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JANUARY 2014
1 NEW YEAR’S DAY | Wednesday (Every 1st of January) | Philippine Regular Holiday.
Solemnity of Mary Mother of God HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
9 FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE | Thursday | Quiapo, Manila
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.
19 ATI-ATIHAN 2014 | 3rd Sunday |Kalibo, Aklan
Commemorates the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Niño.
#3 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Related post: KALIBO: What to Expect in the Sto. Niño ATI-ATIHAN Festival in Kalibo?
19 SINULOG 2014 | 3rd Sunday | Cebu City
Cebu’s biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Sto. Niño
#2 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Related Blog Posts: Sinulog Fluvial Breakfast! and The Sinulog’s Grand Parade
26 DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2014 | 4th Sunday | Iloilo City
Street dancing characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing & chanting all day and night.
#1 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Related Blog Post: Iloilo’s Dinagyang: Hala Bira! Viva Señor Santo Niño!
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN BOSCO | Friday (Every 31st of Jan)
Celebration of the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth who founded the Salesian Society.
31 CHINESE NEW YEAR – WOODEN HORSE | Friday | Special Non-Working Holiday | The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese New Year with pomp & color through a dragon dance.
Related Blog Posts: DISCOVER BINONDO: Chinese New Year + Ramada Hotel + 168 Shopping,
Binondo Chinese New Year and Kiong Hee Huat Tsai is Happy New Year in Binondo
Long Weekend #1: January 31 to Febuary 2 (3 Days)
FEBRUARY 2014
2 FEAST OF OUR LADY OF CANDLES | Sunday (Every 2nd of Feb) | Jaro, Iloilo | Western Visayas celebrates the Patroness of their region.
11 FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES | Tuesday (Every 11th of February) | Celebration of the Our Lady of Lourdes’ Apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France
14 HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY! | Friday (Every 14th of Feb) | Philippines
Filipino lover’s most romantic event of the year!
20-23 HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA | Thursday to Sunday | Clark, Angeles, Pampanga | Watch the awesome hot air balloons fly out as the sun rises in the horizon.
#8 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Read More: I ❤ Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta!
NOTE: The Hot Air Balloon 2014 might be cancelled this year 🙁
23 PANAGBENGA – BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL 2014 |Sunday | Baguio City | Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival which showcases the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers.
#7 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Read More: BAGUIO’s PANAGBENGA Flower Festival
25 EDSA REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY | Tuesday (Every 25th of February)
Special Holiday (for all Schools). Commemorates the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that Filipinos came to known for.
Long Weekend #2: February 22 to Febuary 25 (4 Days)*
Feb 27 – March 3 Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2013 | Thursday to Sunday | Puerto Galera | The festival is held outdoors in a natural amphitheater at the foot of Mount Malasimbo overlooking Puerto Galera Bay, a member of the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World” club.
Read More: Malasimbo Time!
MARCH 2014
1-2 EURO RACECAR NASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP | Saturday – Sunday | Clark Field, Pampanga. The first-ever Euro Racecar NASCAR Championship in Asia!
5 ASH WEDNESDAY | Wednesday | Philippines
The First Day of Lenten Season in the Philippines
25 FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION | Tuesday | (Every 25th of March)
Feast commemorating the announcement of Angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. This is celebrated 9 full months before Christmas.
29 EARTH HOUR 2013 | Saturday 8.30pm-9.30pm | Philippines
Cities and towns all over the world will switch off their lights for one hour—EARTH HOUR—sending a powerful global message that it is possible to take action on global warming.
Read More: Earth Hour 2008 – See The Difference You Can Make
APRIL 2014
7 ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE FEAST DAY | Sunday (Every 7th of April) | Celebration of the feast day of the Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
9 BATAAN DAY (ARAW NG KAGITINGAN) | Wednesday (Every 9th of April) | Regular Holiday. Araw ng Kagitingan
Long Weekend #3: April 17 to April 20 (4 Days)
17 MAUNDY THURSDAY | Thursday | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
18 GOOD FRIDAY | Friday | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
18 MORIONES FESTIVAL | Friday | Marinduque
Re-enact the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ.
18 CUTUD CRUXIFIXIONS | Friday | Pampanga
The old tradition of dramatizing the passion and death of Jesus Christ (called Via Crusis) was played out on the streets leading to the crucifixion site before the 1pm Crucifixion.
