Historic events highlight October festivals in Visayas

Its show time! The Philippines sizzle with festivals this October especially in Mindanao and the Visayan islands. Festivals this time of the year revolve on celebration of fruit harvests, religious events and foundation days. The streets come alive with dancing and gaiety. The holding of religious events are also observed this month. Shops are a bustle and fruits, crops, handicrafts are displayed for the buyer’s choise. Celebration of historic events highlight festivals in Visayas.

VISAYAS

The Visayas islands has a line up of festivals this month celebrated with street dances and agro fairs.

The Masskara Festival of Bacolod City like the Ati-Atihan of Antique is a festive parade of people wearing colorful masks to make life beautiful and happy despite the hardships of life. This mardi-gras day which runs from October 1-22 also coincides with the Charter Day of Bacolod.

Similarly, street dancing will be the limelight here at the Buglasan Festival on October 22 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental. Similarly, Ibalong Festival is held from October 6 to 12 in Albay, the place which locates the famous Mayon Volcano.

In Catanduanes, the Catandungan Padayaw is held October 21- September 23 in celebration of the province’s founding anniversary. Street dance – Pantomina, beauty pageant, agro-trade fair, sports events, guided tours, photo exhibits highlight the festival.

Pista ng Gubat at Pandan, Antique, reminds the need to observe biodiversity in Northwest Panay. This event is annually held October 1st.

The historic Leyte Gulf Landing Anniversary on October 17-20, commemorates the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the shores of Palo, Leyte.

Mangyan tribes have their festive reunion during the Pamugu-an Festival on October 17-23. Mansalay, Mindoro Oriental. Still in Mindoro Oriental, the Kapakyanan Festival is held October 14-15 to observe the abundance of fruits and crops.

The Halad Festival on October 15 shall be held in Talisay, Cebu in celebration of the feast in honor of Sta. Teresa de Avila. The streets come alive with trade fairs, nightly variety shows, street dancing, cooking demonstration and food fair.

Here at Sorsogon, Kasanggayahan (prosperity) Festival on October 15- 25
commemorates the Foundation Anniversary of Sorsogon. The Cimarrones Festival on October 16- 26 at Pili, Camarines Sur is highlighted by grand street presentations depicting the local culture and history of Cimarrones believed to be the early inhabitants of Pili.

The Aswang Festival on October 29-30 at Roxas City festival intends to turn the aswang impression with a highlight on Capiz’ quality seafood products.

Iloilo holds two festivals which happen on the same dates. Saludan Festival on October 29- 31 observes the dialect used for the crude method of threshing rice, catching fingerlings through nets. The Cry of Jelicuon Festival happens on the same days at New Lucena, Iloilo. The festival commemorates the historic undertaking of Ilonggo revolucionarios, led by Gen. Martin Delgado and volunteers who revolted against the Spanish government.

Religious festivals
Here at Central Luzon are religious festivals. In Angeles City, the faithful kiss the feet of the Image of Christ prior to several masses held at the Holy Rosary parish church on October 28. Tigitigan at tarakan keng dalan Festival begins the same day at Balibago, Angeles City

The month-long celebration of two fiestas- La Naval and Fiestang Apu- the Fiestang Kuliat in Angeles City culminates with street singing and dancing on October 9 in commemoration of the Virgin of the Holy Rosary.

Feast of St. Francis of Assissi called Pagoda happens October 4 at Cardona, Rizal.An annual procession is held to ask the Lord Almighty for a bountiful and blessed lake through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi.

Meantime, Muslim brothers and sisters celebrate the Holy month of Ramadhan this October. A month-long fasting of Muslims, Ramadhan is one of the pillars of Islam’s religious and cultural Activities. Eid’l Fitr celebrates the end of the one-month fasting. Activities includes mobile “Takbir”, Quran reading, fireworks display, Pagana and foodgiving.


SOURCES

October festivals

October festivals

Photo credit: Masskara

Photo credit: Pagoda