RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS

Dubbed as the "Fiesta Island of the Pacific," the Philippines is home to rich, colorful and lively
festivals. From Luzon to Visayas, down to the southern tip of Mindanao. Filipinos have various
ways of celebrating life’s abundance which are clear expressions of their religiosity and strong
faith in their creator. Fiestas showcase Filipino ingenuity at its finest.
The fiesta is part and bundle of Filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must
go on. Each city and barrio has at least one local festival of its own, usually on the feast day of its
patron saint, so that there is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the country. But the most
elaborate festival of all is Christmas, a season celebrated with all the display and show the fun-
loving Filipino can handle.
1. The Pahiyas Festival is celebrated every 15th of the hot summer month of May. An extravagant
and colorful affair in the quiet town of Lucban, held in honor of San Isidro Labrador and is the
farmers’ thanksgiving for a rich and bountiful harvest. The townspeople prepare many things for
this festival, among them is the all-important, Kipling. These are leaf-shaped, multi-colored rice -
paste wafers used to decorate their houses with, along with agricultural produce like fruits,
vegetables and flowers. This visual representation of the festival has garnered international
recognition.
The making of Kipling is a time-consuming and tedious work, starting with the selection of leaves
to use as molding. The kinds of leaves that are good to use are banana (saba), talisay (umbrella
tree), and kakao (cocoa). The leaves should be mature enough so they can be used more than once
and do not break off easily. These are cut down (usually snipping off the edges to make the sizes
and shape uniform), and wiped clean to avoid any gathering of dirt and inconsistency of color.
The preparation of the rice paste is more difficult. Laon, a kind of sticky rice, is used. It is stocked
for a year, soaked for 2 hours and then ground, mixed with water, food coloring and salt. The
resulting paste is spread individually on each leaf then steamed for 30 minutes. It will be left to
dry under a shade and peeled off, placed one on top of another under a weight and compressed for
half a day. These are stored in either a clean box or hanged.
People believe they should stay quiet when mixing, to avoid cracking on the Kipling, then the
paste will be spread individually on each leaf, steaming it for 30 minutes, left to dry under a shade
and peeled off, placed on top of one of another Kipling, placing under a weight and compressing
for half a day, and storing them either in a clean box or hanging them. Even though the process is
very long, the outcome is a beautiful sight to see.
2. The Obando Fertility Rite is a dance ritual and Catholic festival celebrated every May in
Obando, Bulacan. Locals and pilgrims dressed in traditional costumes, dance and sing in the town's
streets to honor and beseech Obando's three patron saints: San Pascual (Paschal Baylon), Santa
Clara (Clare of Assisi) and Nuestra Senora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao). The fertility
dance is both a festival and a prayerful appeal for devotees. Couples who are childless can take
this occasion to appeal for heavenly intercession and dance to please the Virgin of Salambao.
The townsfolk dress in traditional costumes; the ladies wear Filipiniana, with distinct designs and
colorful kimona’t saya, showing off the femininity and modesty of the ladies wearing them.
Colorful and vivid looking banderitas (flaglets) are seen hanging across the streets to welcome the
dancers and visitors, complementing the colorful costumes the dancers are wearing.
3. The Moriones is a costume worn by Marinduquenos on the western side of Marinduque.
However, it only takes place in three towns: Boac, Gasan, and Mogpog. This costume is worn
during a week-long festival called the "Moriones Festival." This festival is held during the Holy
week (last week of Lent - 40 day period of fasting beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on
Saturday before Easter). During this week, the Moriones costume must be worn every day for a
whole week (except during nighttime when the people can freely sleep and eat comfortably).
Morion means “mask” or “visor,” that covers the wearer’s face, which is part of the medieval
Roman armor worn in Biblical times.
This festival is characterized by colorful and realistic Roman costumes, vividly painted masks and
brightly colored tunics. It depicts the story of St. Longinus, the Roman centurion that miraculously
gained his eyesight when His eye was hit by Jesus’ blood when he stabbed Jesus beside his torso.
The masks are painted to look like surly Roman soldiers, detailing the eyes and facial expressions
supposedly worn by the centurions, which are made from papier-mache or hand-carved wood.
Indigenous materials are used for the garbs and armor, depending on the creativity of the maker,
and are sometimes adorned with varied colors of paper flowers. Other basic props include painted
