Philippine Festivals: Ati-atihan and Dinagyang

Study Notes

Indigenous Festivals in the Philippines

Kalilangan Festival
- Celebrated every February in General Santos City.
- A gathering of diverse indigenous groups promoting unity, peace, and cultural diversity.
- Activities include street dancing, traditional sports, and cultural presentations.
Lanzones Festival
- Takes place in the 3rd week of October on Camiguin Island.
- Celebrates the lanzones fruit, abundant in the region.
- Features street dancing and showcases local delicacies and products.
Masskara Festival
- Held on the 4th Sunday of October in Bacolod City.
- Originated in response to challenges faced in the 1980s, celebrating resilience and happiness.
- Known for colorful masks and vibrant street dances.
Moriones Festival
- Celebrated during Holy Week in Marinduque.
- Reenacts the story of Longinus, the Roman centurion at the Crucifixion.
- Participants dress as Roman soldiers with masks and costumes.
Obando Fertility Dance Festival
- Occurs every May 17-19 in Obando, Bulacan.
- Dedicated to patron saints: St. Claire, St. Paschal Baylon, and Our Lady of Salambao.
- Features a fertility dance where couples pray for a child.
Pahiyas Festival
- Celebrated on May 15 in Lucban, Quezon.
- Honors San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.
- A thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest, with houses decorated using colorful rice wafers.
Panagbenga Festival
- A month-long celebration every February in Baguio City.
- Commemorates the blooming of local flowers, especially orchids.
- Emerged as a way to recover from the 1990 Luzon earthquake, featuring floral floats and street dancing.
Santacruzan
- Celebrated in May throughout the Philippines.
- Honors the finding of the True Cross by Queen Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine.
- Also known as Flores de Mayo.
Sinulog Festival
- Takes place on the 3rd Sunday of January in Cebu City.
- Honors the Sto. Niño with a grand parade, featuring traditional dances and chants of "Pit Senyor!"
Sublian Festival
- Celebrated on July 23 in Batangas City.
- Showcases the Batangueños' devotion to the Holy Cross.
- Involves traditional songs, dances, and rituals.
Ati-atihan Festival
- Held on the 3rd Sunday of January in Kalibo, Aklan.
- Celebrates the Sto. Niño and the arrival of Malay settlers in the Philippines.
- Participants wear colorful costumes and paint their bodies black, imitating the Ati.
Dinagyang Festival
- Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of January in Ilo-Ilo City.
- Honors the Sto. Niño and depicts the arrival of Malay settlers.
Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia
- Takes place on the 3rd Saturday of September in Naga City.
- Honors the miraculous image of Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
- Features a fluvial procession along the Bicol River.
Ibalong Festival
- Celebrated every August in Legazpi City, Albay.
- Based on the epic "Ibalong," narrating heroic adventures and mythical tales.
- Features street dances celebrating Bicolano culture.
Kaamulan Festival
- Held every February in Malaybalay City.
- A gathering of Mindanao's indigenous peoples to celebrate their culture and traditions.
- Also marks the foundation anniversary of the province.
Kadayawan Festival
- Celebrated in the 3rd week of August in Davao City.
- A thanksgiving festival for life, nature, and abundant harvests.

Description

Test your knowledge of two popular festivals in the Philippines: Ati-atihan and Dinagyang. Learn about the dates, places, and significance of these celebrations, including their connection to the Sto. Niño and the indigenous people of Panay Island.