Iloilo Festival Capital of Western Visayas

Adaptation from - Office of culture, arts, history and tourism, Iloilo Province

ILOILO presents a cultural collection through festivals and celebrations. These traditional festive occasions have their roots in Spanish festivals but have undergone dramatic changes as they mixed with local customs. Traditional dances, dresses and unwavering enthusiasm are the characteristics of all the festival in Iloilo. Cuisine, local produce, cultural and traditional performances and music and interesting folklores give the Ilonggo festivals their universal appeal. The vibrant colors, warm hospitality and infectious buoyant spirit of the Ilonggos attract people from all over the world to take part in the Ilonggo fairs and festivals.

Iloilo province was hailed as the Festival Capital of Western Visayas. With it's rich culture, history and traditions I'm so proud to be called as Ilongga.
 
JANUARY

Binanog Festival

2nd Sunday of January
Municipality of Lambunao
3rd District, Province of Iloilo

One of the most highly developed arts of Lambunao culture, the Binanog dance is an integral part of the customs and traditions of the Bukidnons of Lambunao. The dance can be a mode of worship, or a courtly pastime. With urbanization contributing to the decline in the art, a program for its revival was launched with the creation of the Binanog Festival.

The gem of the exhibition is the tribe competition highlights the mating of banog birds accompanied by the symbolic beating of the gong, synchronizing with the vibrant movement emphasizing footwork and speed. The dance reaches its climax as the female dancer catches her male partner using her handkerchief.








Pasungay (Bull Fighting)
3rd Week of January
Municipality of San Joaquin
1st District, Province of Iloilo
 
The Municipality of San Joaquin continues to attract local and foreign tourists with their annual Pasungay or 'bull fighting" festival. The spectacle involving conflict between two bulls fought in an outdoor arena is part of the town's festival tradition and has become a popular spectator sport in this part of the region. Take part in the drama and comedy, triumph and tragedy. Be  mesmerized  with the tenacious strength of their bulls.


Sinadya sang mga Banwa (Festival of Towns)
3rd Weekend of January
Iloilo Provincial Capitol Grounds
Iloilo City

As a provincial counterpart in the celebration of Dinagyang Festival, the Iloilo Provincial Government through the Iloilo Tourism Officer Association (ITOA) organizes a 3-day affair that features the finest talents in the province in terms of music and dance. The event annually attracts people crowding into several food tents filling-up the capitol car park to socialize and listen to live music. Outstanding is the much-anticipated inter-municipal ballroom dancing competition.


Kasadyahan Festival
Last Saturday of January
Iloilo City

 
 Happening on the Saturday of the Dinagyang celebration, Kasadyahan is also a street parade where tribes perform in judging areas. However, the tribes performing in the Kasadyahan are given a freehand with regards to concepts and interpretation. It has a more varied theme, usually portraying slices of local history. The presentation is mostly theatrical and is participated by various towns showcasing the  different festivals of Iloilo Province. Here, performers are not required to paint themselves in black and can wear any costume they want depending on their concept, and music is not only limited in the use of drums.