33/365: Philippine Festivities in the Month of February

2nd of February

Whoops!
I’m so into with my 30-Day Milestone  post that I almost forgot that I promised to provide a monthly schedule of the Philippine Feast and Festivals for the month of February.

Before you missed out an event here’s the list!
(Source: Department of Tourism Website)

SALAKAYAN FESTIVALFebruary 1- February 6 | Miag-ao, Iloilo
The festival is a week-long cultural presentation of Miag-ao shown through various activities like food fair, agro-industrial, and trade fair, photo exhibit literary and musical program, beauty pageant, street and ballroom dancing, sports events and many others.

PABIRIK FESTIVAL
February 1- February 2 | Paracale, Camarines Norte
Held in the town of Paracale, the festival is highlighted by “pabirik” street dancing, depicting the gold mining industry in the province.

BICOL ARTS FESTIVAL
February 1- February 28 | Legazpi City
A week-long festival showcasing the region’s arts and culture, crafts and agro-industrial products coming from the six (6) provinces and three (3) cities of Bicol. It coincides with the celebration of the National Arts Month every February.

FESTIVAL OF HEARTS
February 1- February 14 | Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
In celebration of Valentines, the city tourism council of Tanjay is coming up with a festival of romance showcasing a nightly Harana, Baile ng Bayan, Mass Wedding/Renewal of Vows and coronation of SK''s search for Miss Valentines.
LAVANDERO FESTIVALFebruary 1- February 6 | Mandaluyong
As part of the week-long Mandaluyong Day celebration, the
unique festival focused on the city’s ancient tradition of washing clothes in the once clean and clear waters of the Pasig River. Amusingly, focal point of the festival is the men participants washing clothes instead of women.

FESTIVALS OF HEART
February 1- February 28 | Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
In celebration of Valentines, the city tourism council of Tanjay is coming up with a festival of romance showcasing a nightly Harana, Baile ng Bayan, Mass Wedding/Renewal of vows and coronation of SK’s Search for Miss Valentines.

SUROY SA SURIGAOFebruary 1- February 28 | Surigao City
An activity initiated by the City Tourism Office that provides opportunities for participating groups to explore Surigao’s best thru island-hopping adventure, cave exploration and canoeing to the lush mangrove areas and other interesting sites.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES
February 2 | Jaro, Iloilo City
The biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas with the blessing of candles and a procession of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the Fiesta Queen and her court.

PAMULINAWEN
February 2- February 10 | Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
The word means "Ilocano Maiden"; a festival showing Ilocano Customs and Virtues.

THE 30TH INTERNATIONAL BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVALFebruary 3- February 11 | Las Piñas
A ten-day series of cultural events, with a focus on the unique bamboo-made organ made by Fray Diego de la Cera found only in Las Piñas.

GULING-GULING FESTIVAL (STREET DANCING)
February 5 | Paoay, Ilocos Norte
Exciting and calendrical rites in Paoay where townsfolk and
their guests participate in singing and dancing in the street, dressed in their native costume, the antique and attractive "Abel paoay Kimona" with matching tapis or pandiling, adorned with century old jewelries

KALI-KALIHAN HARVEST FESTIVAL
February 6 | Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
A harvest festival with a street dance showing their cultural heritage the art of "kali" otherwise known as "arnis" or "escrima", the traditional martial arts of the Filipino people since the 7th century.

FIESTA TSINOY
February 6 | Legaspi City
Chinese New Year Celebration featuring activities like Dragon / Lion Dance, Chinese Cultural Program and others.

TINAPAY FESTIVAL
February 7- February 13 | Cuenca, Batangas
An annual activity conceived by the town as thanksgiving to their patron saint, Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage for a bountiful life.

FISTAHAN
February 9- February 15 | Davao City
A culinary festival that features Davao''s grilled tuna specialties such as "panga and buntot".

BULANG-BULANG FESTIVAL
February 9 | San Enrique, Negros Occidental
A cultural identity moving high spirited, resilient, an interlude with the life of a cock or rooster, in unity with the nature, an icon of the sportive game of chance and arguably not as a gambling promotion, but basically Filipino Tinobaganon.

PABALHAS SA TABLAS
February 11 | Candoni, Negros Occidental
The concept of “Pabalhas sa Tablas” originated from the actual history of Candoni, where a group of settlers (composed of Isabeleños, Hinigaranon, Ilonggo, etc.) decided to look for a land in which they can call their own.

TINAGBA FESTIVAL (BOUNTIFUL HARVEST)
February 11 | Iriga City, Camarines Sur
A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops, ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.

TIBURIN HORSE RACE
February 12 | Libertad, Pasay City, Metro Manila
One of the highlights of the Sta. Clara Feast Day, about 100 horses have been trained to participate in this exciting and thrilling horse race.

PAMAYPAY NG CALOOCAN FESTIVAL
February 12 | Caloocan City
One of the highlights of the city''s Foundation Day, showcasing the use of the "Pamaypay"/fan as traditional tool to the surging heat as exhibited in techno-modern folk street dancing competition.

“SAMBALILO” HAT FESTIVAL
February 13 | Paranaque City, Metro Manila

FEAST DAY OF STA. CLARA
February 13 | Pasay City
Different activities are lined up in celebration of Sta. Clara’s Feast Day. Some of the highlights include the Serenata and The Tiburin Race. Serenata is a series of rondalla and brass band concerts and a revival of open-air musical performances held at the Sta. Clara patio, while the Tiburin Race is an exciting and thrilling horse-racing at Cementina and Libertad streets. About 100 horses have been trained solely for this event.

