PHILIPPINE FESTIVALS, FIESTAS AND LOCAL CELEBRATIONS IN FEBRUARY 2014

Here is a list of Filipino festivals, fiestas and local celebrations in the month of February 2014.

SALAKAYAN FESTIVAL
Miag-ao, Iloilo
February 1- February 6 | The festival is a week-long cultural presentation of Miag-ao shown through various activities like food fair, agro-industrial, and trade fair, photo exhibit literary and musical program, beauty pageant, street and ballroom dancing, sports events and many others.

LAVANDERO FESTIVAL
Mandaluyong
February 1- February 6 | As part of the week-long Mandaluyong Day celebration, the unique festival focused on the city’s ancient tradition of washing clothes in the once clean and clear waters of the Pasig River. Amusingly, focal point of the festival is the men participants washing clothes instead of women.

BICOL ARTS FESTIVAL
Legazpi City
February 1- February 28 | A month-long festival showcasing the region’s arts and culture, crafts and agro-industrial products coming from the six (6) provinces and three (3) cities of Bicol. It coincides with the celebration of the National Arts Month.   Various activities are lined up which include Festival parade, Essay Writing and Poster Making Contest, Laro ng Lahi, Fashion Show, etc.

PANAGBENGA - BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL
Baguio City
February 1 - March 6 | Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, it will be the 10th holding of this annual event which will showcase the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers. The Floral Street Parade will be held on February 26 and the Floral Float Parade on February 27.

NATIONAL ARTS MONTH
Province of Laguna
February 1-28 | The Laguna celebration of the National Arts Month is being held in four districts of the province.  It showcases the artistic character of the Lagueños through the depiction of their way of life and source of livelihood manifested by ethnic street dancing.  The event aims to instill the sense of identity and self-distinctiveness of its people.

SUROY SA SURIGAO
Jaro, Iloilo City
February 2 | The biggest and most opulent religious pageantry in Western Visayas with the blessing of candles and a procession of the Nuestra Señora de Candelaria and the Fiesta Queen and her court.

DAGKOT FESTIVAL
Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte
February 2 | It is the sole important event during the fiesta celebration of the municipality of Cabadbaran. The weeklong festivity features socio-civic activities, sports events, trade fairs and capped by a grand street dancing parade and competition to celebrate the historic past and the bright future that awaits Cabadbaran.

FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES / CANDELARIA FIESTA
Jaro, Iloilo
February 2 | The religious celebration of Candelaria or Our Lady of the Candles includes its adornment in the most elaborate gown with the infant Jesus on her right arm and carrying a green candle on both hands. Other events include the traditional blessing of the candles, high mass, and the grand procession. Not to miss out is the Jaro Carnival and Agro-industrial Fair that features rides, games, exhibits, Garden Shows and lots of food, and of course, the Grand Cock Derby where professional cock-fighters, breeders, and aficionados from all over the country gather to try their luck at winning.

PAMULINAWEN
Laoag City, Ilocos Norte
February 2-10 | The word means "Ilocano Maiden"; a festival showing Ilocano Customs and Virtues. Activities include street pageantry, Calesa Festival, Komedya Ilocano, Balikbayan Nights, Search for Miss Laoag.

CHINESE NEW YEAR
Manila City
February 3 | The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese New Year with pomp & color through a dragon dance. This parade is performed at the prominent malls and department stores, and the giving of moon cakes.

INTERNATIONAL BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVAL
Las Piñas
February 3- February 11 | A ten-day series of cultural events, with a focus on the unique bamboo-made organ made by Fray Diego de la Cera found only in Las Piñas.

KALI-KALIHAN HARVEST FESTIVAL
Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental
February 6 | A harvest festival with a street dance showing their cultural heritage the art of "kali" otherwise known as "arnis" or "escrima", the traditional martial arts of the Filipino people since the 7th century.

FIESTA TSINOY
Legaspi City
February 6 | Chinese New Year Celebration featuring activities like Dragon / Lion Dance, Chinese Cultural Program and others.

UTANON FESTIVAL
Dalaguete, Cebu
February 6 | A thanksgiving celebration in honor of San Guillermo. The Utanon Festical as the highlight is a festivity of good harvest through dance and music as Dalaguete town is considered as the vegetable basket and music capital of Cebu Province.

BEBINGKA FESTIVAL/FOUNDATION DAY
Manticao , Misamis Oriental
February 7 | Parade of Bebingka ( rice  cake ) in the main streets of the municipality, highlighted with bebingka eating contest.

