Siquijor is known of its fine beaches, falls and scenic views. You can do so many things in the island in one day and find yourself doing another thing the next day because there are still a lot to discover and a lot to experience. Aside from mentioned above, there’s one more thing people shouldn’t miss in this beautiful island – the vibrant and colorful FIESTAS.
A fiesta is a celebration in honor of a certain place’s patron saint. It is a day of feasting, dancing, and merry-making that is deeply ingrained in the Filipino culture. In Siquijor, the fiesta is a highly anticipated event that is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor.
Most fiestas in Siquijor start with a mass, followed by traditional activities such as street parades, performances, dances, sports events, and parties. These events are usually organized by the local government units (LGUs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and are well-planned to ensure that everyone has a great time.
The day before the fiesta is called Vesperas. It is a day of preparation, where the locals decorate the streets and their homes with colorful buntings, streamers, and lanterns. The cooking of food also begins on this day, with some households offering buffet meals to visitors.
One of the highlights of a Siquijor fiesta is the street parade. The parade usually consists of LGUs and NGOs, schools’ drum and lyre band, and festival dance contingents. Festival dances are cultural dances performed by locals in honor of the patron saint or in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.
Another must-see event during a Siquijor fiesta is the “bayle” or dance party. This is where everyone, young and old alike, gathers in a designated area such as a basketball court or a capital square to dance to lively music. It is a time for people to let loose, have fun, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Siquijor celebrates several festivals throughout the year, each with its unique theme and activities. The Dilaab Festival, held in the island’s capital town, is perhaps the most well-known. The festival is named after the island’s mystic fireflies, locally known as “dilaab,” which are said to come out during the festival’s nighttime activities. The festival features street dancing, cultural shows, and a grand parade showcasing the island’s rich culture and history.
Other festivals celebrated in Siquijor include the Bugwas Festival in San Juan, which celebrates the town’s abundant marine resources; the Saging Festival in Lazi, which highlights the town’s banana plantations; the Lubi Festival in Maria, which showcases the town’s coconut plantations; the Pamukad Festival in Enrique Villanueva, which is a celebration of the town’s patron saint; and the Canoan Festival in Larena, which is a tribute to the town’s seafaring heritage.
In conclusion, a fiesta is an essential part of the Filipino culture, and experiencing one in Siquijor is an unforgettable experience. From the colorful street parades to the lively dance parties, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So, if you ever find yourself in Siquijor, make sure to mark your calendar and join in the fun of the island’s vibrant fiestas.
Below is the list of Festivals in Siquijor and when it is celebrated:
- Dilaab Festival (Siquijor) * October 3 – 4
- Bugwas Festival (San Juan) * August 27 – 28
- Saging Festival (Lazi) * May 14 – 15
- Lubi Festival (Maria) * May 20 – 21
- Pamukad Festival (Enrique Villanueva) * July 15 – 16
- Canoan Festival (Larena) * May 2 – 3
Fiesta Celebrations Around Siquijor Island
| Municipality | Barangay | Main Fiesta | Segunda Devoto |
| Siquijor | October 3-4 | ||
| Sabang | August 15-16 | ||
| Luyang | August 15 – 16 | ||
| Cang-Agong | April 14-15 | ||
| Banban | August 15-16 | ||
| Pili | August 15-16 | ||
| Canghunoghunog | May 14-15 | ||
| Luzong | September 26 | ||
| Olo | August 15-16 | May 13 | |
| Tacloban | August 15-16 | ||
| Cantabon | June 12-13 | December 30 | |
| Cangmatnog | September 26 | ||
