KADAYAWAN
FESTIVAL

Davao, Philippines

Celebrated every 3rd week of August
The festival’s name is derived from the Mandaya word “madayaw,” meaning treasured or valuable, as the locals use this time to give thanks for the season’s bountiful harvest. Back in the day, the ethnic tribes of Davao would come together to celebrate abundant crops, performing rituals that paid tribute to the nature gods.

They used to display fruits, vegetables, flowers, rice, and corn grains on their mats and at the front of their houses as a sign of respect for the great year they’ve had. They used to sing and dance as well, much like what they do today.

KALILANGAN
FESTIVAL

General Santos, Philippines

Celebrated in the month of February
Kalilangan means festival, or feastivity. It is a social gathering marked by exchanging of amenities among traditional leaders, elders, and subordinates. It is also a pageantry of unique and colorful ethnic rites, rituals and traditions like marriage celebrations, religious ceremonies, thanksgiving and other social, political and activities.

It is not just an economic activity, but a continuous season of merriment, gaiety and merrymaking accentuated by sharing of gifts, traditional sports competition, dancing, singing and instrument rendition and other forms of exhibition games, entertainment and amusement.

SIBUG-SIBUG
FESTIVAL

Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines

Celebrated every 26 th of February
The foundation of Sibugay is celebrated to promote the province's primary produce which is the oyster or talaba. The highlight of the feast is the “Talaba Longest Grill”. It is also famous because of the juiciest, meatiest, and most delicious taste of Sibugay oysters.

The place recently achieved a world record for the World’s Longest Talaba Grill, with 5- to 12-inch-long oysters or talaba as the main feature. For that reason, the province of Zamboanga Sibugay has become the Talaba Capital of the Philippines.

HIGALAAY
FESTIVAL

Cagayan de Oro, Philippines

Celebrated every 28 th of August
It is a week-long festivity filled with a series of colorful, culturally-rich and fun-filled core events celebrating the feast day of the city's patron saint, St. Augustine. The word "Higalaay" comes from the Cebuano word "higala", which was regarded from what the city of Cagayan de Oro is being tagged, the City of Golden Friendship.

The celebration has grown not only as the customary day of thanksgiving but also as a rallying point for a campaign to promote Cagayan de Oro City and the surrounding areas globally as an investment and tourism destination.

KAAMULAN
FESTIVAL

Bukidnon, Philippines

Celebrated from second half of February to March 10th
It is primarily an ethnic festival that remembers the provinces past and showcases the unique indigenous culture and its people; namely, the seven tribal groups that originally inhabited the Bukidnon region. The rituals of these groups such as that for the inauguration of a new chieftain, the Panlisig, and the Pamalas (atonement ritual) are displayed during the festival.

These traditional events are complemented by a civic parade, street dancing competition, garden show, as well as numerous sporting events.

LANZONES
FESTIVAL

Camiguin, Philippines

Celebrated every 3rd week of October
The festival features different beautiful agricultural cottages and industrial products. Each barangay usually participates in the event of the beautification of their respective areas. This event is also to celebrate the main production of the Island and their leading export product which is the Lanzones.

The celebration also includes different activities such as agricultural and industrial crafts from the Island such as amazing cottages and beautifications of barangay participating in the event.

INAUL
FESTIVAL

Maguindanao, Philippines

Celebrated from February 8th to February 14th
This festival is also sending a message that Maguindanao is relatively a safe and tourist-friendly place. I say it because I was there, I personally went there to experience the Inaul Festival. The festival is similar to the other festivals in the country, where there are products showcase, food feast, float competition, concerts and, of course the beauty pageant.

The “inaul” is an original Maguindanaon product, a hand woven cloth. The word inaul literally means “weaved” in English. This distinct Filipino product deserves further national attention, and this is the primary purpose of this festival.

TUNA
FESTIVAL

General Santos, Philippines

Celebrated every 1st week of September
General Santos City is also known as the Tuna Capital of the Philippines, thanks to the abundance of tuna fish. The beginning of the festival is marked by an extravagant float parade. The outdoor lover will certainly fall in love with the floats designed like tuna fish. The design of the floats is inspired by the ocean, and obviously, the tuna fish, which is pretty obvious from their colors and shapes.

Since this is a week-long celebration, you can expect various different culinary events every night. the Sashimi Night and Tuna Culinary Skills competition are the two best events worth attending.