May Festivals | Blog | TravelBook

Midsummer is always one of the most colorful seasons of the year, which is why some of our most vibrant festivals happen during the month of May. Gear up for the festivities lined up around the country this month!

Pahiyas Festival in Lucban, Quezon

The Pahiyas Festival in Quezon is a thanksgiving celebration held on May 15^th every year in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. During the festivities, the townspeople adorn their houses with colorful decorations made of fruits, vegetables, and kiping, a leaf-like wafer made of rice flour and dyed in different colors. Then a procession is held, where the parish priest blesses the harvest displays in front of the houses; the celebration culminates with the awarding of the best-decorated house.

Pulilan Carabao Festival in Pulilan, Bulacan

On May 14 to May 15, carabaos are paraded through the streets of Pulilan in Bulacan in commemoration of the feast day of San Isidro Labrador. The farmers train their carabaos so that during the procession, the carabaos kneel when they pass in front of the church. People hang food and colourful kiping on bamboo poles around the town as the farmers pay tribute to their patron saint. Then, after the parade and the blessing of the animals, a carabao race is held.

Obando Rites in Obando, Bulacan

From May 17 to 19, people flock to Obando, Bulacan to witness and be a part of the Obando Fertility Rites. During the festival, people don traditional garb, sing, and dance in the streets, praying for the intercession of Sta. Clara and San Pascual Baylon, patron saints of childless couples, and Nuestra Señora de Salambao (Our Lady of Salambao). The dancing procession ends inside the church.

Santacruzan Flores de Mayo

The Flores de Mayo is a month-long flower festival held in honor of the Virgin Mary. At the end of the month, communities all over the Philippines hold the Santacruzan or Sagala, a procession that pays tribute to the many forms of the Blessed Virgin and re-enacts the legendary pilgrimage of St. Helena to find the cross of Jesus Christ. Some of the townspeople act as sponsors and oversee the Sagala preparations, while others are chosen to portray certain characters in the parade, giving everyone in the community a chance to participate in the celebration.