BULANG-BULANG FESTIVAL
San Enrique, Negros Occidental
February 9 | A cultural identity moving high spirited, resilient, an interlude with the life of a cock or rooster, in unity with the nature, an icon of the sportive game of chance and arguably not as a gambling promotion, but basically Filipino Tinobaganon.

PHILIPPINE INTL. HOT-AIR BALLOON FIESTA
Omni Aviation Complex, Clark Field, Pampanga
February 9-12 | Some 25 international balloon pilots are participating in the 17th Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Festival on February 9 – 12, 2011 at Clark Freeport Zone (Air Force Hangar) and they’re going to wow some 100,000 local and foreign spectators from various parts of the region.

FISTAHAN
Davao City
February 9- February 15 | A culinary festival that features Davao''s grilled tuna specialties such as "panga and buntot".

HAMAKA FESTIVAL
Taytay, Rizal
February 9 - 15 | A weeklong celebration of thanksgiving. The festivities showcase the talents of Taytayenos in terms of woodworks (HAmba), sewing machine (MAkina), garments/couturier’s design (KAsuotan).  Activities during the festival includes trade exhibit, street dancing, fashion in the street, sportsfest and Ms. HAMAKA.  The festival aims to promote tourism in Taytay and revitalize the woodworks and garments of the municipality.

PATUNOB FESTIVAL/TOWN FIESTA
Binuangan, Misamis Oriental
February 10-11 | A religious activity/ devotees flocked to the shrine of Birhen sa Lourdes to light candles to renew their vows and petitions

BOD-BOD KABOG FESTIVAL
Catmon, Cebu
February 10 | The town of Catmon is famous for its tasty ‘bodbod’ and thus the focus of this festival. The street dancing competition participated by the different barangays has for its dance movements, the movement of making the bodbod with the costumes in bodbod concept.

TINAGBA FESTIVAL
Iriga City
February 11 | A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding with the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes.  Derived from the early rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year.  This year, the celebration will be highlighted by the festivals’ showdown which features the best cultural events from the different provinces of Bicol.  

SPRING FESTIVAL (CHINESE LUNAR NEW YEAR)
Iriga City, Camarines Sur
February 11 | A tradition of the first harvest offering coinciding on the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes. Derived from the early rituals of the ancient Bicolanos offering their harvest to their own gods as a form of thanksgiving and to seek favor for a more bountiful harvest throughout the year. A long parade of colorfully and grandiosely decorated bull and carabao carts, carrying newly harvested crops, ending with a mass before the Emerald Grotto at Calvary Hills. Here all the offerings are blessed, then distributed to indigent families.

PABALHAS SA TABLAS
Candoni, Negros Occidental
February 11 | The concept of “Pabalhas sa Tablas” originated from the actual history of Candoni, where a group of settlers (composed of Isabeleños, Hinigaranon, Ilonggo, etc.) decided to look for a land in which they can call their own.

AQUERO FESTIVAL
Aglipay, Quirino
February 11-13 |Popular feast-day celebrations in France honoring Our Lady of Lourdes migrate to the little-known town of Aglipay in Quirino province, this year Aquero Festival kicks off its fifth year.

ULLALIM FESTIVAL (Kalinga Foundation Day)
Tabuk City, Kalinga
February 11-14 | Kalinga province way of celebrating their anniversary as a separate province featuring Kalinga`s songs, music, chants and arts, cultural shows, agri-tourism exhibits and trade fairs & crafts.

TIBURIN HORSE RACE
Libertad, Pasay City, Metro Manila
February 12 | One of the highlights of the Sta. Clara Feast Day, about 100 horses have been trained to participate in this exciting and thrilling horse race.

PAMAYPAY NG CALOOCAN FESTIVAL
Caloocan City
February 12 | One of the highlights of the city''s Foundation Day, showcasing the use of teh "Pamaypay"/fan as traditional tool to the surging heat as exhibited in techno-modern folk street dancing competition.

PAGODA SA DAAN & PANDANGGUHAN FESTIVAL
Pateros
February 12 | Celebration of the Pateros town fiesta. Highlight of the festivities is the traditional procession of the image of St. Martha around the town wherein participants are dancing the Pandangguhan.

COLOS FESTIVAL
Barangay Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet
Feb. 12-14 | Known as the “Seat of Cultural Heritage and Natural Wonders”, Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon, Benguet has been a prime tourist destination to foreign and local visitors wanting to observe how some of our mountain tribes preserve and practice their unique culture and traditions.

