FESTIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES～OCTOBER - DECEMBER～

■OCTOBER FESTIVALS

FIESTANG KULIAT
October 01-31/ Angeles City (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila by land)
A month-long celebration of the twin fiestas of Angeles City, namely La Naval and Fiestang Apu.

PAGODA (FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI)
October 04 / Cardona, Rizal (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land)
An annual procession to ask the Lord Almighty for a bountiful and blessed lake through the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi.

IBALONG FESTIVAL
October 06-12 / Legazpi City, Albay (55 minutes from Manila by air)
A tribute to Bicol Region's epic tale of superheroes and villains with native songs and dances in a grand street presentation.

LUBI-LUBI FESTIVAL
October 08 / Glan, Sarangani Province (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to General Santos City by air; 1 hour from General Santos City to Glan by land)
A festival showing various uses of the coconut trees and its products through dances and street revelry.

TING'UDO FESTIVAL
October 10 / Makilala, Cotabato (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cotabato City by air; 2 hours 30 minutes from Cotabato City to Makilala by land)
A celebration of bountiful fruit harvest highlighted by a fruit festival.

ZAMBOANGA HERMOSA FESTIVAL
October 10-12 / Zamboanga City (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila by air)
The "City of Flowers" celebrates its grand annual festival featuring the "vintas" (colorful native sailboats) in a fast- paced regatta, cultural and flower shows, art exhibits and trade fairs.

PAMUGU-AN FESTIVAL
3rd week of October / Mansalay, Mindoro Oriental (2 hours 30 minutes from Batangas City by land; 2 hours 30 minutes from Batangas City to Calapan/Mansalay by land/ferry)
A festive reunion of different "Mangyan" tribes with sports events, baratillo of native products.

MASSKARA FESTIVAL
October 14-21 / Bacolod City (1 hour 10 minutes from Manila by air)
Merrymaking in Sugarlandia where revelers wear colorful costumes and gaudily-decorated masks.[details]

KASANGGAYAHAN FESTIVAL
October 15-25 / Sorsogon, Sorsogon (55 minutes from Manila to Legazpi City by air; 1 hour 30 minutes from Legazpi City to Sorsogon by land)
An annual celebration for "prosperity and happiness".

SAGINGAN FESTIVAL
October 16-17 / Tubod, Lanao del Norte (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City by air; 4 hours from Cagayan de Oro City to Iligan/Tubod by land)
A celebration of thanksgiving and bounty featuring the banana.

ANA KALANG FESTIVAL
October 18-22 / Nagcarlan, Laguna (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land)
A roster-full of activities highlighting an agri-fair that exhibits the town's bountiful harvest.

LEYTE GULF LANDING ANNIVERSARY
October 20 / Dulang, Palo, Leyte (1 hour 15 minutes from Manila to Tacloban City by air; 20 minutes from Tacloban City to Dulang/Palo by land)
Commemorates the landing of Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the shores of Palo, Leyte to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese occupation.

MARAGUSAN OCTO TREK
October 22-25 / Maragusan, Compostela Valley (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 3 hours from Davao City to Maragusan by land)
An annual trek up Mt. Candalaga, one of the region's highest peaks.

BATTLE OF SURIGAO STRAIT
October 25 / Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (2 hours 10 minutes from Manila by air)
Commemoration of the anniversary of the battle of Surigao Strait during World War II.

LANZONES FESTIVAL
October 25-28 / Camiguin (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cagayan de Oro City by air; 2 hours 15 minutes from Cagayan de Oro City to Camiguin City by land/ferry)
A street dancing extravaganza featuring Camiguin's favorite fruit - the Lanzones.[details]

SAMAL EXTREME CHALLENGE
October 26-29 / Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 30 minutes from Davao City to the Island Garden City of Samal by ferry)
A one-event-multi-feature plot of outdoor activities like caving, climbing, hiking, biking, horse riding, paddling.

