Colorful Festivals to Enjoy in Siquijor

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. Read More: https://www.cocogrovebeachresort.com/special-events/siquijor-fiestas/

Solili Festival

Photo from: https://allaboutfiesta.wordpress.com/2016/09/14/araw-ng-siquijor-solili-street-dancing-of-siquijor-siquijor-september-15/

The Solili Festival’s main event featured the celebration of the Day of Siquijor. One of these traditions valued by the citizens of Lazi to the present is the Solili law, which will gather the relatives of the groom to meet his future wife. This festival commemorates the point of courtship by Tukmo and Punay, and as a tributary for the newlyweds is performed in conjunction with the Solili shouting “Solili law”. Solili Festival in Lazi, Siquijor is celebrated every 17th of September. Read More: https://www.greedypeg.org/siquijor/Solili-Festival.html

Dilaab Festival

Photo from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/m_kajo/10133354353

Dilaab’ suggests the distinct hospitality that the Siquijodnons are popularly known for, and the name the island was once-known for “Isla de Fuego” because of the swarm of fireflies nestled in the island at night. The festival also gives due recognition to the natural assets of Siquijor and in honor of the town’s patron saint, St. Francis of Asisi who is known as a lover of nature. Read More: http://siquijor.islandsphilippines.com/siquijor_festivals.php

Bugwas Festival

Photo from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQx9pBkk2AU

The festival is San Juan’s way of celebrating a bountiful and abundant harvest in honor of their patron saint, St. Augustine. Bugwas means a spurt of water coming from an underground source, which flows freely in the open ground. Since San Juan is blessed with abundant spring waters, these waters give the farmers bountiful harvest, the fisher folk with an abundant catch and making and making the life of the people of San Juan happier and fruitful because of a good and bountiful harvest each year. Bugwas Festival San Juan, Siquijor. Read More: http://siquijor.islandsphilippines.com/siquijor_festivals.php

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/

Lubi Festival

Photo from: http://www.choosephilippines.com/go/festivals/4218/visayas-may-festivals

Healing Festival

Photo from: http://www.choosephilippines.com/do/festivals/4148/holy-week-activity-siquior-healing-festival

Many healers from Visayas and Mindanao gather every Good Friday to showcase the different indigenous, traditional healing alternatives. I was bewildered to have met different folkhealers and fortune tellers. I got my fortune foretold then.

The sight of different herbal preparations and potions (gayuma/lumay) truly bemused me.

Just like other travelers and tourists, we were there not just for the festival, but to explore the relaxing and quiet island. Read More: http://trekero.blogspot.com/2012/09/siquijor-more-than-just-mystical.html

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