Philippine Festivals

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.

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’.

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. 

Bacolod lives up to its name as the City of Smiles. After all, with so many things you can do, how can you not smile?

Sandurot is derived from a Visayan term pakig sandurot which means to come together or a fellowship. The Sandurot Festival is a celebration of the hospitality and openness of the Dumagueteños and an honor to the city's patroness, Sta. Catalina de Alejandria

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.

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.