Colorful Festivals in Manila

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 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!

FESTIVALS IN MANILA

Manila, Philippines offers visitors a rich array of events and festivals throughout the year that highlight its unique cultural identity and history. It is known for its jovial spirit and festive occasions. Festivals in Manila, like most Filipino culture, usually relate to Catholicism. But the secular credentials of the festivals are never missing.

Manila festivals and events represent social, religious and communal facets of people of the city. Some festivals are held to usher in the New Year or the new season marking the beginning or end of their harvesting time while, some are occasions to attract tourists from across the world to showcase the traditional and cultural richness of the land. You will be amazed by the galore of legends, customs and faith associated with Manila Festivals and Events.

Festivals and Events in Manila are full of fun, amusement and frolic. Manila Festivals and Events offer an opportunity to tourists to absorb themselves in various social activities and participate in amusement and entertainment.

With religion playing a major role in the lives of most of Manila’s residents, it’s hardly surprising that many of the events and biggest festivals within the city’s calendar are religiously themed or oriented. Traditional Catholic festivals, such as Christmas and Easter, are celebrated enthusiastically. These tend to be the most unique and exciting affairs to attend.

Bailes De Arcos

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Bailes De Arcos, or “Dance of Arcs”, is performed during the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Performers are daughters of previous dancers. Most of the performers train for almost the entire year until the day of the feast arrives.

Cinemanila International Film Festival Manila

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The Cinemanila International Film Festival is an annual film festival held in Manila, Philippines. It was founded by Filipino filmmaker Amable “Tikoy” Aguiluz in 1999. The focus of the festival is on the cinema of the Philippines as well as Southeast Asian cinema. In the festival’s competitive section, the top award is the Lino Brocka Award, given in honor of the acclaimed Filipino director, Lino Brocka. Another award, the Ishmael Bernal Award for Young Cinema, was first given at the 2000 festival, in honor of Filipino director Ishmael Bernal, to young independent Filipino filmmakers.

Feast of the Black Nazarene

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The Feast of the Black Nazarene is one of the major religious festivals in January. It centers on a life-sized wooden statue of Jesus with dark skin. This unique portrayal of Christ was brought to Manila from Mexico centuries ago and is now enshrined in the Quiapo church. On the day of the feast, devotees go to the basilica in this district and parade the image around town. It is marked by a tumultuous procession attended by a full-packed crowds filling the entire surroundings of the Quiapo Church and portions of Quezon Boulevard where the church is located. The big Black Nazarene statue carrying a cross is paraded on a float. Taken out of the church, it leads a tedious procession around the church vicinity. Thousands of devotees from various parts of the country attend this event.

Grand Marian Procession

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Few displays of faith are as transfixing as Manila’s annual Grand Marian Procession. On the first Sunday of every December, candle-bearing acolytes and Blessed Virgin devotees dressed in pure white parade through the cobbled streets of Intramuros, the 16th century walled Spanish fortress, along with brass marching bands trumpeting Christmas hymns.