wooden swords or spears, and shields. Traditionally, wearers’ identities remain anonymous till the
end of the festival, even to their families. This and the acting of being mean-tempered soldiers are
all part of the festival’s traditional experience.
4. Ati-Atihan is a festival in honor of the Santo Niño and is celebrated by rejoicing and energetic
merriment on the streets. The name means “make-believe Atis." The festival is also named after
the Ati (the indigenous natives of the island). The festival is held on the third week of January
every year on the second Sunday after Epiphany in Kalibo in the Aklan province on the island of
Panay. It is famous for being the wildest among the Filipino fiestas. This festival is very similar to
the Carnival celebration in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil with its elaborate attires and uninhibited
dancing to the frantic beating drums. People partake by painting their faces in many different ways
and designs and dress in creative, outstanding costumes.
The highlight of the festival is the native dance competition that runs for several days throughout
the festival. The competitors cover their body with soot and paint their faces to portray the Ati.
They wear different colored costumes, mostly made out of the following materials: walis tambo
(a soft broom used by most Filipinos); hair or tiger grass, which is made from native reeds; and
other indigenous materials to make the headdresses and garlands draped across the chest. The look
is completed with paper flowers, woven rattan, and even capiz pieces as accessories. They
sometimes wear long necklaces made out of wooden beads, painted brightly with various colors,
and are often seen with painted wooden spears and shields as well.
5. The City of Cebu is known for its lechon, dried mangoes, and the Sinulog festival. The native
dance of Sinulog commemorates the acceptance of the Filipino people of Christianity, more
specifically, Catholicism, to replace their belief of animalism.
The word “sulog” means river current, which pertains to the dance steps being similar to a river’s
push and, pull current. The main highlight of the festival is the grand street parade that lasts almost
a whole day, where the Sinulog participants are decked in brightly colored costumes, usually
similar to the Sto. Niños they display. The costumes are not limited to that, however, and
participants create their own variety of “Sto. Niño wear”, some are even dressed as angels and
other martyrs, made out of the most ornate materials and items, topped with different kinds of
accessories. They wear these very colorful and elaborate costumes while dancing and to the music
of the drums, trumpets and native gongs put together. On the last day of the Sinulog festival, a
water parade called the “Fluvial Procession” is held. A pump boat is decorated with flowers and
candles to honor the Sto. Nino riding on it. People lavish the boat with many ornaments and
designs, bringing to life the joy of embracing the ritual of the festival.
6. The Iloilo Dinagyang Festival is a showcase of the rich heritage, colorful history, passionate
devotion and fun-loving spirit of the llonggo people. The festival traces its roots as a thanksgiving
celebration in honor of Senyor Santo Niño, the child Jesus.
Today, it has grown to be one of the Philippines’ most spectacular religious and cultural festivals.
The root word, dagyang means 'to make happy’, that’s why colorful costumes and headdresses are
made to represent this celebration full of joy and wonder and to create happy memories for all who
are participating and watching. Warriors are dressed in colorful Aeta costumes and are made to
dance rhythmically and to perform various complicated formations to the thunderous beat of the
drums.
Outside the stages, everyone can enjoy the colorful costumes, booming drum beats, and energetic
dances of the performers. The tribes perform street dance routines along the entire parade route.
Vehicles are prohibited to enter the parade route and nearby streets. Walking is the prime mode of
transportation within Iloilo City Proper during the festivities.
One of the most popular and biggest celebrations during May is the Santacruzan or Flores de
Mayo, which means ‘Flowers in May’. Usually it is also celebrated with flower offerings for the
Blessed Virgin Mary in Catholic churches. One of the (most colorful aspects of the festival is the
portrayal of characters, in which there are a lot, and showing off of costumes, usually holding
pageants as well for the best well-dressed character. Each character depicts a personality and role
and is usually recognized by an icon or symbol they carry during a parade or procession.
The usual participants of the procession would go in this order or arrangement:
Biblical Figures and Traditional Personifications
1. Matusalem (Methuselah) - bearded and frail-looking because of his old age, usually seen
riding a cart and toasting grains of sand in a pan over a hot fire. He is reportedly the oldest
to have lived in the Bible.