■NOVEMBER FESTIVALS

CAVE ECO-ADVENTURE
November 01-03 / Compostela Valley (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 2 hours from Davao City to Compostela Valley by land)
Spelunking activities in four of the grand caves of the province coupled with lectures on cave preservation.

BEST OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO (REGION XI) IN INTRAMUROS
November 01-16 / Manila
A showcase of the best of the best of Southern Mindanao (music, dances, fiestas, culinary delights, street parties, arts and crafts). It aims to give a glimpse of what happens in the various provinces, and provides a venue for the region to sell their tour packages, products and open their doors to business opportunities.

NORTH PHILIPPINES MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
November 02-03 / Venue TBA
Showcases the best of the Northern Philippines' music and arts.

PINTAFLORES FESTIVAL
November 03-05 / San Carlos City, Negros Occidental (1 hour 10 minutes from Manila to Bacolod City by air; 3 hours 30 minutes from Bacolod City to San Carlos City by land)
A three-day religious festivity honoring the patron saint of San Carlos City, St. Charles Borromeo.

7th NATIONAL DANCESPORT CHAMPIONSHIP
November 05-07 / Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena, Pasig City, Metro Manila (20 minutes from Manila)
A dancesport competition featuring local competitors.

FRUIT AND FLOWER FESTIVAL
November 05-09 / Nabunturan, Compostela Valley (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 2 hours from Davao City to Nabunturan by land)
A festival showcasing the abundance of the province's produce.

EL CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE/KANSILAY FESTIVAL
November 05-13 / Bago City, Negros Occidental (1 hour 10 minutes from Manila to Bacolod City by air; 30 minutes from Bacolod City to Bago City by land)
November 5, 1898 will be remembered by the Negrenses as a day of bloodless revolts against the Spanish colonizers. This patriotic event is celebrated with an annual cultural festival.

ANGONO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 05-25 / Angono, Rizal (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land)
Rich culture and traditions of Angono will be presented and showcased through actual presentations of figurative sense of communication such as the arts.

22nd ILGA WORLD CONFERENCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND SEXUAL MINORITIES
November 07-14 / Venue TBA

IDSF OPEN STANDARD & LATIN CHAMPIONSHIP
November 08-10 / Philsports Multi-Purpose Arena, Pasig City, Metro Manila (20 minutes from Manila)
A dancesport competition featuring competitors from different countries.

CONCERT NIGHT AT THE OLD WALLS
Every Saturday of November / NCCA Auditorium, Intramuros, Manila
November 08 - OPM
November 15 - La Salle Pops Orchestra
November 22 - Ateneo Glee Club
November 29 - Mandaluyong Children's Choir

PUTONG POLO FESTIVAL
2nd Sunday of November / Polo, Valenzuela, Metro Manila (1 hour from Manila)
A festival which aims to promote a deeper cultural awareness about Valenzuela through its famous native delicacy called Putong Polo.

HELOBONG FESTIVAL
November 09-11 / Lake Sebu, South Cotabato (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to General Santos City by air; 2 hours from General Santos City to Lake Sebu by land)
See the T'Boli culture in its colorful best through the natives' traditional songs, dances and crafts.

WORLD TRAVEL MART
November 10-13 / London
Held annually at the Earl's Court in London, WTM has been considered the global travel event for the industry. Approximately 5,000 of the world's leading travel and tourism companies from 172 countries are expected to attend the WTM. The fair is open to both trade and consumer.

13th INTERNATIONAL WATER ASSOCIATION - ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION
November 12-16 / Cebu International Convention Center , Cebu City
(1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)

STREET PARTY
November 14 / Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel
A monthly activity that capitalizes as well as highlights the musicality of Filipinos and their love for fiestas and merry making.

6th WOMEN PLAYWRIGHTS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
November 14-19 / Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila

NATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL (IKATLONG TAGPO)
November 14-21 / Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila
A quadrennial event which will gather together theater artists and cultural workers to showcase the works of various theater groups across the country.