#5 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Related Blog Post: Cutud Crucifixions: Good Friday Traditions of San Fernando, Pampanga
19 BLACK SATURDAY | Saturday | Philippines
Special Non Working Day.
20 EASTER SUNDAY | Sunday | Philippines
Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
22 EARTH DAY 2014 | Tuesday (Every 22nd of April) | Philippines
A day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment
27 FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY | Sunday | Plenary Indulgence Divine Mercy Sunday | The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!
Read More: Falling In Love with His Divine Mercy and Now Is The Time Of Mercy
MAY 2014
1 LABOR DAY | Thursday (Every 1st of May) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. National Labor Day!
Long Weekend #4: May 1 to 4 (4 Days)*
11 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! | 2nd Sunday of May | Philippines
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome mothers!
15 PAHIYAS 2014 | Thursday (Every 15th of May) | Lucban, Quezon
An annual celebration held to usher in a bountiful harvest and smashing good times.
#4 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Read More:
- PAHIYAS FESTIVAL: Don’t Miss the FUN in Lucban!
- PAHIYAS: 8 Tips for an Awesome San Isidro Labrador Fiesta!
- Pahiyas, Lucban – 8 Things We Love About Pahiyas
17-19 OBANDO FERTILITY RITES 2014 | Saturday – Monday (Every 17th for St. Paschal, 18th for St. Clare, 19th of May for the Our Lady of Salambao) | Obando, Bulacan
Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child.
28 NATIONAL FLAG DAY | Wednesday (Every 28th of May) | Manila
Start of the designated flag days where all government offices, business establishments, and private homes are also encouraged to display the flag.
JUNE 2014
12 PHILIPPINE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY | Thursday (Every 12th of June)
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the Independence Day of the Philippines from the Spaniards
Long Weekend #5: June 12 to 15 (4 Days)*
14 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! | 3rd Sunday of June
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome fathers!
19 DR. JOSE RIZAL BIRTH ANNIVERSARY | Thursday (Every 19th of June)
24 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST | Tuesday (Every 24th of June) | Feast of St. John the Baptist where it is celebrated with showering people with water
24 PARADA NG LECHON FESTIVAL | Tuesday (Every 24th of June) | Balayan, Batangas. A Lechon Parade celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist in Balayan Batangas
29 PINTADOS/ KASADYAAN FESTIVAL 2014 | Sunday (Every 29th of June) | Tacloban. Feast of the Señor Santo Niño de Leyte
Related Blog Post: Tacloban Fiesta
JULY 2014
11 FEAST DAY OF ST. BENEDICT | Friday (Every 11th day of July)
Celebration of the feast day of the Patron Saint of Europe and the Students, and the Father of Western Monasticism.
26 FEAST DAY OF SAINT ANNE | Saturday (Every 26th of July)
Celebration of the feast day of the Mother of Mama Mary
27 BOHOL SANDUGO FESTIVAL 2014 | Sunday | Tagbilaran, Bohol
This festival commemorates the treaty of friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi, representing the king of Spain.
28 EID’L FITR | Monday| A Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan.
(Note: Calculated date for 2014 pending proclamation)
Long Weekend #6: July 26 to 28 (3 Days)
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA | Thursday (Every 31st of July) | Celebration of the feast day of the Father General of the Jesuits. A 30-day retreat follows the celebration.
AUGUST 2014
15 ASCENCION OF MOTHER MARY INTO HEAVEN | Friday (Every 15th of August)
17 KADAYAWAN SA DABAW 2014 | Sunday | Davao City
This festival gives thanks to the bounty of fruits and flowers as the waling-waling orchid blooms.
#9 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Read More: KADAYAWAN DAVAO: Indak Indak sa Kadalanan (A Photo Essay)
21 NINOY AQUINO DAY | Thursday (Every 21st of August)
Special (non-working) Holiday. Commemorating the Death of Ninoy Aquino
Long Weekend #7: August 21 to 25 (5 Days)*
25 NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY | Last Monday of August
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” by Filipino revolutionaries called the Katipunan
28 KAGAY-AN FESTIVAL – FEAST DAY OF ST. AUGUSTINE | Thursday (Every 28th of August) | Cagayan de Oro City. Feast of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro City
SEPTEMBER 2014
8 MOTHER MARY’S BIRTHDAY | Monday(Every 8th of September)
14 HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY! | Sunday (Every 2nd Sunday of September)
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome grandparents!
