October is a great time to visit the Philippines because it hosts a number of popular festivals. Here’s the list of the most popular Philippine festivals in October.
Calbayog Grand Karakol
Calbayog City – October 16
Calbayog Grand Karakol Festival is a religious celebration of thanksgiving and the joyous pageantry of dancing San Rafael devotees.
Catadungan Festival
Virac, Catanduanes – October 24
The Catandungan Festival celebrates the anniversary of the town’s independence from the province of Albay. Among the special events at the festival are Pantomina, beauty pageants, guided tours, and photo exhibits. The “Pantomina Catanduanes,” a colorful street dance competition, is held during the festival. Pantomina is a popular dance not only in the province but all over Bicol. Its movements are meant to resemble a rooster and hen mating dance.
Feast of La Naval Manila
Quezon City – October 11
La Naval de Manila is held every second Sunday of October at Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City. This is a festival commemorating the carving of the Blessed Virgin Mary of La Naval in 1593. The image, which is elegantly decorated and housed in a well-lit ship carriage, was given as a gift to the Dominican fathers.
During the festival, the beloved image is carried out of the church, followed by a dozen images of Dominican saints. The procession circles the main streets of Sto. Domingo Parish before returning to the church to applause until it reaches the altar pedestal.
Halaran festival
Roxas City – 1st week
The word halaran is derived from the Visayan word halad, which means a gift or an offer. This festival celebrates the Capizeos’ vibrant history and culture. It refers to the time preceding the arrival of the Spaniards during the landing and settlement of the Bornean datus.
The Bornean Datus, legend has it, gave gifts to the Panay aborigines as tokens of goodwill and friendship. As a result, there was a lively Halaran celebration, complete with eating, drinking, and dancing to the exotic beat of drums.
Street dancing, lissome Capizeos, and babaylans making offerings to the spirits are now part of Halaran. The festival celebrates the province’s charms and beauty, as well as its color, romance, and history.
Inug-og Festival
Òroquieta City – October 14
The word halaran comes from the Visayan word halad, which means “gift” or “offer.” This festival honors the Capizeos’ rich history and culture. It refers to the period preceding the Spaniards’ arrival during the landing and settlement of the Bornean datus.
According to legend, the Bornean Datus bestowed gifts on the Panay aborigines as tokens of goodwill and friendship. As a result, a lively Halaran celebration was held, complete with eating, drinking, and dancing to the exotic beat of drums.
Halaran now includes street dancing, lissome Capizeos, and babaylans making offerings to the spirits. The festival honors the province’s beauty and charms, as well as its color, romance, and history.
Kamgbegu Festival
Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur – October15-16
A peace festival celebrated by the people of Duhaylungsod Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur.
For many years, rice farming has been the Subanen’s primary source of income, and it is an important part of their culture.
Harvest season is a time for Subanen to gather as one, family and friends, not only for the harvest but also for the sharing of bountiful blessings, singing, dancing, chanting, and feasting on home-cooked delicacies and ‘pangase,’ a rice wine fermented through a traditional process kept and passed down through ancestral lines.
Kasanggayahan Festival
Sorsogon, Sorsogon – October 1 – 31
The Kasanggayahan Festival, which means “life of prosperity” or kasaganahan in Tagalog, includes an agri-tourism trade fair, historico-cultural parade, pageants, singing and dancing competitions, as well as arts, sports, and culinary competitions throughout the month of October.
Lanzones Festival
Mambajao, Camiguin – October 20 – 27
The Lanzones festival is a way for residents to express gratitude for a bountiful harvest of not only lanzones but also other agricultural products.
The Lanzones fruit is a major source of income for the Camiguin Islands, and this thanksgiving day is dedicated to the annual harvest. Lanzones and lanzones leaves are used to decorate houses, carriages, street poles, and even people. Townspeople celebrate the legend that a beautiful, unknown maiden took away the bitter flavor of the water, leaving only its luscious, sweet taste.
Mambulawan Festival
Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte – October 6 – 7
The festival coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. The municipality is rich in gold mines that are called “Bicol Bulawan”.
Masskara Festival
Bacolod City – October
Also known as the “Festival of Smiles.” Participants wear colorful smiling masks to represent happiness. The festival name is coined from two words: “mass”, meaning crowd, and the Spanish word “cara,” meaning mask. Masskara translates to “many faces.”
Parau Festival
Pilar, Sorsogon – October 1 – 12
A festival showcasing the culture and heritage of Pilar.
Rahugan Festival
Basud, Camarines Norte – October 18 – 24
A festival showcasing the culture of Basud. Rahugan comes from the word “rahug” which means a group of coconuts that signifies strength when united.
Sagingan Festival
Tubod, Lanao del Norte – October 17
The Sagingan Festival showcases Tubod, the capital of Lanao del Norte. Lanao del Norte is a banana-growing province, and Tubod is one of its most important producers. The most anticipated event is the street dancing and showdown competition. Tubod’s streets are vibrantly colored and filled with music, highlighting the town’s diverse cultural influences.
Unod Festival
Castilla, Sorsogon – October 1 – 7
A thanksgiving festival for a bountiful harvest of root crops. Unod is a Bicol term meaning root.
Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
Zamboanga City – October
Also known as Fiesta Pilar, the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival is an annual celebration in honor of the Patroness Saint of Zamboanga City, Our Lady of the Pillar better known as Nuestra Señora La Virgen del Pila
Festivals by Month: JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
