It’s no secret that Filipinos love a good party. So, it isn’t surprising that grand festivals are deeply ingrained in our culture. In fact, the Philippines is renowned for captivating celebrations like the Masskara and Sinulog Festivals, with millions of Filipino and foreign festival goers flying in to join the festivities.
While many festivals in the Philippines require people coming from other places to travel by plane, there are actually a handful of exciting festivals that you can get to by car when coming from Metro Manila. If you’re in the mood to experience an authentic cultural fiesta this August, pack your bags, hop in your car, and make your way to the following festivals:
Gigantes – Lucban, Quezon
The Gigantes Festival takes place every year on August 19th in the charming town of Lucban, Quezon. During the festivities, locals will showcase their handmade gigantes, or giants, in colorful costumes. These paper mache giants are carried on the shoulders of those who have made an oath as a way of expressing their gratitude for a favor received. Participants perform dance exhibitions alongside a marching band. The festival ends with a literal bang as a paper mache bull laden with firecrackers runs around the town plaza.
Pasa-Pasa Ikaw Festival – Pasacao, Camarines Sur
The Pasa-Pasa Ikaw Festival is celebrated every August 25 to 30 and is held in honor of St. Rose of Lima, the patron saint of Pasacao. The festival also showcases the town’s cultural heritage as a key contributor to the development of Camarines Sur due to Pasacao Port, the only sea transportation link to Manila during the 16th Century. The festival is highlighted by the Grand Civic Parade on August 29.
Tsinelas Festival – Gapan, Nueva Ecija
The Tsinelas Festival in Gapan, Nueva Ecija honors the humble tsinelas or slippers/flip-flops, which is one of the city’s most important products. In fact, Gapan is often touted as the Tsinelas Capital of the Philippines as the slippers produced here are shipped throughout the country. The festival also coincides with the anniversary of Gapan’s cityhood. The Tsinelas Festival is held every August 6 to 25.
Ibalong Festival – Legazpi City, Albay
The Ibalong Festival in Legazpi City, Albay is a celebratory tribute to the Ibalong Epic, a narrative depicting the mythical origins of Bicol. Here, people don masks and costumes that imitate the heroes and villains of the epic and parade down the streets. Visitors can also participate in a wide range of exciting contests, concerts, cultural presentations, flea markets, and more. The festival is held annually from August 12-30.
Don’t forget to pack a pocket WiFi
A pocket WiFi is crucial for any trip, particularly when driving to a destination for the first time, as it allows access to navigation apps like Waze and Google Maps. Smart Bro’s LTE-Advanced Pocket WiFi is an excellent option for traveling families, offering upgraded speeds of up to 100 Mbps and supporting up to 3 devices.
As a limited-time offer, Smart is also providing a complimentary car charger to keep your pocket WiFi device powered up as you travel to these amazing destinations.
No matter which festival you’re driving to this August, each and every one of these celebrations is sure to give you a great time and many unforgettable memories.
