Philippine Festivals

With Cebu and Bohol already ticked off the list, it is high time for my third Visayan destination which, I think, is long-overdue. What better place to go than the City of Smiles, Bacolod City. My 2018 is already filled with a roster of firsts, and this trip is a great addition to that never-ending list.

Pasigarbo sa Sugbo is a grand cultural showcase of the different festivals in the 44 towns (municipalities and component cities) that comprise the Province of Cebu. This most-anticipated annual event happens in August in line with the province's month-long founding anniversary celebration. 

The Karansa Festival is an annual thanksgiving and merry-making celebration of the Danaowanons to Sto. Thomas de Villanueva.  It is held every September, the month-long festival showcases the city’s past and present heritage and culture.

Wattah stands for “water” as this festival is offered to St. John, who cleansed and prepared the people for the coming of Jesus Christ by baptizing them. Regardless of who you are or where you’re from, everyone — and I mean everyone — gets a fair chance of getting drenched at the Wattah Wattah Festival

The Kahimunan Festival which is dubbed as the biggest festival in the Caraga region is an annual thanksgiving celebration of Santo Niño. The festival which aims to promote the rich and vibrant culture and tradition of the locals was founded by the first Parish Priest of Sto Niño Parish in Libertard, Rev. Fr. Juanito Belino

Minglanillahanons and devotees from all walks of life gather at dawn of Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival is Minglanilla’s highly-anticipated event that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Sugat is a Cebuano word for ‘meeting’, while kabanhawan is for ‘resurrection’.

The Saulog Festival in Tagbilaran City, Bohol is an annual cultural affair honoring St. Joseph the Worker. The Saulog Festival was inspired from the local word “saulog” which means “to celebrate” or “to commemorate“. The first Saulog Festival was held in April 2013.