The first months of the year is a very festive season in Iloilo with major fiestas and festivals livening up the new year and it doesn’t end with the Dinagyang Festival. In February, there are still at least three grand celebrations coming up that is sure to make your stay in Iloilo a memorable one.
Jaro Grand Fiesta 2010
The annual fiesta of the district of Jaro, Iloilo City is a grand event scheduled every 2nd of February. People from all over Iloilo would visit the Jaro Cathedral to honor Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (Lady of Candles), the patron saint of Jaro. The highlight of the fiesta is a grand parade led by the young women of the elite Jaro families and followed by the blessed Mother Mary in her several personas.
Iloilo Chinese New Year 2010
A very festive Chinese New Year celebration is held in Iloilo, which holds the distinction of having one of the largest concentration of “Tsinoys” or Filipinos with Chinese ancestry or descent in the country. This year, the Iloilo Chinese New Year will be held on February 12, 2010. The Chinese parade will start from the Capitol grounds and end in the Freedom Grandstand, where a program will start at 4pm. The Chinese New Year program at the Freedom Grandstand will feature cultural shows, a food festival, and a grand fireworks display.
Paraw Regatta Festival 2010
The Paraw regatta is a race among seafarers on colorful sailboats called Paraws in the straits between Guimaras Island and the City of Iloilo. The first race started in 1973 with the mission to preserve the historic value of the paraws. Today, the event has grown from being a boat race to a festival with various interesting and exciting activities like the Pinta Paraw and the Samba de Regatta Dance Competition. The Paraw Regatta Festival 2010 will be held on February 14 to 21, 2010.
Salakayan Festival of Miagao 2010
The Salakayan festival of Miagao is held every first week of February. Salakayan, coined from a Hiligaynon term “salakay” or to “attack” is a street dance-drama that merges arts, lore and customs of the town.
12 February
I miss iloilo a lot, most especially the dinagyang festivals……the foods and other festive occasions that iloilo celebrate the whiole year round………:-)
I am loving Ilo-Ilo City a LOT… :) Nice Place… Delicious Foods and Friendly People…
Got the chance to catch up with Jaro fiesta before heading back to Canada Feb5.