1. PISTANG PINOY: an Overview of Philippine Festivals Riya Brigino Lopez
Prepared for the participants of the 8th seminar workshop on DOT’s Tunay na Pyestang Pinoy
May 7-9, 2008/ Balibago, Angeles City

2. 7,100 islands 7,100 more festivals
…and the number is still growing…

3. Classification of festivals/celebrations based on cultural traditions
ANIMISTIC
celebrations flowered before the arrival of the Western powers and still exists today

4. cont. classification of festivals…
2. CHRISTIAN
celebrations introduced during the Spanish colonial period, adopted, transformed from the 16th century to the present

5. cont. classification of festivals…
3. MUSLIM celebrations and or festivals developed after Islam’s arrival in the 14th century and have been observed until now

6. cont. classification of festivals…
4. SECULAR
festivals/celebrations started during the American colonial period and has since been multiplied to thousands

7. samples of ANIMISTIC celebration
1. Cañao (Cordillera)
celebration in the form of rituals as thanksgiving and or celebration of rites of passage
Purpose: promotion of the welfare of the community, survival, harmony among settlers

10. purpose: appease or thank the spirits for good harvest
cont. sample of ANIMISTIC celebration
2. BUKLOG (Subanons of Northwestern in Mindanao) whole day celebration that involves ancient ritual to honor the spirits: malengma (spirit of the water); mamanwa (spirit of the forest);manising palingkitan (spirit of the mountain)
purpose: appease or thank the spirits for good harvest

11. Buklog features a platform of about 15 feet high
Buklog features a platform of about 15 feet high. It is built on the spot chosen by baylan (native priestess)

12. samples of feasts or celebrations among Islamized groups
HARI RAYA POASA
celebration at the end of the feasting month of Ramadan. Begins with a ritual of cleansing.

13. celebration after the completion of pilgrimage to Mecca
cont. samples of feasts or celebrations among Islamized groups
2. HARI RAYA RADJ
celebration after the completion of pilgrimage to Mecca

15. celebration of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed
cont. samples of feasts or celebrations among Islamized groups
3. MAULOD EN NABI
celebration of the birth of the
Prophet Mohammed

16. sample of pre-Islamic festivities
Kalilang sa Tonong (Maranao) held every April in Marawi and includes fluvial parades singing and playing of indigenous instruments
purpose: ask the spirit of water for a bountiful harvest

17. KASHAWING, a ritual held to ensure good harvest
It also includes
KASHAWING, a ritual held to ensure good harvest

18. samples of celebrations among Christians
CHRISTMAS - Misa de Gallo - pastores - panunuluyan - maytinis - Tatlong Hari - others

19. Lenten Rites
- panata
- pabasa, pasyon
- caridad
- sinakulo
- osana
- paghuhugas ng paa
- siete palabras
- others

20. LET US REVIEW…
1. FESTIVALS/ CELEBRATIONS/ RITUALS ARE HELD EVEN BEFORE WESTERN COLONIZATION
2. ALL CULTURES HAVE SPECIFIC FORMS OF CELEBRATIONS
3. THE ANIMISTIC, MUSLIM and Christian feasts ARE DEEPLY ROOTED TO THE CULTURE OF THE COMMUNITY and held in response to the needs of the community (not only material needs but spiritual as well)

21. 4. Celebrations are not whimsically created but consciously held to:
a. promote the welfare of the community
b. promote political integrity
c. social harmony of each tribal community
d. honor and or appease the spirits (water, sky, forest and other elements) for bountiful harvest, guidance and protection
e. ask permission or invoke spirits for guidance

22. cont. classification of festivals…
4. SECULAR
festivals/celebrations started during the American colonial period and has since been multiplied to thousands

23. Secular celebrations proliferated during the American period
Nature and Purpose
- foundation of the province
- promotion of the place as a tourist destination
- promote the main product of the place
- highlight the unique cultural traditions and customs
- highlight historical events / heroes etc.
- highlight achievements in the arts and other fields
- honor and reverence for the environment

24. For the last 15 years or so “agro-cultural festival” has mushroomed incessantly
The rising number of festivals centers on sacred images (though incidental at times) is very alarming

25. Other SAMPLES OF SECULAR FESTIVAL
National Arts Festival – nationwide celebration every February
National Heritage Month
Independence Day celebration
Arts Festival (music, theater, dance etc.)

26. Cuerdas nin Kagabsan: Strings of Unity First International Rondalla Festival Feb. 8-14, 2004, Bicol Region

27. National and Foreign Participants (Russia, Israel, U. S
National and Foreign Participants (Russia, Israel, U.S., Mexico, Australia etc.)

28. Outreach Performance

29. OUTREACH PERFORMANCES

30. Some popular festivals

31. Ati-Atihan of Kalibo

32. Pahiyas Festival

33. MASSKARA FESTIVAL (Bacolod, Negros Occidental)

34. KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL (DAVAO City)

35. PANAGBENGA (Baguio City, Benguet)

36. CURRENT Challenges in Creating a Festival /Event
How to create a festival that will be at par with the existing ones in terms of :
1. Significance
2. Color
3. Symbols
4. Exuberance
5. Timing
6. Rhythm/Sounds
7. Variety of events
8. Magnitude of events
9. Marketing and promotion opportunities (media etc.)
10. Profitability (not just money but other resources as well)

37. MEANING and symbolism

38. Color, exuberance and pageantry

39. ANTIQUES/Pakulo

40. Ingenuity /Creativity

41. BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF ALL
How to arrest the seemingly homogeneity of the festivals all over the country

42. How to arrest the proliferation of the “culture of competition” being espoused by many festivals

43. To be able to confront these challenges it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive cultural research

44. it is the responsibility of the festival managers in cooperation with other stakeholders to plan and create a significant festival or celebration

45. a significant festival starts with a sensible and research based concept

46. a sensible concept could be derived from…
needs and aspirations of any given community
history, origin and vision of the place
d distinct culture of the community
e identity of the people and place
f myths, legends, folktales
g traditional creative expressions
h advocacy

47. IT IS HIGH TIME TO PLAN A MORE SOULFUL CELEBRATION
LET US START BY ASKING WHY ARE WE HOLDING THE FESTIVAL IN THE FIRST PLACE…

48. SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
FESTIVAL SHOULD MEAN MORE TO THE SOCIETY WHERE IT EMERGES
After all, FESTIVAL is NOT just about pageantry, NOT just about winning a competition but more of a
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

49. SALAMAT PO!