14 FEAST OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE HOLY CROSS | Sunday (Every 14th of September)
Public exposition and Veneration of the RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS OF CHRIST at the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastery in Tarlac.
20 PENAFRANCIA VIVA LA VIRGEN 2014 | Saturday (Every 3rd Saturday of September) | Naga City
Bicol Region’s biggest celebration is highlighted by a fluvial parade of Lady of Penafrancia carried through the river aglow with floating candles.
23 FEAST DAY OF PADRE PIO | Tuesday (Every 23th of September)
Feast of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
29 ILIGAN FIESTA – FEAST DAY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL | Monday (Every 29th of September) | Iligan City
Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Celebration in Iligan City
Related Blog Post: The Best of Iligan
OCTOBER 2014
1 THE FEAST OF ST. THERESE OF CHILD JESUS | Wednesday (Every 1st of October). Feast of Saint Therese of the Little Flower.
4 THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI | Saturday (Every 4th of October)
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. Pet blessings are held to celebrate his feast.
4 EIDUL ADHA | Saturday
Muslim Holiday celebrating Abraham’s obedience when he was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. (calculated date for 2014 pending proclamation)
5 WORLD’S TEACHERS DAY | Sunday (Every 5th of October)
Happy Teachers Day to honor the noble profession of teaching.
19 MASSKARA FESTIVAL 2014 | Sunday (3rd Weekend of October) | Bacolod
The festival that made Bacolod famous began as an event to inspire the locals to face the hard times with a smiling face, thus masks with smiling faces are worn by revelers who join the parade.
#6 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
23-27 DIWALI FESTIVAL 2014 | Thursday to Sunday
Indian New Year Festival of Lights
26 LANSONES FESTIVAL 2014 | Sunday (Last Weekend of October) | Camiguin
A grand celebration of the lanzones fruit in the island of Camiguin.
NOVEMBER 2014
1 ALL SAINT’S DAY | Saturday | Special (non-working) Holiday
2 ALL SOUL’S DAY | Sunday
20-23 KERYGMA CONFERENCE 2014 | Thursday to Sunday | Manila | Kerygma Conference | The Biggest Catholic Charismatic Event in the Country
23 HIGANTES FESTIVAL 2014 | Sunday (Every 23rd of November) | Angono, Rizal | Male devotees carry the image of San Clemente in a procession that features parehadoras, clad in colorful garb and wooden shoes, and carrying boat paddles and higantes (giants) 10 feet tall papier mache puppets.
27 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! | Thursday (Every last Thursday of November)
30 BONIFACIO DAY | Sunday (Every 30th of November) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio
DECEMBER 2014
8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION | Monday (Every 8th of December) | HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
13 GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL 2014 | Saturday | San Fernando, Pampanga
A Show-Off of Kapampangan Pride culminated with a display of Giant Lanterns measuring 18 feet in diameter.
#10 in 10 Most Awesome Fiestas of the Philippines
Read More: Giant Lantern Festival – Awesome Lantern Competition, Only in the Philippines!
16 SIMBANG GABI | Tuesday (9 days before Christmas)
Start of early morning vigil 9 days before Christmas
16 OBLATION RUN | Tuesday (Every 16th of December) | University of the Philippines
The annual naked run of the full-pledge members of Alpha Phi Omega society is a tradition that started in 1977 to protest the banning of the movie, “Hubad na Bayani,” which depicted human rights abuses in the martial law era. The date honors their international founding day on December 16th, 1925.
Long Weekend #8: December 24 to 31 (8 Days)*
24 CHRISTMAS EVE | Wednesday (Every 24th of December)
Additional special non-working day (Special non-working day)
25 CHRISTMAS DAY | Thursday (Every 25th of December)
Regular Holiday. Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ. Holy Day of Obligation
26 DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS | Friday
Additional special non-working day (Special non-working day)
30 RIZAL DAY | Tuesday | (Regular Holiday)
Commemorating the Death of Jose Rizal
31 NEW YEAR’S EVE | Wednesday
Last day of the year (Special non-working day)
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
* additional VL is required to complete the long weekend
PS. If you have tips on awesome food and travel destinations, please email me at anton@diaz.ph.