). In honour of the statue, the image is carried and brought around the streets of Manila as an event of the "Fiesta of the Black Nazarene" (Pista ng Itim na Nazareno) displaying the importance of the Holy Stations of the Cross. The event is removed from public procession from its home basilica on two of three annual occasions on New Year's Day, Good Friday and is only currently being held on January 9 of its first novena feast. The January 9 feast was chosen as a date for the original transfer in 1787, the ninth day after New Year's Day and an enshrinement in the present Basilica is commemorated. The event is attended by millions of devotees that crowd the streets of processional route.

Parish Church of Quiapo
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno

Sakay-Sakay Abayan in Barangay Taft Surigao City

Barangay Taft in Surigao City annually celebrates a festival called Sakay-Sakay Abayan Festival. Being held every June 1, this procession at the sea is in honor of their patron saint Virgen dela Paz Y Buen Viaje. The patroness of good voyage is carried aboard a beautifully adorned lead vessel followed by several colorful motorboats and bancas that will pass along the historic Surigao Strait.

Dumaguete City's Sandurot Festival

Locals of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental annual held the SANDUROT FESTIVAL every 9th to 15th of November. It is a joyful celebration of the people of Dumaguete, their innate hospitality, friendliness, and their propensity to live harmoniously with people of different race, religion, and cultural beliefs. They have been known eversince to welcome strangers from different shores and countries, and to live with them in complete peace and understanding. “Sandurot” means a unity and genuine harmony.

Buyogan Festival @ Abuyog, Leyte

BUYOGAN FESTIVAL is an annual celebration in the town of Abuyog, Leyte. It is being held in conjunction with the time leading to the town's fiesta which is August 29, the St. Francis Xavier feast day. The highlight of this festival is the Buyogan Parade of brightly coloured bee dancers performing a choreographed bee dance with children buzzing around in a bee-like manner. Other participants put tribal henna designs on their faces and bodies which represent the ethnic history of the town.

The term "Buyogan" is derived from the town's name Abuyog. According to legend during the Spaniards time, Spaniards asked for the name of the town and an inhabitant mistakenly thought that they were asking for the swarm of bees flying around and the man answered "Ah! Buyog." Buyog is a waray term for bees and the rest is history.

Lal-lo, Cagayan Cabibi Festival

Photo by Travel Philippine Island 

CABIBI FESTIVAL is the patronal town fiesta of Lal-lo (former Ciudad Nueva Segovia during the Spanish colonial period) in Cagayan from August 1-4th of the year. The four-day festival features trade fairs and street dancing to celebrate the town’s transition from paganism into Christianity during the Spanish colonization. Cabibi is a local term for the shells found on the banks of Cagayan River.

Socorro, Mindoro Oriental Pakapya-Agtike Festival

The people of Socorro, Mindoro Oriental show their gratefulness and thanksgiving through an annual festivity called PAKAPYA-AGTIKE FESTIVAL for their bounty and blessed harvest. Every 26th day of July, they have lots of activities such as cultural shows done by people of Socorro, parade of colorful floats and the highlight of the event which is the street dancing competition done by the group of Mangyan Tribes, students, schools and barangays showing how blessed they are in terms of agriculture. It is also held in honor of their patron saint the Holy Family as a thanksgiving and to achieve a better harvest for the coming years.

Photo by: www.digplanet.com

Libon Paroy Festival of Albay

Photo by:  www.byaherosnapshots.com 

LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL is an annual festival held for four days from July 22-25 in Libon, Albay in honor of their patron Saint James the Greater. Libon is a first class municipality in Albay, its industry focuses on agriculture and it is known to be the Rice Granary of Albay thereby making rice crops as the foundation of their economy. Because of this rice economy situation rise the celebration of LIBON PAROY FESTIVAL which is also called KATALLINGKASAN which means renaissance and freedom. It has the intention of reviving the rich culture and heritage of the municipality that is why every barangay is encourage to participate in the occasion.

