It is really fun in the Philippines when Filipinos surprise by various festivities in different places. This is one way of showing the meaningful, intense, and passionate ways to celebrate the honored heritage, traditions, and culture. They are celebrating the special moments together as a family in their community. People give their 100 % participation in festivals because it inspires them to reminisce about the greatest event that had happened in history, which came to be one of the factors that founded the structure of a person’s social life, and the belief that connects us. The most interesting part is that festivals preserve the connection from the exact event and of the people from the past, to the people of the present, and the future generations as well. Exciting isn’t it? So, here are the most awaited festivals in the Philippines in May 2022.
These are the festivals that are ongoing and most awaited in May 2022 Philippines:
1. Alinao Festival on April 27 – May 8, 2022
Do you want to witness the customs, traditions and cultural settings, and wonderful arts of Mainaonos? You know, the very word “Alinao” which means “malinaw” in Tagalog and “clear” in English, symbolizes that the clear water came from is the amazing Vera Falls. Alinao festival is the yearly tribute to the lost tree of Alinao in the Mountains of Malinao. This festival is anchored to the awareness of environmental preservation and also, tourism promotion.
Together with the environmental and tourism promotion, the people take part in honoring their patron saints, the parents of the Blessed Mother, St. Joachim, and St. Anne.
You will witness the highlight of the eye-catching colorful street dancing and other activities prepared just for you by the Mainaonos. It started last April 27, 2022, until May 8, 2022, in Malinao Albay.
2. Bantayog Festivals on April 2 – May 6, 2022
The word “Bantayog” means monument in English. This festival is a meaningful tribute to the Filipinos heroes who have suffered and given their lives for their country for the better life of the Filipino people of today, like Dr. Jose Rizal who is one of them. He uses his pen and paper as a weapon to showcase exceptional dignity in the life of Filipinos. Every Filipino hero has had their contribution to the Philippines, especially during the Spanish era and World War II.
The Bantayog festival is a sign of respect and honor for the courage of the Filipino heroes. It started on April 2 to May 6 in Camarines Norte.
3. Layag Festival on May 22 – 27, 2022
Layag festival is a journey of the faith of the people. “Layag” is a Filipino word that is a sailboat in English. Sailing is the traditional transportation in the town of Rapu Rapu Albay that improved the life of the people and their hometown. It is a faith journey because, by faith, the people sail to find shelter, food, and livelihood. It is by faith that the water will provide them with what they need.
Together with this festival is the feast of Our lady of Peñafrancia, for which they give thanks and to pay homage to the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary.
Layag festival is one of the most meaningful festivals in May which will be celebrated on May 22-27 in Rapu Rapu Albay.
4. Kaogma Festival on May 21 – 27, 2022
Are you fond of spices? Are you fond of spicy delicacies? This month of May will burn its hottest because of this festival! It is known as “Kaogma Mardi Gras” or The World’s hottest festival. Camarines Sur will give you the hottest very chili peppers with its partner coconut milk. This region is blessed with an abundance of spices which makes it mega extra special.
With its theme, there are energetic and colorful activities that you will love to see and join! What you only need for this festival is your highest adrenaline-like everybody.
Watch out for the hottest festival in the world with a weekly celebration on May 21-27, 2022 in Camarines Sur!
5. Palong Festival on May 11 – 13, 2022
“Palong” in English is the fleshy red crest that grows on top of the head of the rooster. “Palong” festival signifies how the people would like to express their gratefulness for their livelihood because of the abundance of roosters in their town.
This long celebration occurs on their feast day of the Black Nazarene on May 13. Palong festival will take place on May 11-13, 2022 in Capalonga, Camarines Norte.
6. Alinsangan “Bowa-bowahan” Festival on May 1-2, 2022
Enrich with the bountiful harvest, Bowa-bowahan festival is a thanksgiving of coconuts, people will wear colorful costumes and participate in simultaneous and awe-inspiring performances. “Alinsangan” is a native word that describes the characteristic of living of the early people settlers of the town, which survived and had given praise to the pagan gods.
Alisangan “bowa-bowahan” is a way of showing fertility and thanksgiving. See the colorful performance as a way of the town’s participation in the blessed life they have had on May 1-2, 2022 in Nabua, Camarines Sur.
7. Abaca Festival May 27-31 Catanduanes
Do you want to immerse in the life and resilient spirit of the Catandunganon? At the Abaca festival, you will see how exotic, unique, and rich the culture, island, as well as their people, are. One of the high spots of this festival is giving and boasting their prized fiber which emphasizes the Catanduanes’ main product for handicrafts.
You know, these fibers of Abaca can design handicrafts, such as hats, bags, shoes, slippers, furniture, and even clothing.
This is the moment that you are reminded of how rich our land is, and how talented our people are. This is the time to be patronized and be proud of our own! Abaca festival will showcase its richness on May 27-31, 2022 in Catanduanes.
8. Sarung Banggi Festival May 19 – 27 Sto. Domingo Albay
Sarung Banggi is an immortal love song by Potenciano Gregorio who was born in Sto. Domingo Albay when he was 17 years old. This song is Bicol’s love ballad. “Sarung Banggi” in English means one night. In Philstar Global it stated that the song talks about an enchanted evening encounter between a lovestruck man and a lovely provincial lass.
The people in Sto. Domingo Albay celebrated the Sarung Banggi festival with dazzling dancing lights where each barangay will present a meaningful interpretation of the love ballad, Sarung Banggi. Followed by a cultural presentation parade with Spanish costumes and preceding the talent of Potenciano Gregorio, there is a venue for an amateur composer’s competition.
Fall in love with Sarung Banggi festival on May 19-27, 2022 at Sto. Domingo Albay.
9. Butanding Festival May 17 – 24 Donsol Sorsogon
It is with the greatest pleasure and blessing to the people of Sorsogon that whale sharks or Butandings visit them during March, April, and May every year. This is an extraordinary experience because the people in town and even the tourists get to interact with these huge fish in the world. They can see them closely and even swim with these friendly and gentle Butandings in Donsol Sorsogon.
Butanding festival also known as Arribada festival is an expression of welcoming the Butandings in Donsol. This is a thanksgiving for what Butandings have done to their way of living.
Isn’t this an interesting adventure? Join the people of Donsol in participating in Butanding Arribada festival on May 17-24, 2022!
Festivals are great opportunities in the land of the Philippines to encourage collaboration, communication, and creativity of Filipinos. These are the moments where Filipinos and tourists experience the connection of unity and the spirit of being a Filipino. Come, join and have fun with the May 2022 festivals in the Philippines!
Written by: Jane A. Lansang