QUEEN CITY INTERNATIONAL RUN
3rd Sunday of November / Cebu City / Mandaue & Lapu-Lapu, Cebu
(1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)
13.4 km. leisure-oriented finishers' run.

PASKUHAN SA DUMAGUETE WITH KUMBIRA
November 16-December 31 / Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
(1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)
Establishments are enjoined to light up and decorate their respective places using "sinamay" as the main material or accent. Other activities include sports events, garden shows, art shows and food festivals.

BEST OF WESTERN MINDANAO (REGION IX) AND CARAGA (REGION XIII) IN INTRAMUROS
November 17-30 / Manila
A showcase of the best of the best of Western Mindanao and Caraga (music, dances, fiestas, culinary delights, street parties, arts and crafts). It aims to give a glimpse of what happens in the various provinces, and provides a venue for the region to sell their tour packages, products and open their doors to business opportunities.

BAGUIO ARTS FESTIVAL
November 18 / Baguio City (50 minutes from Manila by air)
An exhibition of the different artworks and art pieces of Cordillera artists using different art media.

P' YAGSAWITAN FESTIVAL
November 18-25 / Maragusan, Compostela Valley (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 3 hours from Davao City to Maragusan by land)
A celebration highlighting the town's ecotourism potential.

18TH ADVERTISING CONGRESS
November 19-24 / CAP Convention Center, Camp John Hay, Baguio City (50 minutes from Manila by air)

KALIMUDAN FESTIVAL
November 21 / Isulan, Sultan Kudarat (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cotabato City by air; 1 hour 15 minutes from Cotabato City to Isulan by land)
A tribal fiesta in Mindanao with every major ethnic group joining in the fun.

ASIAN ETHNIC FOOD FEST
November 21-23 / World Trade Center, Manila
An annual specialized trade fair organized by CITEM for the international market. Product profile includes fresh and processed food and organic and natural products.

PHILIPPINE TRAVEL MART
November 21-23 / Megatrade Exhibition Hall, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City (1 hour from Manila by land)
An annual market encounter between buyers and sellers of tourist destinations, services and products in the regions.

HIGANTES FESTIVAL
November 23 / Angono, Rizal (2 hours 30 minutes from Manila by land)
A fiesta of "gigantic" proportions highlighted by a grand procession of 10-feet high papier mache puppets, surrounded by a crowd of drenched, water-fighting revelers.

ADVENTURE TRIATHLON
November 23-29 / Sibulan, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 40 minutes from Davao City to Sta. Cruz by land)
A sports activity-tubing the rapids of Sibulan River, uphill running and bancathon.

3rd INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON TOXICOLOGY
November 24-26 / Subic Bay (30 minutes from Manila by air / 2 hours and 30 minutes from Manila by land)

2nd MARAGUSAN MOUNTAIN BIKING COMPETITION
November 24-26 / Maragusan, Compostela Valley (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 3 hours from Davao City to Maragusan by land)
A rugged mountain bike climb in several exciting categories of competition.

2003 NAMCYA (National Music Competition for Young Artists) FESTIVAL
Last week of November / Venue TBA

FIL-AM INTERNATIONAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
Last week of November - 1st week of December / Club John Hay/Baguio Country Club, Baguio City (50 minutes from Manila by air)
The biggest amateur golf tournament in the world covering 2 golf courses, Club John Hay and Baguio Country Club.

DECEMBER FIESTA 2003
November 29-30 / Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex Boardwalk, Manila
CCP's holiday performances at the outdoor venues. Drum and lyre bands, choir, folkdance groups and community theater groups become the centerpiece for an artists' fair at the CCP Complex Boardwalk.

5th MT. PINATUBO TREK (A March to Peace and Tranquility)
November 30 / Sta. Juliana,Capas, Tarlac (2 hours from Manila by land)
An annual trek meant to promote Mt. Pinatubo as a major ecotourism destination and bring economic opportunities for the host community of Sta. Juliana.

KUNSIERTO SA CIUDAD
November 30 / Kidapawan City, North Cotabato (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cotabato City by air; 2 hours 15 minutes from Cotabato City to Kidapawan City by land)
Live band competition featuring local and regional artists.

