Philippine Festivals Music Analysis

Philippine Festivals

• Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan is hailed as the "Mother of Philippine Festivals" by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
• Ati-atihan Festival started in the 16th century, where participants portray the natives of Kalibo, Aklan called "Ati or Aetas".
• The festival is held annually every third week of January, featuring a tribal dance parade with drum music.
• The festival honors Santo Nino as their patron, and people cheer and shout "Hala Bira!" and "Viva Santo Nino!" to encourage enthusiasm and continuous dancing.

Sinulog Festival

• The Sinulog Festival is an annual religious festival characterized by appealing music, colorful costumes and props, and street dances in honor of the Philippines' most famous historic relic – the Santo Niño de Cebu.
• The festival features street dancing, harana, indigenous people games, and Lupakan.
• "Nilupak" is a delicacy shared during the festival, made from cassava, sweet potato, or banana.

Moriones Festival

• The Moriones Festival is a colorful folk-religious festival during holy week in Marinduque, reenacting the story of Saint Longinus.
• The festival is a celebration of the "Festival de Moros y Cristianos" in Valencia, Spain.
• Participants wear Morion's costumes, which are heavy wooden masks, and play the role of Roman soldiers for an entire week.

Kadayawan Festival

• The Kadayawan Festival is held in Davao every 3rd week of August to celebrate thanksgiving for good harvest.
• The festival features parade floats of fresh fruits and flowers, and street dancing with colorful tribal costumes and accessories.
• The term "Kadayawan" comes from the word "Madayaw", meaning thanksgiving for nature's gift, warm and friendliness greeting, and to describe things that are good, valuable, superior, and beautiful.

Ibalong Festival

• The Ibalong Festival is held in the Bicol Region, aiming to express friendliness, enthusiasm, and goodwill to all people.
• The festival commemorates the three heroes of the Bicol epic in the town of Ibalong, namely Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong.
• People parade in the streets wearing masks and costumes like the heroes and villains of the epic.