Pahinungod Festival of Carrascal, Surigao del Sur

Photo from: xxxmehide.blogspot.com 

The PAHINUNGOD FESTIVAL is Mardigras-like celebration which is performed around the streets of Carrascal in honor of their Patroness, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel every July 16th in Carrascal, Surigao del Sur.

Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts

The Viva Vigan Festival of Arts, held every first week of May, is one of the biggest festivities and cultural events in the north. The festival is held in the historical town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur featuring various events that demonstrates the cultural inclination and historical significance of the place.

The week-long celebration is filled with different merry-making activities held in the major streets of the town, like Plaza Burgos, Quezon Avenue, Liberation Boulevard and Crisologo, and Florentino Streets. The festive mood is characterized by Binatbatan street dancing. Other activities during the festival include Calesa parade, Karbo festival, ramada games, religious rituals, Santacruzan, trade and food fairs, Abel Iloko fashion shows, and exhibits.

Dayaw Dalan Festival San Jacinto, Ticao

The DAYAW DALAN FESTIVAL  is an annual festivity in the municipality of San Jacinto in Ticao held from May 1-3 in honor of its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Burgos.

photo:  http://maristimmeg.tripod.com

Dayaw is an old Tigaonon term which means "to show off, parade or display." In its strictest meaning, dayaw is to present with pride what is distinctly and essentially inherent in a person. Dalan on the other hand, means in olden times, a mountain trail which now includes path, street and highway.

Viva Sto. Niño pictures & festivals

HAPPY FIESTA !!!

Sto. Niño de Tondo Fiesta 

Sinulog Festival

Dinagyang Festival

Ati-Atihan Festival

Binanog Festival of Lambunao, Iloilo

In Lambunao, Iloilo, they have an annual celebration of BINANOG FESTIVAL every second Sunday of January. This festival is an exhibition of the Lambunaonons' deeply rooted culture. It centers on the native's "binanog dance" that replicates the mating ritual of the hawk or banog birds. The soul and dignified nature of the natives or bukidnons is evident in the calm movement of the arms and various footwork in the rhythm to the heartbeat of the gong. It depicts courtly pastime and stories that have been handed down from generation to generation.

The dance comprises of 3 acts:
BINANUGAN - the dancers copy the movements of birds.
INAGONG - dance movements of celebration.
DINAGMAY - the dance of courtship.

Diyandi Festival of Iligan City

Iligan's DIYANDI FESTIVAL is the city's month long cultural celebration. "Diyandi" is a local term which means "celebration." The festival concludes in the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel every September 29. This Iligan's extended celebration of traditions and culture was simply known before as "Pista sa Iligan" (Fiesta in Iligan). It is the busiest and most culturally gratifying experience second to Christmas in Iligan.

The festival is highlighted with various activities such as dance contest, Trisikad racing contest, ballroom dancing, cooking contest, cultural shows, Miss Iligan Beauty Contest, trade fairs, sports competition, concerts, street parties, clean-up drives and more.

Tawi-Tawi's Agal-Agal (Seaweeds) Festival

The industry of Agal-Agal gave birth to Agal-Agal (Seaweeds) Festival in Tawi-Tawi. It highlights the annual celebration of the province's "Kamahardikaan." Celebrated every September 25, these festivities were unique because of the inclusion of seaweeds as materials for costumes and props. Agal-Agal seedlings were displayed while food products made with seaweeds like leche flan were a hit. Add to this a Knotting contest that used agal-agal as props highlighting the prominence of seaweeds as a major source of livelihood in the province. Seaweeds are "pot of gold at the end of a rainbow" for the locals.

 

Los Baños Laguna: Bañamos Festival

BAÑAMOS FESTIVAL is an annual commemoration of a colorful history and culture of Los Baños, Laguna. It is being held every September 17-23. Bañamos is Spanish for 'we bathe'. The word appropriately traces the founding of the town during the Spanish period. The Franciscan Friars who were captivated by the abundance of hot springs and steam vents in the small settlement of Mainit set up public bathing places with spring water believed to be holy and have curative effects.