2. Reyna Banderada (Queen with a banner) - representing the arrival of Christianity, she
is seen wearing a long red gown, bearing a yellow pennant or flag.

3. Aetas - they are the dark-skinned indigenous people of the Philippines, wearing similar
clothing to Ati-Atihan costumes.

4. Reyna Mora (Queen Moor) - represents Muslim Filipinos.

5. Reyna ng Saba (Queen of Sheba) - seen carrying a jewelry box, she represents the
unnamed queen that visited King Solomon and who was overwhelmed by his wisdom,
power and riches.

6. Ruth at Noemi (Ruth and Naomi) - A Moabite convert to Judaism and her mother-in-
law. Ruth is the ancestress of King David and is listed as one of the four women in the
Gospel’s genealogies of Jesus Christ.

7. Reyna Judith (Queen Judith) - she represents the biblical widow who saved her city from
the attack of Assyrians by slaying the cruel general Holofernes, she is seen carrying
Holofernes’ head in one hand, and her sword in another.

8. Reyna Ester (Queen Esther) - seen carrying a scepter, she represents the Jewish queen of
Persia, who spared her people from death.

9. Cleopatra - the famous, last active pharaoh of ancient Egypt, often seen with her male
escort, representing the Roman senator and general Mark Anthony.

10. Samaritana/Sta. Photina (The Female Samaritan) - carrying a water jug on her
shoulder, she represents the Samaritan woman at the well, with whom Christ conversed
with.

11. Sta. Veronica - the woman who wiped the face of Jesus with her veil.
 12. Tres Marias (Three Marys) - each holding a unique attribute
•Sta. Maria Magdalena (Mary Magdalene) - carrying a bottle of perfume who represents
anointing and wiping the feet of Jesus.
•Sta. Maria de Cleofas (Mary, mother of James, wife of Clopas) - is seen carrying a bottle
of oil.
•The Blessed Virgin Mary - is seen carrying a handkerchief, to show her mourning.
13. Reyna Fe (Queen Faith) - seen carrying a cross to symbolize Faith.

14. Reyna Esperanza (Queen Hope) - she carries an anchor, to symbolize Hope.

15. Reyna Caridad (Queen Charity) - carries a red colored heart, to symbolize Charity.

16. Reyna Sentenciada (Queen Convicted) - is seen with her hands bounded with rope, and
is sometimes accompanied with two Roman soldiers, she stands for the early Christians,
particularly virgins, who were persecuted and martyred for the faith.

MARIAN TITLES
1. Reyna Abogada (Queen Advocate/Lawyer) - her appearance represents her as a
defender of the poor and the oppressed, is seen wearing a black mortarboard cap,
graduation gown, and carries a large book.

2. Reyna Justicia (Queen Justice) - a personification of the "Mirror of Justice", her

carried symbols are a weighing scale and a sword.

3. Divina Pastora (Divine Shepherdess) - bears a shepherd's staff.

4. Reyna de los Angeles (Queen of Angels) - bears a bouquet of white flowers and is
escorted by angels.

5. Luklukan ng Karunungan (Seat of Wisdom) - carries a Bible.

6. Susi ng Langit (Key of Heaven) - bears two keys, one gold and the other silver, a
design adapted from the keys on the Papal arms.

7. Reyna de las Estrellas (Queen of the Stars) - holds a wand topped with a star.

8. Rosa Mistica (Mystical Rose)- carries a bouquet of roses.

9. Puso ni Maria/Corazon de Maria (Heart of Mary) - carries a pink heart.

10. Reyna del Santissimo Rosario (Queen of the Most Holy Rosary) - she carries a large
rosary.

11. Reyna Luna (Queen Moon) - she represents the moon, which serves as the footstool
of Mary as the Woman of the Apocalypse.

12. Reyna Candelaria (Queen of Candles) - she carries a long, lit taper or candle,
symbolizing the Purification of Mary.
13. Reyna de la Paz (Queen of Peace) - a dove, real or otherwise.

14. Reyna de los Patriarcas (Queen of Patriarchs) - bears a wooden rod.

15. Reyna de los Profetas (Queen of Prophets) - an hourglass.

16. Reyna de los Confesores (Queen of Confessors) - a scroll.

17. Reyna de los Martires (Queen of Martyrs) - the Crown of thorns or a pierced heart,
representing the Mater Dolorosa.

18. Reyna de los Apostoles (Queen of Apostles) - the palm of martyrdom.

19. Reyna de los Santos (Queen of Saints) - a golden wreath, symbolic of the crown of
the saints.

20. Reyna del Cielo (Queen of Heaven) - a flower; accompanied by two little "angels".

21. Reyna de las Virgenes (Queen of Virgins) - a rosary or a lily, the latter signifying
chastity; also escorted by two little "angels".

22. Reyna de las Flores (Queen of Flowers) - The Queen of the Flores de Mayo. She
carries a bouquet of flowers.

23. Reyna Emperatriz (Queen Empress) - a representation of Saint Helena of

Constantinople

24. Reyna Elena (Queen Helena) - always the last member of the procession, she
represents Saint Helena herself, whose Invention of the True Cross is symbolised by a
small cross or crucifix that she carries in her arms. This considerably prestigious role
is usually awarded to the most beautiful girl or important matron participating in the
pageant. In some communities, the identity of the woman playing Reyna Elena is a
closely guarded secret until the event itself, while other places are a bit more
accommodating with three Reynas Elenas in their Santacruzan.

25. Constantino - the escort of Reyna Elena representing the Emperor Constantine, who
is almost always played by a small boy in princely raiment.