Welcome to a world where joy abounds, and vibrant celebrations a way of life. Rediscover FIESTA in the Philippines—the ultimate land of smiles and a hundred fiestas brimming across thousands of islands. Experince Panagbenga in Baguio, Ati-atihan in Aklan, MassKara in Bacolod, Higantes in Angono, Moriones in Marinduque. Imagine yourself dancing to rhythmic drums, immersed in a sea of colors, and a kaleidoscope of sights, costumes, sounds and spectacular fiesta flavors. Come and celebrate the fiestas of the Philippines and the warmth, love and laughter of the Filipino people. 

The Panagbenga is a beautiful, month-long flower festival held in February in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. Flower-adorned floats and parades presented by dancers wearing flower-inspired costumes captivate locals and tourists who flock to the city not only for the merrymaking, but also to enjoy the chilly weather and charming pine trees. Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, the Panagbenga, which means the ‘season of blooming’, pays tribute to the city’s rise from the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake and honors Baguio’s heritage and timeless traditions. 

Touted to be the oldest and the mother of all Philippine festivals, the Ati-Atihan is a celebration held every 3rd Sunday in January in Kalibo, Aklan in honor of the Infant Jesus, the Santo Niño. Ati-Atihan means to be like the Ati people, an ethnic and indigenous people in the Visayan islands. Locals would participate in processions and street parades, with dark-colored paint on their faces and bodies, wearing the most vibrant tribal costumes while dancing to pulsating drumbeats and rhythmic whistles punctuated by shouts of “Hala Bira!” 

The MassKara Festival is a captivating, vibrant, giant masquerade in Bacolod, the country’s City of Smiles. MassKara means many faces, and it was first held in 1980 to boost the morale of the people with the masks symbolizing resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Today, thousands of local and foreign tourists troop to Bacolod every October to enjoy a most colorful celebration of life and culture with masked street dancers, parades, pageants, concerts, food feasts, and spectacular displays of lights and fireworks. 

The Higantes Festival of Angono, Rizal is famously known for its larger-than-life parade of hundreds of gigantic papier-mache puppets. Higantes or Gigantes is the Spanish word for “giants” and this festival represents the local people’s mockery of the abusive hacienda owners during the Spanish colonial rule. Now, it is celebrated as a feast to express its gratitude to St. Clement, every 23rd of November. The Higantes also serves as a symbol of the people’s aspiration to be great and their desire to contribute to the pride of their town.

The Moriones is a religious festival held every year during Holy Week on the island of Marinduque. On Good Friday, they retell the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion, blind in one eye, who speared Jesus’ side. Christ’s blood spurted on his blind eye and miraculously restores its sight which leads to his conversion. The festival is characterized by colorful Roman costumes, painted masks and helmets, and brightly colored tunics, and soldiers marching around town. Highlight on Easter Sunday is the Via Crucis which reenacts Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.