Favorite Philippine Festivals That Locals and Tourists LoveThe Philippine Festivals number in the hundreds and are scattered all over the Philippine Islands. Some are big and are nationally and internationally popular especially to Filipinos living overseas, and many are small in the hundreds of towns, cities and barangays that are age long traditions. Manny Filipinos living abroad along with foreign tourists travel back to the Philippines to experience some of the biggest festivals like the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, the Ati-Atihan of Aklan, the Black Nazarene of Quiapo in Manila and a lot more. The colorful festivities, the variety of authentic Filipino foods and the traditional hospitality of the people are the main attractions in these localities during the festivals or locally known as "Fiestas". The Following are the most popular of the Philippine Festivals: January 9 in Quiapo, Manila - Feast of the Black Nazarene. The Black Nazarene is a statue of Jesus Christ which was brought to the Philippines by the Augustinian Recollect Missionaries on May 31, 1606. Every year the feast is celebrated by millions of devotees in Quiapo District, Manila. January 16-22 in Kalibo, Aklan - Ati-Atihan Festival. This lively and colorful festival is in honor of the Sto. Niņo (Infant Jesus) and is one of the most popular festival in the Philippines. Participants are painted black as they dance and march in their colorful costumes. January 3rd Weekend in Cebu City - Sinulog Festival Also one of the popular festival in the country, the Sinulog Festival is the Feast of the Sto. Niņo. It is like Cebu City's version of the Ati-Atihan of Aklan, where revelers wear colorful costumes and march while they street dance. February in Baguio City - Panagbenga Festival. Also known as Baguio Flower Festival, it is the city's biggest festival that celebrates the blooming season. Floats parade, street dancing where participants are dressed in floral costumes. April Holy Week in Magpoc, Marinduque - Moriones Festival. A colorful and popular festival where participants wear Roman Soldier costumes as they re-enact the life of Saint Longinus. Other Festivals worth mentioning: Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City every last weekend of January Santacruzan is nationwide during the month of May Parada ng Lechon (roasted pig parade) in Balayan, Batangas every 24th of June Kadayawan sa Dabaw in Davao City every 3rd week of August Feast of Nuestra Seņora Peņafrancia in Naga City, Camarines Sur every 3rd Saturday of September. There are many more festivals in the Philippines that I intentionally omitted due to it's list length. All of the festivals I mentioned are festive and are worth the experience.
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