2nd GLOBAL FILIPINO NETWORKING CONVENTION
November 30 - December 02 / Philippine International Convention Center, Manila

PHILIPPINE TOURISM CUP
November / Venue TBA
A monthly golf tournament, held on a regional level, which aims to promote the country as "Asia's Golf Capital".

INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORIC FESTIVAL
November / Venue TBA
A dance festival that will feature the cultural diversity of each country. A mixture of entertainment and education with emphasis on historical importance.

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL (With Provincial/Regional/National Competitions)
November / Venue TBA
A music festival showcasing the talent and musicality of Filipinos and re-enforcing Philippines' claim as the "Music Capital of Asia".

HARANA SA MAKATI
November / Makati City, Metro Manila (30 minutes from Manila by land)
A romantic project wherein the boys will serenade their school belles in traditional and contemporary styles with an aim to preserve, conserve, promote and practice our customs and traditions.

15th FEDERATION OF ASIAN AND OCEANIC PEST MANAGERS ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
November / Venue TBA

JATA CONGRESS & TRADE SHOW
November / Tokyo, Japan
The biggest travel trade event in Japan in terms of number of participating countries and exhibitors.

CHINA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL MART (CITM)
November / Kunming, PROC
A major travel show in China held inter-changeably in Shanghair and Kunming. The fair offers the best opportunity for participants to get to know both China's inbound and outbound markets and provides more chances for traders who operate travel business in China. CITM offers exhibitors the chance to meet nearly 1,000 quality buyers worldwide.

TAIPEI INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR (TITF)
November / Taipei, Taiwan
A trade and consumer fair and the only major annual travel event in Taiwan. About 80,000 visitors attend the event; it has become one of the largest and most effective tourism and travel event in Taiwan.

AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL AGENTS (ASTA) WORLD CONGRESS
November / Miami, Florida
Biggest association of American travel agents. It holds its annual congress and trade show outside of the United States every other two years.

■DECEMBER FESTIVALS

GRAND CONCERT ON FILIPINO COMPOSITIONS
December 01 / Venue TBA

REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
December 01-03 / Asian Institute of Management, Makati City, Metro Manila (30 minutes from Manila)

BEST OF CAGAYAN VALLEY (REGION II) AND CENTRAL LUZON (REGION III) IN INTRAMUROS
December 01-14 / Manila
A showcase of the best of the best of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon. (music, dances, fiestas, culinary delights, street parties, arts and crafts). It aims to give a glimpse of what happens in the various provinces, and provides a venue for the regions to sell their tour packages, products and open their doors to business opportunities.

5th ASIA PACIFIC SOCIETY OF PERIODONTOLOGY CONFERENCE
December 03-05 / Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu (1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)

SINADYA SA HALARAN
December 04-08 / Roxas City, Capiz (50 minutes from Manila by air)
"Joy in sharing and thanksgiving" celebrated through a fireworks display, a sumptuous foodfest and a grand dance festival.

DECEMBER FIESTA 2003
December 06-07/13-14 / Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex Boardwalk, Manila
CCP's holiday performances at the outdoor venues. Drum and lyre bands, choir, folkdance groups and community theater groups become the centerpiece for an artists' fair at the CCP Complex Boardwalk.

CONCERT NIGHT AT THE OLD WALLS
Every Saturday of December / NCCA Auditorium, Intramuros, Manila
December 06 - Ballet Philippines
December 13 - Aiza Seguerra / Sto. Domingo Male Chorale
December 20 - Tribung Pinoy
December 27 - UP Singing Ambassadors / Kaibigan Girls Choir

MARIAN PROCESSION
December 07 / Plaza Roma-Aduana-Muralla-General Luna-Plaza Roma, Intramuros, Manila

MT. APO CLIMB VIA BARACATAN
December 10-14 / Toril, Davao City (1 hour 45 minutes from Manila to Davao City by air; 30 minutes from Davao City to Toril by land)
A yearly regular climb.

