Colorful Festivals to Enjoy in Siquijor Part 2

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 of planning a trip, experiencing and delving deeper into unfamiliar places, people and culture are 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 IN SIQUIJOR

In the Philippines, like in Spain, we celebrate Fiesta. Fiesta is when a town or a certain area honours and celebrates its patron saint’s day. Here’s some information on the Siquijor Fiesta.

The day begins with a mass held for all in the town church, followed by a variety of traditions. It is characterized by a flourish of colours and cheerful music demonstrated through street parades, dances and other street performances. Some may say it is a massive party where everyone is invited to join and celebrate.

During this time, you will see many people open their homes and offer buffets of food that have been in the making for days. It is the perfect time for Filipino families to hold their family reunions, where family members from all over the country (and sometimes even from overseas) will come to gather.

There will be many street vendors passing through the town just for fiesta, and town dances (or discos) where even the eldest will be seen dancing and living it up.

Visperas is the day before Fiesta, on this day many will be preparing for their fiesta day, with some even having open house already. The days will be warm, and everyone may be scarce during the mornings after having stayed up late enjoying the festivities. You will hear children’s laughter everywhere, and see the smiles of all. It is truly a spectacular experience, one where you will feel a part of the people and delight in the culture that is found in a Fiesta.

Fiesta is actually only one day, but the celebrations preceding it make it a complete festival calendar, with activities such as basketball tournaments and ‘who has the most beautiful garden’ competitions being held weeks in advance. It is a very organized calendar of events by the community, and is a great time to look forward to.

If ever you get the chance to be here during a fiesta on Siquijor, you can experience Fiesta too. Whether it be by watching the street parades, performances, and beauty pageants or having a go at dancing at the town square or basketball court (which has been transformed overnight into an awesome dancing arena). The following is a list of some of the main festivals here in Siquijor, including our very own Barangay’s patron saints day. Read More: https://www.cocogrovebeachresort.com/special-events/siquijor-fiestas/

Pamukad Festival

Photo from: https://kvgthebestofregion7.weebly.com/region7-festivals.html

Pamukad reflected the fun-loving nature of the townfolks, who grab almost every occasion available to celebrate with feasts and gifts. It is a way of celebrating life and thanksgiving of the joys and blessings that come with fishing, it being the people’s primary source of income and livelihood.

Though Talingting is a town still striving to overcome concerns on slow economic growth, it is blessed with a rich culture and tradition coupled with breathtaking landscape set amidst a stunning backdrop of clear blue skies and an emerald sea.

Indeed the Pamukad Festival brought and represented the pride of the contingents’ hometown that they were eager to showcase the richness of their culture, which remained unperturbed in the growing impact of global pop culture. Read More: http://ohmypilipinas.blogspot.com/2008/07/pamukad-festival-draws-crowd-in.html

Canoan Festival

Photo from: https://jumawanzyxell.weebly.com/festivals-and-beliefs.html

Held every May 3rd, the festivities usually begin in late April which include food street festival, street dancing, volleyball and tennis tournaments, battle of the bands, etc. Read More: http://www.mysiquijor.com/SiquijorFestivalDates2010.html

Saging Festival

Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/m_kajo/sets/72157644652951931/

The Saging Festival is one of the many festivals in the island of Siquijor in the Philippines. It recognizes the importance of “saging” or banana in the lives of the people with its many uses.

The story of how this plant came to exist is being depicted in dances during the fiesta of Lazi Town every May 15. It usually starts on May 8 with a variety of sports competitions and activities which include Miss Teen Lazi Pageant, a variety show, dance competitions and a lot more. The Saging Festival is also done to showcase the variety of bananas and a way of praising for the abundance of the harvest. Read More: http://www.phtourguide.com/saging-festival-in-siquijor/