Food and Culture Mix: Colorful Festivals In The Philippines

The Philippines is a beautiful country with very colorful culture. Within the general Filipino culture, there are cultures and traditions that each province carry, maintain, and cultivate. It is easy to keep each tradition unique because of the geographic situation of the country which is comprised of 7,107 islands. Being isolated as an island, it is most likely that a province is able to keep its own originality, and this is evident in many festivities that are celebrated around the country.

Here are some postcards that feature different festivals in the Philippines:

Masskara Festival is held in Bacolod City on the weekend nearest to October 19.
Masskara is coined from the word :mass" which means "crowd" and the
Spanish word "cara" which means face.
The two words combined have the local word for "mask".
This festival showcases colorful costumes of masks made of papier mache or molded clay.

Sandugo Festival in Tagbilaran city, Bohol, is a month long festival held every July,
in commemoration of the 16th century peace treaty occured on March 16, 1565
through a blood compact or "sandugo" between Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol,
and Spanish conquestidor Miguel lopez de :Legaspi.
The festival showcases Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant and street dancing competition.

Kadayawan Festival is held every 3rd week of August in Davao City.
It showcases Muslim, Chinese, and tribal influences with parades, performances,
and fruit and flower displays. Davao is known for its Mt. Apo, the monkey-eating eagle,
and famous king of fruit, Durian.

Tuna Festival is an annual week long festival held every 4th week of September,
in General Santos City, highlighting the significant role of tuna industry.
It showcases Parada sa Dagat (Sea Parade) and street dancing and float parade.

Moriones Festival is held during Holy Week from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday
Marinduque. Morion means "mask" or "visor", a part of medieval Roman Centurion
which covers the face. This is a religious festival that re-enacts the story of Saint Longinus,
a Roman Centurion who was blind in one eye.

The are more festivities other that these that are held every year in the Philippines. Of the 5 featured here, I've been only to 1 which is the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. Though I remember celebrating many fiestas in Bohol before, I was too young then to understand what they were all about.

I don't want to be a foreigner in my own country so it is my hope that the next time I visit the Philippines, I would like to travel some more within the country, get to know the local traditions of each province or city, and of course, observe more festivities.