January in the Philippines is marked by many festivities and celebrations. The celebrations in the first month of the year mark the end of the Christmas season and signal the start of a new year. Philippine tourism is strong in January due in part to the many festivities that foreign and Filipino tourists can enjoy. Traveling to the Philippines in January is also a popular choice because the country will be experiencing a dry, cool season, which is a refreshing departure from the usually hot tropical climate.
If you are planning to take a tour around the Philippines in January, there are a few things you need to know. January is a busy month for Philippine tourism, and you need all the preparation you can get so you and your family have a blast on your trip. Here is everything you need to know about January in the Philippines.
January in the Philippines is a unique experience that leaves visitors crestfallen by the end of it. Every day, towns and villages put together festivals to celebrate something special – from celebrating a town’s patron saint to honoring a local community’s art form, to paying homage to the country’s many species of wildlife.
No matter where one goes, they will be treated to colorful displays of costumes and streets filled with bright lights and deafening music. There is always a band playing or a performance involving dancing and matching costumes which makes January quite an unforgettable month! It is no surprise that Filipinos like to start the year with such energy as they treat each new beginning as an opportunity to keep their culture alive through celebration.
Most of the religious and cultural festival center around the Sto. Niño, or the image of the Child Jesus. But festivities are not limited to church ceremonies. You can also expect street dancing, colorful costumes, parades, and street parties from dawn til dusk.
There are various celebrations to partake in throughout the month of January in the Philippines. A trip in January is also an excellent idea if you want to avoid crowds and have a more relaxing vacation. The weather permits a refreshing stay at the beach. It’s perfect because it won’t be too hot, but you still get the relaxed and sunny tropical vacation of your dreams. Going on hiking trails are also a good activity in January, as the cooler weather will make your hike more manageable.
Choose from any of the beaches in Davao, Cebu, or Palawan for a tropical getaway. Or if you prefer to maximize the cool January weather, plan a trip to Crosswinds Tagaytay for a Swiss-themed vacation in the Philippines.
As mentioned, there are several Philippine festivals celebrated in January. Most of them are celebrated in honor of the Sto. Niño, or the image of the Child Jesus. Most festivals are local in nature but have grown nationwide and worldwide popularity. Here is a list of the most popular Philippine festivals in January.
The feast of the Black Nazarene is celebrated on January 9 at Quiapo, Manila. The Black Nazarene, or Mahal na Poong Nazareno, is one of the country’s most venerated religious images. It is located in Quiapo Church or the Basilica Minore of the Black Nazarene in Metro Manila.
The highlight of this solemn religious celebration is the annual Translacion. During this procession, the statue of the Black Nazarene is brought out in a procession. Thousands of devotees join the procession, with many devotees clamoring to touch the statue.
For January 2023, Quiapo Church officials have announced that there won’t be a Translacion in light of the ongoing pandemic. However, they have organized a series of activities that devotees can participate in instead. On January 8, Black Nazarene devotees can participate in a Walk of Faith. While the statue will not be part of this event, participants may bring their personal replicas during the procession. Livestreaming of the Masses in Quiapo Church will still continue.
Ati Atihan Festival is held in honor of the Santo Niño in many towns of Aklan. It is a weeklong celebration, with the peak on the third Sunday of January. The biggest celebration on the third Sunday of the month is held in Kalibo, the provincial capital.
Although Ati Atihan had native animist origins, Spanish Catholic missionaries introduced Christian elements to the festivities to make it easier for natives to accept Catholicism.
Today, Ati Atihan is a grand celebration with weeklong festivities. The people celebrate with street parades, colorful costumes, marching bands, themed floats, and body paint. The traditional street dancing parade is called Sadsad, where the foot is dragged on the ground in tune to the beat of the marching band.
Make your Boracay trip special by scheduling it around Ati Atihan and experiencing a unique Philippine festival. You can check the schedule of events on the official Kalibo Ati Atihan Festival website.
Sinulog is one of the most well-known festivals in the country. Sinulog is celebrated annually in Cebu on the third Sunday of January. It honors Santo Niño, the patron of the City of Cebu, and is widely accepted as the center of Santo Niño Catholic celebrations in the country.
The term Sinulog comes from the Cebuano term sulog, which refers to the movement of water current. This movement is reflected in the traditional Sinulog dance consisting of two steps forward and one step back done to the beat of the drums.
The dance was originally part of a pagan ritual but transformed into a religious one upon the introduction of Christianity to the region. The statue of the Santo Niño de Cebu is considered one of the oldest Catholic relics in the Philippines, along with Magellan’s Cross, which is housed just outside the Basilica.
Sinulog festive activities include a 9-day novena and Mass. After the more solemn aspects of the festival, the street dancing competition starts. Dancing and drumbeats can be heard across the city. Millions of tourists flock to the streets of Cebu and indulge in good food, music, and street parties.
In January 2023, Sinulog activities will return. These include Walk with Mary, Translacion to Lapu-Lapu City, Fluvial Parade, and Feast Day activities. The main event will be held for the first time on South Road Properties (SRP) instead of the previous parade routes within the main city streets.
The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of January. It is a cultural and religious festival held in honor of the Santo Niño and in remembrance of a contract between the Datus and the villagers.
“Dinagyang” originates from a Hiligaynon word, “dagyang,” which means merrymaking. As a festival centered on merrymaking, it is celebrated through dancing, live drum music, colorful costumes, and energetic chants of “Hala Bira.” This festival also highlights the cultural heritage of Iloilo.
Dinagyang Festival activities are divided into three categories: Miss Iloilo Dinagyang, Dagyang sa Calle Real, and the main part of the festival, which is the Ati Tribe Competition.
The Ati Tribe Competition consists of warrior dancers who hold a spear and shield while they dance in choreographed formations to live drum beats. There is also chanting involved. It is a lively celebration full of color and energy.
The Januany 2023 iteration of Dinagyang Festival introduces a new competition: Dinagyang Ilomination. This new event will focus on tribes’ performances and the use of costumes and props that light up. Celebrations for Dinagyang 2023 will run from January 16 to 22.
The Philippines celebrates many festivals in January, welcoming the year by honoring Catholic traditions and organizing live events. January is a good month to travel across the Philippines if you want to experience more of the unique festival culture of each region. There are celebrations every week in January, and you have to pick your destination.
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