Planning a trip? Those who love to travel know the essence of all travel is about you and your enjoyment. Travelers know that the destination is a major part in planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into an unfamiliar places, people and culture is paramount.

Expand your horizons and set your sight to the Philippines, an off the beaten path travel site! An undiscovered paradise made of thousands of islands and white sand beaches all around! A tiny dot in the map of the world, and yet a haven for travelers, backpackers, retirees and even passersby.

It offers awesome tourist attractions, magnificent beaches, hot spring resorts, colorful festivals, hundreds of scenic spots and world-class hotels and facilities. Not to mention the tropical climate, the affordable prices as well as the friendly and hospitable, English-speaking people! You will be glad you came, and we’re sure, you WILL come back for more FUN in the Philippines!

 

 

 

COLORFUL FESTIVALS

 

The tourist can revel in Sorsogon’s pageantry and celebration during its numerous festivals and fiestas, and experience its rich cultural heritage.   Sorsogon province in the island of Luzon, Philippines, is also home to some very colorful festivals, such as:

 

Kasanggayahan Festival

 

Photo from:  digitalphotographer.com.ph

 

 The Kasanggayahan festival, celebrated in the whole province in the last week of October, commemorates the founding of Sorsogon as a province. Festivities include a series of cultural, historical, religious, agro-industrial and economic activities, showcasing the province’s abundant agricultural products, particularly food and decorative items.

 

Pili Festival

 

Pili Festival in Sorsogon City honors the Pili nut and tree which is indigenous to province. The festival coincides with the town fiesta of Sorsogon City. Celebrations include street dancing by locals donning pili nut costumes, cooking competitions, fireworks displays, and even a nutcracking session along the road by the locals.

Appropriately costumed young people dance down the streets of the City during the festival, demonstrating in dance, the many uses of this remarkable tree. During the Pili street dance, which highlights the weeklong Festival, the costumed dancers move to the rhythmic, hypnotic beat of native percussion instruments.

 

Padaraw Festival

 

Photo from:  flickr.com/photos/biboih/4687721798/

 

 Padaraw Festival is held to honor Bulan’s patron saint,  Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.  The festivities are an expression of this coastal community’s gladness and thanksgiving for God’s bounties and gifts.  Padaraw also expresses not only the bounties of the sea but of the plains and mountains as well, for which the people of Bulan give thanks to God.

The festival includes a grand presentation of ethnic  music and creative street dancing.  It also showcases colorful costumes fashioned from the abaca fiber.

Padaraw is derived from a purely Bicol term which is commonly used by local fishermen.  The root word “daraw” refers to the groups or schools of fish which converge at a certain single point in the sea.  This daraw becomes a convergence point for the fishermen to make their catch for the day.  Padaraw therefore, means unity.

 

Butanding Festival 

 

Photo from:  blacksheepslair.com

 

A festival which ushers in the Butanding (Whaleshark) Season as well as a thanksgiving for the blessings that the butanding’s presence has given the people of Donsol. The festival is highlighted by a street parade.

Be at Donsol this summer and take a deep breath as you dive into the biggest festival ever for the biggest fish in the sea.

The Butanding Festival is held in honor of the whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) and their annual return to the vicinity of Donsol. Contributing greatly to the development of the town’s economy and tourism, the whaleshark’s peak attendance is  annually anticipated and greatly welcomed by the locals who are directly involved in looking out for the butanding’s well-being. – butandingfestival.com 

 

 Source:  sorsogon.islandsphilippines.com

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Sorsogon, Host of Asia’s Premier Extreme Sailing Event, the Philippine Hobie Challenge

Wonderful Places in Sorsogon

Whale Shark Watching in Donsol, Sorsogon

Colorful Festivals in Sorsogon

Have Lots of Fun in Sorsogon