Philippines — Events
Sinulog
The Sinulog festival, held the third Sunday of January every year, is a melting pot of cultures. It celebrates the vision of the Santo Niño, who was once the patron saint of Cebu City, however it now commemorates the Islamic and Pagan origins of the city’s inhabitants. It is largely a dance ritual, featuring colorful parades, boat processions, and competitions for puppeteers, photography, short films, music and more. The nine-day festival is now one of the region’s top tourist draws.
Moriones Festival
The Moriones Festival is one of the biggest and most colorful in the Philippines, having run annually since 1807. Beginning on Holy Monday and running through Easter Sunday each year, residents of Marinduque Island dress in costumes and masks to recreate the story of Saint Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. According to legend it was he who pierced Christ’s side, and the spurt of blood healed him. The re-enactments are all conducted with local flair, and take place all over the island.
Fête de la Musique
Originally an idea conceived in France, the Fête de la Musique festival is now celebrated in about 100 countries around the world on the same day. Cebu has one of the biggest and best of these musical meetings, with 150 bands of different musical genres pounding it out simultaneously on seven different stages in one venue on a single night. The music itself is a cocktail of everything of the best from jazz and rock, blues and alternative to electronic, reggae and ethnic percussion.
Feast of the Black Nazarene
Thousands of pilgrims from all over the country flock to Manila to be part of the procession accompanying the Christ statue known as the ‘Black Nazarene’ through the streets in the hope this will protect them from harm and ensure health, wealth and happiness for the coming year. The raucous cacophony of the procession lasts for about six hours. Traditionally all devotees marching along with the carriage bearing the statue and the colorful brass bands have to be barefoot. Traffic is disrupted in the city center for the duration. For more information email info@cityofmanila.com.ph
