The Pearl of the Orient Seas has never failed to wow visitors and locals alike. No matter how strong the wind is or how high the tides are, its mesmerizing beauty shines in every place and in every people in the Philippines.
There are so many things to share and to talk about when you hear the phrase “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” It even became an expression for good or bad events. But what it only conveys is how Filipinos have this positive attitude in life. So, for my first part of “It’s More Fun in the Philippines Series” this year, I want to showcase the Philippine’s Rainbow of Colors, “Fiestas” or Festivals.
A country that has 1,701 islands, it is uncommon not have their individual island festivals for multiple celebrations. From good harvest to celebrating a prosperous year, Filipinos have a lot of things to give thanks for and celebrate. This month, the most popular upcoming festivals to watch for and two of my favorites are the Feast of the Black Nazarene and the Sinulog Festival. Let’s talk these religious festivals in some details.
Feast of the Black Nazarene
Celebrated during the 9th of January commonly in Tondo, Manila, but is observed nationwide, has deep religious roots brought by the first group of Augustinian Recollects friars in the year 1606. This sculpture of Jesus Christ is a life-sized, dark in color and is made of wood. Hand carved by an Aztec carpenter, it is believed to be miraculous especially to the devotees.
It has some personal connection to every single Filipino devotee since it represents Filipino color so-to-speak. Since the Spanish era, religious sculptures brought and introduced have white-skin in color persona but this sculpture was unique (has the same skin color of the locals but divine in nature) making it very special to every single Filipino devotees. They said that the wood was burn turning its white pale skin color into its present dark ash colored skin.
Series of Holy Mass, novena and prayers are done by devotees all over the country to the Blessed Black Nazarene. It is carried for a procession into the streets by a carriage pulled through by hand by the devotees. Touching the Blessed image of Christ bring numerous miracles to devotees like healing, resolution of personal turmoil and even bring more financial blessings. For some who are not able to personally touch the image, they throw handkerchief or towels to the people guarding the image as it pass by the street hoping to have pass an invisible miraculous power over them.
Sinulog Festival
One of the Catholic Festivals held on the 3rd Sunday of the month to honor the child Christ or “Sto. Niño” in Cebu City but is also observed nationwide especially in the Visayas Region. The image was said to be a gift of Ferdinand Magellan to the queen of Cebu and since then, the pagan natives were converted to Christianity.
Filipinos are not only religious in nature but loves little children and having a little image of Christ makes it more close to the devotees. It is one of the grandest, most colorful and distinguished festivals in the country making it a tourist attraction already. Traditionally this festivity lasts for 9 days showcasing different colorful street dance, parade and procession. The forward-backward movement common to all street dances represents the flow of water where the festival name originated “like a flow of water current”. This traditional festival has adapted the modern day changes as well but maintaining its origins.
Wherever island you may be in the Philippines, the festival here is beyond comparison. There is something in the Filipino celebrations that makes you feel at home and welcomed. Oh, did I mention the mouth watery delicacies present in every festival? I think that is another story next time. I would love to hear your festival experiences within or outside the Philippines. Feel free to share.
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