FESTIVAL OF HEARTS
February 14 | Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
In celebration of Valentines, the city tourism council of Tanjay is coming up with a festival of romance showcasing a nightly Harana, Baile ng Bayan, Mass Weddings/Renewal of Vows and coronation of Search for Miss Valentines

SERENATA
February 14 | Pasay City
A series of rondalla and brass band concerts. A revival of open-air concerts held at the patio of Sta. Clara Church.

2ND ANNUAL “HARANA: KARANTAHAN NIN PAGRANGA” (A MUSIC FESTIVAL)
February 14 | San Jose, Camarines Sur
The festival feature local talents and young artists in its effortsa to promote cultural awareness, tourism development and youth empowerment in the District of partido. Highlighted by the Bicol Love Song Choral Competition. Other activities are lined up to drumbeat the affair.

BLOOMING HEARTS DAY
February 14 | Baguio City
Mass Wedding with longest kissing scene to be held in Baguio City in celebration of Valentine''s Day

AURORA DAY AND SUMAN FESTIVAL
February 14- February 19 | Baler, Aurora
Celebration of the foundation of the province of Aurora which celebrated on the very day of birth of the Late Lady Aurora Quezon that coincide with the grandest festival, the Suman Festival.

KAP’YAAN FESTIVALFebruary 18- February 20 | Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur
Founding Anniversary of the creation of the municipality; agri-trade fair and civic military parade

PASAYAW FESTIVAL
February 19 | Canlaon City, Negros Oriental
A combined word of "Pasalamat Pinaagi sa Sayaw" (a thanksgiving through dance). This Pasayaw expresses the joys and jubilations in praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty God

BABAYLAN FESTIVAL (RITUALS)February 19 | Bago City, Negros Occidental
A festival newly conceptualized by the City of Bago and celebrated during the Charter Anniversary every 19th of February. Babaylan Festival is based on the rituals performed by the Babaylans, like rituals on marriage, baptism, healing, harvest and others. Babaylans get their healing powers from the unseen spirits.

ILOILO PARAW REGATTAFebruary 19- February 20 | Iloilo City
An exciting race among outriggers in the strait between Guimaras and Iloilo City

BALSAHAN FESTIVALFebruary 20 | Sibunag, Guimaras
Balsahan is Sibunag’s way of immortalizing the mystical Sibunag river which snakes its way through most of the town’s barangays. A major geographical feature of the town, the river holds many interesting myths and legends that are sure to tickle one’s imagination, and whet one’s appetite to unravel its secrets. Use the balsa in your trek for some satisfying discoveries – you will be pleasantly rewarded.

ASINAN FESTIVALFebruary 20 | San Lorenzo, Guimaras
Marvel at how the ordinary salt has gravitated the people of San Lorenzo into an annual gathering with all the delicious trimmings of specialty products. Not everything in the Asinan festival is salty though, as there are the spicy seafoods, the juicy citrus, the crispy nuts. With the proper blend of the unique hospitality and the natural smiles of the people and one will hunger for more of the Asinan spectacle.

KALILANGAN FESTIVALFebruary 21 27 | General Santos City
Celebrates the "friendly co-existence with all the people of General Santos City". Activities include agro-industrial trade fair, cultural presentation, culinary arts contest, Pagana, Kulintangan, ethnic musical instrument competition and Kidig-Kidig sa Dalan.

SIBUG-SIBUG FESTIVAL
February 23 | Zamboanga Sibugay
Highlighted by colorful ethnic street dancing with rituals depicting good harvest, wedding and healing rituals.

3RD MINDANAO DIVE CONGRESS/FIESTAFebruary 24- February 25 | Davao City Samal
A gathering of diving enthusiasts, promotion of dive areas, exhibits, fun dives, aqua sports competition, scubasura; discovery dive; scuba lessons; concert for a cause; dive safari


PANAGBENGA - BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVALFebruary 26- February 27 | Baguio City
Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, it will be the 10th holding of this annual event which will showcase the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers. The Floral Street Parade will be held on February 26 and the Floral Float Parade on February 27.

DIA DELA CIUDAD DE ZAMBOANGAFebruary 26 | Zamboanga City
A celebration to honor the historical event when Zamboanga was converted into chartered city. Activities include street dancing, cultural dance festival and a regatta.

HIL-O - HIL-O FESTIVALFebruary 26- February 28 | Maayon, Capiz
A cultural and fiesta celebration.

ITIK-ITIK FESTIVAL
February 27 | Pasig City, Metro Manila
The Itik-Itik Festival is held every last Sunday of February in
Brgy. Kalawaan. Men, women and children take part in the activities and merrymaking. The significant event is not only limited to colorful activities, sumptuous food, revelry and fun, but also draws people closer to God and to one another. It is a rich showcase of Filipino culture and tradition usually celebrated on the Feasts of the barangay’s beloved patroness, St. Martha.

MANIAMBUS FESTIVAL
February 27 | Negros Occidental
"Maniambus" is a Visayan term meaning to strike with a club because its coastal waters were them beaming with fish that catching could be done simply by clubbing.

SAMBAYAN FESTIVAL
February 28- March 31 | Tobias Fornier, Antique
A celebration of rites called samba/paned. This describe two kinds of rituals, one held on the hills (or mountains) and other held along the seacoast perform to ask for rain, to thank the ancestral spirit for good harvest.

If you want to check on the January’s schedule of festivities for your next year adventure you can find it here.