PHILIPPINE TOURISM CUP
December 11-12 / All regions
A monthly golf tournament, held on a regional level, which aims to promote the country as "Asia's Golf Capital".

COFFEE FESTIVAL
December 11-16 / Lipa City, Batangas (2 hours from Manila by land)
A week-long tribute to this Batangas specialty.

KASADYAAN FESTIVAL
December 12-14 / Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental (1 hour 15 minutes from Manila by air)
The city's oldest running fiesta and Mardi gras parade.

SHARIFF KABUNSUAN FESTIVAL
December 15-19 / Cotabato City/Maguindanao (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila by air)
A celebration of the arrival of Islam to the Region. [details]

GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL
December 15-31 / San Fernando, Pampanga (1 hour from Manila by land)
An annual competition and parade of the biggest, most spectacular lanterns around 40 feet in diameter and bearing thousands of light bulbs per piece.

GIANT LANTERNS OF REGION III AND WINNING LANTERNS OF THE ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL
December 15-31 / Intramuros, Manila

KANYONG KAWAYAN FESTIVAL
3rd week of December / Kidapawan City, North Cotabato (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila to Cotabato City by air; 2 hours 15 minutes from Cotabato City to Kidapawan City by land)
A unique activity to discourage the use of dangerous pyrotechnics during the yuletide season. A citywide contest features the firing of bamboo canons using empty milk cans as projectiles.

MISA DE GALLO
December 16-24 / Nationwide
Misa de Gallo is a Filipino yuletide tradition that starts on the 16th of December and culminates in a midnight mass on Christmas Eve. Roman Catholics attend the daily mass at three or four in the morning. Upon exiting the church, the hungry is enticed by the sight and smell of puto bumbong and bibingka (native delicacies made of sticky and glutinous rice sold nearby).

PASTORES BICOL
December 18 / Legazpi City, Albay (55 minutes from Manila by air)
A musical re-enactment of the story of the nativity.

STREET PARTY
December 19 / Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel
A monthly activity that capitalizes as well as highlights the musicality of Filipinos and their love for fiestas and merry making.

TAWO-TAWO FESTIVAL
December 21 / Bayawan City, Negros Oriental (1 hour 15 minutes from Manila to Dumaguete City by air; 3 hours from Dumaguete City to Bayawan City by land)
Celebration of the scarecrows (tawo-tawo) through papier mache higantes as guardians of the town's crops.

MAYTINIS FESTIVAL
December 24 / Kawit, Cavite (1 hour 30 minutes from Manila by land)
A dramatic retelling of St. Joseph's and the Virgin Mary's search in Bethlehem for a place to stay; culminates in a lively parade down the streets of Kawit.

INTERNATIONAL FIREWORKS FESTIVAL / COMPETITION
December 25 - January 1, 2004 / Intramuros, Manila
Meant to re-establish the distinction of the fireworks industry and to draw more people into the country.

BINIRAYAN FESTIVAL
December 28-30 / San Jose, Antique (1 hour from Manila by air)
A commemoration of the arrival of the ten chieftains from Borneo who founded the first Malay settlement in the country.

TULTUGAN FESTIVAL
December 29 / Maasin, Iloilo (1 hour 5 minutes from Manila to Iloilo City by air; 30 minutes from Iloilo City to Maasin by land)
An annual tribute to Panay Island's native drum and ancient bamboo instrument.

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL
December / Venue TBA
A grand extravaganza that will serve as a "melting pot" of culture and tradition through a diorama of lanterns coming from the different Asian countries.

BELEN DISPLAY AND COMPETITION
December / Intramuros, Manila

BELEN SA MAKATI
December / Makati Establishments (30 minutes from Manila)
Competition of creches (Belens) in all Makati establishments

EID'L FITR
December (Movable) / Nationwide (but most fun in Region XII)
A worldwide festival celebrating the end of one-month fasting period of the holy month of Ramadhan by the Muslims.