Los Baños, bounded by two natural geologic wonders: Mount Makiling and Laguna de Bay, enables landforms to be fertile soil, with clean air and potable water that influence and sustain the livelihood and lifestyle of residents. These gave rise to popular indigenous products – buko pie, ornamental plants, souvenir items and various homemade foodstuffs. Bañamos is a recognition of immense scientific talents.

This Science and Nature City hosts educational and research institutions that offer opportunities for study visits or science appreciation and discovery tours to visitors. Bañamos is a festivity of community spirit and pride of place.

Burdang Lumban Festival

Celebration of BURDANG LUMBAN FESTIVAL was adapted because of the continuing success of its embroidery industry. The town of Lumban is considered as the Embroidery Capital of the Philippines. The exquisite designs are embroidered on authentic Filipino formal wears, barong Tagalog and saya. Embroiderers use piña and jusi cloth in coming up with their finished products which are later sold locally and internationally.

The festival begins with a Thanksgiving Mass at San Sebastian Parish Church, followed by Trade Fair and Exhibit. In here, local producers displayed a collection of intricately embroidered and hand-painted items like Barong Tagalog, Baro't Saya, tableclothes, handkerchiefs, bridal accessories and more. It is being held during the third week of September.

It is during this week-long festivity that the people of Lumban proudly showcase the finest in embroidered products and cultural presentations. There are also street dancing with colorful and extravagant costumes, fashon show, competitions, talent shows and other fun-filled activities.

Sarakiki-Hadang Festival of Calbayog City

SARAKIKI-HADANG FESTIVAL is being celebrated in Calbayog City, Western Samar on the first week of September. The festivity is being held in honor of Our Lady of Nativity. The festival is being highlighted with the presentation of street dancers dressed like chickens.

Origin of the festival's name. From the local term ‘Sarakiki’ which describes the frenzied movements of a cockerel as it tries to charm a hen or provoke a fight with another cockerel. “Handang” means ritual dance and is used to court good favour with the gods to cure the sick and bring a good harvest.
 

Lal-lo Cabibi Festival

Lal-lo Cagayan (formerly named Nueva Segovia) is a town located in Region II in the Philippine map which is rich in pre-Hispanic history. This town is for a time enjoyed the lavish gifts of the Papal Throne and one of the four 1st earliest cities founded by the Spaniards in the latter part of the 15th century.

The town was named Nueva Segovia by Juan Pablo Carreon in 1581. Early settlers believed that the name of the municipality was derived from the word from the strong current of the Cagayan River, which called in the native dialect is “mal-lal-lal-lo”.

Every August the town celebrates its CABIBI FESTIVAL that falls on the 2nd day of August and is a week-long celebration of the towns’ fiesta. The annual festival is a tribute to the link between this town's pagan past and its Christian present.

 

Mercedes Kadagatan Festival

KADAGATAN FESTIVAL is a celebration of thanksgiving for the blessings and bounty during seafaring, fishing expedition and fish farming endeavors not just of the fishermen but the entire populace of Mercedes Municipality. The festival recognizes Mother Nature for its gift of vast fishing resources, magnificent shorelines and other aquatic potentials. It is a week-long celebration from August 1-8.

It’s original name was Mercedes Kadagatan Fishtival, conceived during the administration of Mayor Jimmy P. Lo, Fiscal year 1997. The Mercedes Kadagatan Fishtival is among the registered festivals in the Bicol Region under the Department of Tourism which has become a yearly activity. It was then featured in the calendar of Mercury Drug Corporation for three (3) edition covering the month of August. The Mercedes Kadagatan Fishtival was renamed to Kadagatan Festival in August 2003 under the administration of Mayor Pepito P. Lo.

Dumarao Padagyaw Festival

PADAGYAW FESTIVAL is being celebrated in Dumarao, Capiz every August 1 to 5. This cultural festival is a celebration in honor of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. It is being held every year mirrors the spirit of unity and cooperation of its people. One of the few is the street dancing and pista ng bayan. These are the concrete example of group effort. From one fermented idea of planners, action men and executions, they have translated their ideas and concepts into mass action of well rehearsed and well executed play, dancers and graceful rendition of songs and dances.