COLOS FESTIVAL AND FOUNDATION DAY CELEBRATION
Tinongdan, Itogon, Benguet
February 12-14 | A cultural festival featuring the School of Living Traditions, cultural shows, indigenous sport and, trade fairs. Winner of Best Ecotourism Practices by the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP).

“SAMBALILO” HAT FESTIVAL
Paranaque City, Metro Manila
February 13

FEAST DAY OF STA. CLARA
Pasay City
February 13 | Different activities are lined up in celebration of Sta. Clara’s Feast Day. Some of the highlights include the Serenata and The Tiburin Race. Serenata is a series of rondalla and brass band concerts and a revival of open-air musical performances held at the Sta. Clara patio, while the Tiburin Race is an exciting and thrilling horse-racing at Cementina and Libertad streets. About 100 horses have been trained solely for this event.

FESTIVAL OF HEARTS
Tanjay City, Negros Oriental
February 14 | In celebration of Valentines, the city tourism council of Tanjay is coming up with a festival of romance showcasing a nightly Harana, Baile ng Bayan, Mass Weddings/Renewal of Vows and coronation of Search for Miss Valentines

SERENATA
Pasay City
February 14 | A series of rondalla and brass band concerts. A revival of open-air concerts held at the patio of Sta. Clara Church.

ANNUAL “HARANA: KARANTAHAN NIN PAGRANGA” (A MUSIC FESTIVAL)
San Jose, Camarines Sur
February 14 | The festival feature local talents and young artists in its effortsa to promote cultural awareness, tourism development and youth empowerment in the District of partido. Highlighted by the Bicol Love Song Choral Competition. Other activities are lined up to drumbeat the affair.

BLOOMING HEARTS DAY
Baguio City
February 14 | Mass Wedding with longest kissing scene to be held in Baguio City in celebration of Valentine''s Day

TIMPUYOG FESTIVAL
Kiamba, Sarangani Province
February 14 | An Ilocano Word which jeans “gathering and working together towards one accord for the common good, timpuyog festival is a weeklong celebration that showcases the different cultural presentations.

MENAJAK FESTIVAL
Calamba, Misamis Occidental
February 14 | Menajak is a Subanen word which means Love. A street dancing and ritual dance competition depicting the rich Subanen culture - one of the major tribal groups in the region, dwellers of Calamba, Misamis Occidental.

LAGUIMANOK FESTIVAL
Padre Burgos, Quezon
February 14-17 | A celebration of the foundation  of the town. A parade of floats, street dancing, beauty pageant, kayak race and the longest chicken roasting competition culminates the festival.

AURORA DAY AND SUMAN FESTIVAL
Baler, Aurora
February 14- February 19 | Celebration of the foundation of the province of Aurora which celebrated on the very day of birth of the Late Lady Aurora Quezon that coincide with the grandest festival, the Suman Festival.

KAAMULAN FESTIVAL
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
February 16 - March 10 | Gathering of the 7 tribal groups of Bukidnon to perform traditional dances and chants, thanksgiving ceremony and time honored rituals, and to foster unity among themselves.

SORTEO GRAND FESTIVAL
Carmona ,Cavite
February 16-22 (every three years) | An age-old tradition celebrating the town as an agricultural haven celebrated every 3 years. It is highlighted by an agro-industrial fair.

TAWO-TAWO FESTIVAL
Bayawan City, Negros Oriental
February 17
Street dancing and showdown competitions the day before the fiesta. They celebrate the scarecrows (tawo-tawo) through paper mache higantes as guardians of the town’s crops.

BICOL REGIONAL TOURISM COUNCILS ASSEMBLY
Naga City
February 18- February 19 | A gathering of all tourism stakeholders to agree on a cooperative program and synchronized efforts that would trigger the response towards a unified and sustainable regional tourism development.

MALASIMBO MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Puerto Gallera, Oriental Mindoro
February 18-19 | The Mangyan Cultural Festival Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is the first of an annual celebration of music, arts and nature.  Coinciding with the full moon, the festival will be held outdoors at the foot of Mount Malasimbo, overlooking the Puerto Galera Bay, selected as one of “The Most Beautiful Bays in the World”. The festival aims to blend traditional arts and performing styles with contemporary expressions in the arts and showcase the culture of the Mangyan tribal communities while working towards the protection and sustainability of the environment in the environs of Puerto Galera.

KAP’YAAN FESTIVAL
Jose Abad Santos, Davao del Sur
February 19 | Founding Anniversary of the creation of the municipality; agri-trade fair and civic military parade.