| Cang-atuyom | September 9-10 | ||
| Cang-asa | September 9-10 | ||
| Ponong | Septmeber 29 | ||
| Tebjong | 2nd Sunday in Nov. | ||
| San Antonio | June 12-13 | ||
| Cang-inte | May 14-15 | ||
| Cang-isad | January 23-24 | ||
| Tacdog | October 3-4 | May 2-3 | |
| Pulangyuta | October 3-4 | 1st Saturday in Sept. | |
| Ibabao | January 24 | ||
| Lambojon | September 9-10 | ||
| Cangmohao | October 3-4 | February 11 | |
| Songculan | October 3-4 | ||
| Cang-adieng | September 26-27 | ||
| Bolos | October 3-4 | Last Saturday in May | |
| Caipilan | May 14-15 | ||
| Tambisan | Deccember 17-18 | ||
| Pasihagon | January 14-15 | June 17-18 | |
| Cang-alwang | January 14-15 | ||
| Tongo | January 14-15 | ||
| Tinago | January 14-15 | ||
| Caticugan | January 14-15 | September 13 | |
| Dumanhog | October 3-4 | January 5-6 | |
| Calalinan | October 3-4 | April 14-15 | |
| Canal | October 3-4 | Last Saturday in Nov. | |
| Poblacion | October 3-4 | ||
| Pangi | October 3-4 | May 6-7 | |
| Candanay Sur | October 3-4 | April 29 | |
| Candanay Norte | October 3-4 | March 18-19 | |
| Caitican | October 3-4 | Last Saturday in May | |
| Panlautan | January 23-24 | ||
| Larena | May 2-3 | ||
| Nonoc | May 2-3 | ||
| Cangbagsa | May 2-3 | January 14-15 | |
| Poblacion Sur | May 2-3 | ||
| Poblacion Norte | May 2-3 | ||
| Helen | May 2-3 | ||
| Bagacay | May 2-3 | ||
| Canlambo | May 2-3 | ||
| Taculing | May 21-22 | ||
| Cangmalalag | June 29 | ||
| Sandugan | June 29 | ||
| Cabulihan | May 15-16 | ||
| Ponong | Oct 11-12 | ||
| Balolang | March 18-19 | ||
| Canlasog | January 14-15 | ||
| Bontod | May 2-3 | ||
| Calunasan | November 27-28 | ||
| Bintangan | November 27-28 | ||
| Basac | November 27-28 | ||
| Catamboan | November 27-28 | ||
| Cang-apa | November 1 | June 13 | |
| Candigum | January 9-10 | ||
| Sabang | May 2-3 | ||
| Cang-allas | May 2-3 | ||
| Enrique Villanueva | July 15 – 16 | ||
| Bitaug | August 15-16 | ||
| Lomangcapan | July 15-16 | ||
| Tulapos | July 15-16 | May 3 | |
| Poblacion | July 15-16 | ||
| Mananao | October 12 | ||
| Bolot | July 15-16 | ||
| Bino-ongan | July 15-16 | ||
| Camogao | July 15-16 | August 30 | |
| Balolong | March 18-19 | ||
| Parian | July 15-16 | ||
| Olave | July 15-16 | September 10 | |
| Cangmangki | July 15-16 | ||
| Lotloton | July 15-16 | ||
| Maria | May 23-24 | ||
| Bogo | May 24 | ||
| Olang | May 24 | ||
| Poblacion Norte | May 24 | ||
| Poblacion Sur | May 24 | ||
| Looc | May 24 | ||
| Cantaroc A | May 24 | ||
| Cantaroc B | May 24 | ||
| Sawang | May 24 | ||
| Candaping A | May 24 | ||
| Candaping B | December 12 | ||
| Nabutay | November 25 | ||
| Liloan | March 19 | ||
| Minalunan | January 15 | ||
| Saguing | January 15 | ||
| Logucan | September 10 | ||
| Cangtugbas | May 24 | ||
| Calunasan | December 8 | ||
| Pisong A | May 24 | ||
| Pisong B | May 3 | ||
| Cabal-asan | February 11 | ||
| Bonga | August 15 | ||
| Licoan | August 15 | ||
| Lazi | May 14-15 | ||
| Simacolong | December 8 | ||
| Tigbawan | May 14-15 | 2nd Sunday of Jan. | |
| Catamboan | May 14-15 | June 27 | |
| Gabayan | June 24 | ||
| Talayong | October 7 | ||
| Lower Cabangcalan | October 7 | ||
| Upper Cabangcalan | December 4 | ||
| Campalanas | December 4 | June 10 | |
| Ytaya | December 4 | ||
| Tignao | September 20 | ||
| Kinamandagan | October 20 | ||
| Cangclaran | May 15 | ||
| Kimba | November 20 | ||
| Po-o | November 17 | ||
| Cangomantong | February 11 | ||
| Capalasanan | January 3 | ||
| Tagmanocan | May 15 | ||
| Nagerong | September 10 | ||
| San Juan | August 27 – 28 | ||
| Tambisan | December 18 | ||
| Paliton | April 25 | ||
| Solangon | August 28 | October 7 | |
| Lala-o | August 28 | May 3 | |
| Poblacion | August 28 | June 24 | |
| Maite | August 28 | December 8 | |
| Tubod | March 19 | ||
| Tag-ibo | February 11 | ||
| Can-asagan | August 28 | ||
| Candura | April 5 | ||
| Cansayang | April 5 | ||
| Napo | May 16 | ||
| Catulayan | October 13 | ||
| Timbaon | September 29 | ||
| Cangmunag | September 8 |
