MARCH

Island Garden City of Samal Festival
first week

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

Anibina Bulawanun Festival
culminates on March 8-Compostela Valley Province

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.

Holy Week
March-April

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 Visita 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.*

Moriones Festival
Holy Week-Marinduque

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.

Centurion Festival
Holy Week-General Luna, Quezon

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

Ang Pagtaltal
Good Friday-Jordan, Guimaras

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

Pangalap Ritual
Good Friday-Nueva Valencia

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.

Witches Festival
Holy Week-Siquijor

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.