BABAYLAN FESTIVAL (RITUALS)
Bago City, Negros Occidental
February 19 | A festival newly conceptualized by the City of Bago and celebrated during the Charter Anniversary every 19th of February. Babaylan Festival is based on the rituals performed by the Babaylans, like rituals on marriage, baptism, healing, harvest and others. Babaylans get their healing powers from the unseen spirits.

SINACABAN FESTIVAL
Sinacaban, Misamis Occidental
February 19 | Decicated in honor of the patron saints of the town and of its different barangays, as a gesture of thanksgiving for the bountiful blessings they have received from the Almighty

ILOILO PARAW REGATTA
Iloilo City
February 19- February 20 | Paraw Regatta is a well-attended and well-anticipated race of native double outriggers. Colourful paraws line-up the waters of the strait between the island province of Guimaras and Iloilo City. The paraw is a dugout, having an average length of 16 feet or 5.5 meters to 25 feet or 8 meters. They are fitted with outriggers that are mainly used as balancers against the tilting effect to the craft. The highlight of the event is the paraw race, a memorable and exciting spectacle, participated by men as they put their skills, stamina and strategy against one another for honours while spectators cheer the action from the shore.

BALSAHAN FESTIVAL
Sibunag, Guimaras
February 20 | Balsahan is Sibunag’s way of immortalizing the mystical Sibunag river which snakes its way through most of the town’s barangays. A major geographical feature of the town, the river holds many interesting myths and legends that are sure to tickle one’s imagination, and whet one’s appetite to unravel its secrets. Use the balsa in your trek for some satisfying discoveries – you will be pleasantly rewarded.

ASINAN FESTIVAL
San Lorenzo, Guimaras
February 20 | Marvel at how the ordinary salt has gravitated the people of San Lorenzo into an annual gathering with all the delicious trimmings of specialty products. Not everything in the Asinan festival is salty though, as there are the spicy seafoods, the juicy citrus, the crispy nuts. With the proper blend of the unique hospitality and the natural smiles of the people and one will hunger for more of the Asinan spectacle.

Dapil Festival (Bangued Town Fiesta)
Bangued, Abra
February 20-25 | Bangued municipality’s way of celebrating their town’s Fiesta.

SAMPAGUITA FESTIVAL
San Pedro, Laguna
February 21-22 | Grand parade of colorful floats participated by both government and private sector. The highlight of the festival is the Coronation Night of the “Hiyas ng San Pedro”. The festival aims to promote tourism in San Pedro and revitalize the  sampaguita  industry in San Pedro, Laguna.

BUYBUY FEST/BURGOS TOWN FIESTA
Burgos, La Union
February 21-23 | A celebration of the town’s major produce “buybuy” or tiger grass. This raw material is made into softbrooms and other decorative items. Featured is a civic parade, trade fair & handicraft exhibition. Cultural performances can also be seen during this time.

MUSIKAHAN FESTIVAL
Tagum, Davao del Norte
February 21-27 | A celebration of Filipino excellence in music composition, performance, and production. The festival provides the youth with opportunities to excel in the music industry.

WOW ARAW NG CARAGA
Region wide (CARAGA Region)
February 22-26 | A celebration of the creation of Caraga as an administrative Region. Among the activities are the Kalagan Festival Street dancing competition, Garden Show, Trade Fair, Tourism and Regional Line Agencies exhibit, Food and Services Skills contest and exhibitions, CRTCFI General Assembly and the Songwriting and Singing Contest.

SIBUG-SIBUG FESTIVAL
Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay
February 22-26 | The festival commemorates the founding of the  province.  It is a ritual where dancers and performers dressed in native Subanen costumes dance to the tempo of sounds produced from the kulintangs, gongs and tambols while offering fruits, vegetables, rice and other produced of the land to the gods placed in a container together with incense.

KALILANGAN FESTIVAL
General Santos City
February 22-27 | Celebrates the "friendly co-existence with all the people of General Santos City". Activities include agro-industrial trade fair, cultural presentation, culinary arts contest, Pagana, Kulintangan, ethnic musical instrument competition and Kidig-Kidig sa Dalan.

SIBUG-SIBUG FESTIVAL
Zamboanga Sibugay
February 23 | Highlighted by colorful ethnic street dancing with rituals depicting good harvest, wedding and healing rituals.

PANAGTITIMPUYOG
Nagtipunan, Quirino
February 23-25 | Founding anniversary  celebration through the affirmation of their commitment for unity and solidarity in the town of Nagtipunan highlighted by parades, beauty pageant and sports competitions.

CEBU CITY CHARTER DAY
Cebu City
February 24 | In celebration of Cebu City''s Charter Day, related activities like civic parade, cultural presentations attended by Cebu Officials and guests at the Cebu city hall.

