Calendar of Philippine Festivals and Monthly Observances / Theme

Date: March 21 - 27

Venue:

Brief Description:

World Theatre Week is an occasion for theatre artists of varied disciplines in performance and media arts to celebrate the power of Theatre to bring people together and an opportunity to share with audiences the wealth of each country’s heritage, history, habitat, theatrical traditions and expertise modeling cultural caregiving for marginalized sectors and disadvantaged youth exemplified in the Philippine program of the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble honored as UNESCO Artists for Peace;

Date: First Week of March

Venue:

Brief Description:

This is a week-long celebration of Samal’s founding anniversary held every first week of March.

Date: March 8

Venue: Compostela Valley Province

Brief Description:

This is an eight-day multi-themed annual festival that culminates on the province’s foundation day, March 8. It is a colorful and joyful celebration of the province’s rich agricultural harvests, abundant mineral resources, governance’s feats, trade and tourism fair, and a showcasing of the people’s culture and traditions. The Al-law Ng Kalomonan (Tribal Day) falls on the 7th day of Anibina.

Date: March-April

Venue:

Brief Description:

This is a week-long event honoring Jesus Christ’s death on the Cross.  The Palm Sunday is held on the fifth Sunday of Lent where churchgoers bring palm and leaves to re-enact the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.  Holy Thursday is held with a Visitaa Iglesia where Catholics visit at least 7 churches. A “Pasyon” or narration of Christ’s life through singing is held; On Good Friday, believers re-enact the sufferings and death of Christ on the Cross. Easter Sunday is highlighted by “Salubong” or dawn processions held in various parts of the country.*

Date: Holy Week

Venue: Marinduque

Brief Description:

This is a week-long celebration participated in by male penitents in costumes who parade around town. On Good Friday, they reenact the story of Longinus, a centurion, blind in one eye, who speared Jesus’ side. Christ’s blood fell on his blind eye, miraculously restoring it, leading to his conversion.

Date: Holy Week

Venue: General Luna, Quezon

Brief Description:

This is believed to be the origin of Marinduque’s Moriones Festival and is as colorful.

Date: Good Friday

Venue: Jordan, Guimaras

Brief Description:

This is a procession of flagellants and devotees in biblical attire that ends in the Balaan Bukid Shrine.

Date: Good Friday

Venue: Nueva Valencia

Brief Description:

This is a ritual where believers crawl through the Catilaran cave chanting prayers in the hope of gaining supernatural powers to ward off evil spirits.

Date: Holy Week

Venue: Siquijor

Brief Description:

Siquijor is popularly known throughout the country for “witchcraft”. A “Witches Festival” is held at Crocodile Hill overlooking the Bay of Lazi and the Mindanao Sea. When the moon is full, the sorcerers, called magbabarang gather herbs, roots and live insects, throw these into a giant cauldron filled with boiling water, then sit in a circle around it while mumbling incantations. This is followed by dancing and ends in an exclusive ritual in a secluded cave at dawn.

Date: March 10-12

Venue: Puerto Galera

Brief Description:

Malasimbo Festival has four pillars: music, arts, indigenous people, and environment. The festival is well known for bringing some of the most versatile musicians. In the event, the Malasimbo grounds is decorated with world-class artwork by various talented Filipino and visual artists, also showcasing indigenous peoples’ work.

Date: March 22

Venue: Lala, Lanao del Norte

Brief Description:

An annual celebration that highlights the abundance of Crabs in the Municipality of Lala. Activities include a crab/ocean themed grand street dancing parade, crab races, biggest crab contest and an agri-trade fair

Date: March 23 to April 13 - CANCELLED DUE TO COVID-19

Venue: Malaybalay, Bukidnon

Brief Description:

Date: March 24

Venue: Ligao City

Brief Description:

A festivity which commemorates the Cityhood anniversary of Ligao. It is highlighted streetdancing showcasing the colorful sunflowers where it abundantly grows along the Kawa-Kawa Natural Park.