List of Festivals in the Philippines: February

Do you want to witness and be part of the exciting and colorful cultural activities in the Philippines in this month of February?
 

Please check out this list of popular fiestas or festivals happening this February.

Tinagba Festival

Location: Iriga City, Province of Camarines Sur
Details: The festival is celebrated every first until the second week of February. Its highlight is the carabao parade where farmers decorate their carabaos and carts with colorful props for tourists to admire. The carts would then be filled up with their best products which will be blessed in a mass before finally sharing it with the less fortunate townspeople. This festival is a thanksgiving to the bountiful harvest in the upcoming months. The word tinagba means "first harvest offering" in Bicolano.

Suman Festival

Location: Baler, Province of Aurora
Details: The festival is celebrated every 14th to 19th of February. Its highlights are the float parade and the coronation of the Binibining Aurora. Visitors should take note of the numerous suman(native rice cake) that is used as the main decoration in streets and houses. This festival is thanksgiving and promotion for the special product of Baler which is the suman.

Babaylan Festival

Location: Bago City, Province of Negros Occidental
Details: The festival is celebrated every 19th of February. Its highlight is the tribal dances which depict the rituals of the babaylans such as healing, baptism, marriage, and others. This festival is a way to promote the rich culture of the people of Negros Occidental and to also remind the new generation about the past of the province. The word babaylan means "miracle-worker".


Itik-Itik Festival

Location: Pasig City, Metro Manila
Details: The festival is celebrated every last Sunday of February. Its highlight is the street dancing, duck cooking contest, boat race, and fluvial procession. This festival is a way to promote the local itik industry and also to showcase the rich culture of the townspeople. Itik is the local term for a duck.

Salakayan Festival

Location: Miag-ao, Province of Iloilo
Details: The festival is celebrated every first week of February. Its highlight is the tribal dances which depict the battle against the Moro pirates. This festival serves as a reminder to the new generation about the glorious past of the province. The word salakayan means "to attack".

Panagbenga Festival

Location: Baguio City, Province of Benguet
Details: The festival is celebrated every last week of February until the first Sunday of March. Its highlight is the floral parade where a number of beautifully decorated floral floats would pass by Session Road and would end at Melvin Jones Grounds. This festival demonstrates the beauty and culture of Baguio City. The word panagbenga is a Kankanaey word that means "season of blossoming".

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Location: Angeles City, Province of Pampanga
Details: The festival is celebrated every second week of February. Its highlight is the Night Glow or the flight of the hot air balloons during the night. This festival was once meant to boost the spirits of the people of Pampanga after the Mt. Pinatubo disaster, since then it serves as a tourist magnet for the province. 

Bulang-Bulang Festival

Location: San Enrique, Province of Negros Occidental
Details: The festival is celebrated every 2nd until the 9th of February. Its highlight is the street dance where the performers wear costumes like that of a game fowl. This festival gives recognition to the gamefowl industry which serves as a major source of livelihood of the town. The word bulang-bulang means a gaff or the steel spur of a gamecock.

"Sambalilo" Hat Festival

Location: Paranaque City, Metro Manila
Details: The festival is celebrated every 13th of February. Its highlight is the Sambalilo dance competition which showcases the beautiful hats and costumes of the dancers. This festival serves as a reminder of how hard-working the people of Paranaque is during the Spanish salt-making era of the city until the present. The word sambalilo originated from the Spanish word sombrero which means hat.

Asinan Festival

Location: San Lorenzo, Province of Guimaras
Details: The festival is celebrated on the 19th of February. Its highlight is the food (not all food served here is salty though). This festival promotes the hospitality of the people of San Lorenzo. Tourists would surely enjoy the blend of food and laughter at this festival. The word asin means salt.

Balsahan Festival

Location: Sibunag, Province of Guimaras
Details: The festival is celebrated on the 20th of February. Its highlight is the balsa race in the Sibunag River. This festival gives importance to the mystical Sibunag River that snakes to almost every barangay of the town. The word balsa means raft.

Hamaka Festival

Location: Taytay, Province of Rizal
Details: The festival is celebrated on the 3rd week of February. Its highlight is the street dancing, fashion show, and trade exhibit which shows the craftsmanship and artistry of the people of Taytay. This festival showcases the artistic side of the people of Taytay through woodworks, sewing, and fashion design. The word hamaka is an abbreviated word for hamba, makina, at kasuotan which means woodwork, sewing machinery, clothing/ fashion.

Sibug-Sibug Festival

Location: Whole Province of Zamboanga Sibugay
Details: The festival is celebrated on the 26th week of February. Its highlight is the colorful ethnic street dancing that depicts good harvest, weddings, and healing rituals. This festival celebrates the foundation day of the province and promotes the primary produce of the province which is the oyster or talaba. The word sibug-sibug is derived from the name of the province.

Sampaguita Festival

Location: San Pedro, Province of Laguna
Details: The festival is celebrated from the 21st to the 22nd of February. Its highlight is the grand parade of colorful floats and the coronation night of the "Hiyas ng San Pedro". This festival aims to promote tourism in the town of San Pedro and revitalize the industry of the Sampaguita. The Sampaguita is a flower of the species of jasmine. It is also the national flower of the Philippines.


Laguimanok Festival

Location: Padre Burgos, Province of Quezon
Details: The festival is celebrated every 14th to 17th of February. Its highlight is the parade of floats, street dancing, beauty pageant, kayak race, and chicken roasting competition. This festival celebrates the foundation day of the town of Padre Burgos. The name laguimanok came from the Laguimanok bay in the town of Padre Burgos.

Caragan Festival

Location: Mabalacat, Province of Pampanga
Details: The festival is celebrated on the 3rd week of February. Its highlight is the celebration of the traditional Aeta culture. This festival aims to promote the rich history of the town of Mabalacat. The name caragan came from the name of the first chieftain of Mabalacat who is a native Aeta.

Tinapay Festival

Location: Cuenca, Province of Rizal
Details: The festival is celebrated every 7th to the 13th of February. Its highlight is the float parade where the floats are decorated with different types of bread. This festival is in honor of the patron saint of the town which is the Our Lady of Peace and Safe Travels. The word tinapay means bread.

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Location: Philippines

Comments

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  2. AnonymousMarch 26, 2023 at 3:29 PM

    Can you add more for Pasig City please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioMarch 28, 2023 at 9:03 PM

      Sure! I would research more about Pasig. Do you have any recommendations?

      Delete

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