ARAW NG ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY
Zamboanga Sibugay
February 24 | A civic-military parade kicks off the celebration. Agri-trade fair, sports competition, cultural presentation and selection of Bb. Zamboanga Sibugay are also held.

ADIVAY
La Trinidad, Bengued
February 25 | The maiden launching of an annual Agri Tourism Trade Fair featuring the various products of the BLIST area which will complement the activity highlights of Panagbenga . Adivay which means "fun" will be held in La Trinidad Benguet.

CARAGAN FESTIVAL
Mabalacat, Pampanga
February 25-26 | Held every  3rd week of February as part of the month-long celebration of the town fiesta of Mabalacat, Pampanga. Named after the first chieftain of Mabalacat town who is a native Aeta  married to a Mabalaquena named Laureana Tolentino. Highlight of the event is the celebration of the traditional Aeta culture.

HIL-O - HIL-O FESTIVAL
Maayon, Capiz
February 26- February 28 | A cultural and fiesta celebration.

DIA DELA CIUDAD DE ZAMBOANGA
Zamboanga City
February 26 | A celebration to honor the historical event when Zamboanga was converted into chartered city. Activities include street dancing, cultural dance festival and a regatta.

CARACOL FESTIVAL
Glorietta 4 Park Makati City, Metro Manila
February 27 | Official festival of the City of Makati wherein participating groups are dressed in flowers, trees, birds, butterflies, fruits and other endangered species of animals in expression for the need to preserve and conserve mother nature.

NANGKAAN FESTIVAL
Maigo , Lanao del Norte
February 27 | Celebration of  Langka’s abundance in the municipality of Maigo through street dancing competition and aqua/ agro fair highlighted with evening search for Ms. Maigo and fashion show using langka as the main attraction.

ITIK-ITIK FESTIVAL
Pasig City, Metro Manila
February 27 | The Itik-Itik Festival is held every last Sunday of February in Brgy. Kalawaan. Men, women and children take part in the activities and merrymaking. The significant event is not only limited to colorful activities, sumptuous food, revelry and fun, but also draws people closer to God and to one another. It is a rich showcase of Filipino culture and tradition usually celebrated on the Feasts of the barangay’s beloved patroness, St. Martha.

MANIAMBUS FESTIVAL
Negros Occidental
February 27 | "Maniambus" is a Visayan term meaning to strike with a club because its coastal waters were them beaming with fish that catching could be done simply by clubbing.

SAMBAYAN FESTIVAL
Tobias Fornier, Antique
February 28- March 31 | A celebration of rites called samba/paned. This describe two kinds of rituals, one held on the hills (or mountains) and other held along the seacoast perform to ask for rain, to thank the ancestral spirit for good harvest.

PAHIMIS FESTIVAL
Amadeo, Cavite
February 2nd Week | The coffee festival was conceived to showcase  the main industry of the town of Amadeo.

IBON-EBON FESTIVAL
Candaba, Pampanga
February (first week) | One of the more colourful events in Pampanga, the Ibon Ebon Festival (literally means 'bird - egg') features the municipality of Candaba as the home of thousands of migratory birds from different parts of the globe, and at the same time showcases its growing duck-egg industry. Among the activities featured during the two-day event include: street-dance performance by Tribung Dumara and other schools' contingents, exhibits and trade fair at the Ms. Earth Park, bird-inspired kite flying exhibition, itik race and boat race along Pampanga river.

KAWAYAN FESTIVAL/NATIONAL ARTS MONTH
PROTECH Koronadal City
February (1 month) | A back-to-back celebration of the national arts month and the showcase of the various Kawayan products produced by local craftsmen of South Cotabato.

PISTA SINTURA
Cotabato City
February | A celebration featuring the rich Maguindanaon artistry and culture.  Lectures and workshops on visual arts, performing theater and culinary made up most of the activities.

35TH BAMBOO ORGAN FESTIVAL
Las Piñas
February (3rd week)
An international organ festival participated in by foreign artists being held every year at St. Joseph Parish of Las Piñas City where the famous Bamboo Organ is housed. To date, the bamboo organ is praised for its unique, rare and melodious sound. Concerts are also held in celebration of the festival.

If you know of a festival, fiesta and local celebration in February 2014 not included in the list that would like to be included, just email the following information:

NAME OF FESTIVAL/FIESTA/CELEBRATION:
Municipality/City:
Date of the Activity:
Very Short Description:

If would be better if you can send photos, but not necessary.