Festivals are considered a primary engine for driving the tourism industry aside from the country’s unspoiled beaches and other man-made and natural attractions. These colorful events are magnets to local and foreign travelers who are often awed by the way people celebrate festivals with high energy and much enthusiasm.

Here is a list of some of the grandest and exquisite festivals in the country.

Sinulog Festival

Sinulog Festival is the pride of Cebu City. Celebrated on the third Sunday of January, this colorful event is a way of the province’s thanksgiving to the child Jesus. The Sinulog Festival, which usually lasts for nine days, features a street parade wherein participants dressed in bright costumes dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets, and native gongs.

Panagbenga Festival

Every February Baguio City, the “Summer Capital of the Philippines,” stages a month-long flower festival called Panagbenga. One of the highly anticipated events during the festival is a parade of floats decorated with colorful flowers. It is patterned after the world-renowned Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Moriones Festival

Moriones Festival is one of the most colorful religious events in the Philippines. Held during the Holy Week in Marinduque, the festival is highlighted by a parade participated in by people wearing colorful masks and garbs replicating that of the biblical Roman soldiers. A similar celebrated is held in Valencia, Spain, in April.

Pahiyas Festival

The spotlight shifts to Lucban, Quezon, every 15th day of May, when this second-class municipality hosts the Pahiyas Festival. On this day, a street of houses is adorned with various agricultural produce and colorful rice ornaments called kiping. Pahiyas Festival is held in honor of St. Isodore, the patron saint of farmers.

Kadayawan Festival

Kadayawan Festival in Davao City is a celebration of good harvest. Held every third week of August, local folks go out on the streets and celebrate a bountiful yield in various ways, such street dancing competitions, parades of decorated floats, and power boat races. Trade fairs, flower shows, exhibits, and horse fight competitions are lined up during the weeklong festival.

There are other notable festivals that tourists must not miss out. Usually the golden months of Philippine festivals are January, April, May, and December. That’s why it is advised to place your reservations to hotels and resorts for your preferred accommodations and vacation packages in advance.

Local Philippines is your travel buddy. We have information about the destinations, how to get there, what to do while in the area and more! Destinations in the beaches or in the mountains, destinations under water, destinations right at the middle of the urban hub, name it and Local Philippines will most likely feature it.

The convenience of Philippine online shopping will convince you that you have found the best way to shop. First of all, type your request in a search engine. This will give you a large selection of sites that offer the products you desire. As you find sites that suit your purposes, save them to your “Favorites” folder for future use.

As you shop, check on shipping costs on each site. Many sites offer shipping discounts on large orders. Others have special rates on second orders. Compare shipping costs at different sites to get the best overall price and enjoy affordable Philippine online shopping. This will give you the convenience of home delivery at whatever destination you choose.

Online Stores

There are many online malls geared toward Philippine online shopping. These sites often have multiple dealers and a wide selection of products. They would be convenient if you want to do all your shopping in one place. Some sites offer products at wholesale prices. To find cheap electronics such as cell phones, iPods, a flat TV, look at the discount sites.

For personal gifts or gifts for the home, you will find an enormous selection for Philippine online shopping at Internet malls. There is even karaoke made in Korea to bring you the music you love. Sound tracks are available that give you the original versions so you can sing along with the music. Gifts for the home are abundant, with many handcrafts made from native natural resources.

Unique Gifts

There are unlimited choices for your purchases. You can send flowers on a special day, buy toys for Christmas, or even choose a special book for someone you know. You can also shop for computers, cheap electronics, digital cameras, appliances, DVDs, video games and jewelry. Also, you will find unique and hard-to-find items that are not typically available in retail stores. Philippine online shopping brings your culture to you and gives you the opportunity to expand your interests and enjoy your favorite things as well.

When you want to remind someone of his or her beloved homeland, or family far away, send a pasalubong, or souvenir. This will show them how you honor and cherish them in your heart. Send them a well-chosen gift that will also send a special message to them. Have your gifts sent right to their door – no matter the location.

Try Philippine Online Shopping

Philippine online shopping brings all the best to you. It is more convenient and less stressful than looking in multiple stores. It will also give you a broad scope of products to choose from at low prices. In the comfort of your home or office, you will be able to access the best prices and selection that can be found on the Web!

If you’re looking for a lighter dessert, Filipino pastries may be just what you need. Our native pastries cover everything from small bite-size tarts to tropical fruit pies. They may seem complicated at first glance, but they are actually one of the easiest Filipino food recipes. In fact, if you’re just starting out, pastries make a great beginner recipe. Beat the egg whites until stiff, then beat in the white sugar. Set aside. In a saucepan, combine the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour into baked pastry shells. Top with the egg white mixture and bake for about 10 minutes or until the meringue turns brown.

Puto a steamed cake made from rice flour, often topped with cheese or salted eggs. It is often sold with kutsinta, a brown jelly cake served with grated coconut. The two go together because the soft, grainy texture of the puto contrasts the tart smoothness of kutsinta. Both are among the simplest Filipino recipes; you can make a batch of each cake in less than two hours. Combine all the ingredients except the egg whites. Mix well and let stand for one hour, then fold in the eggs. Pour into baking pan or muffin pans and steam for about one hour.

Bibingka is actually an Indian dish, but the Filipino variety is unique because it uses rice flour instead of white. It also comes with a variety of toppings such as butter or margarine, cheese, salted eggs, or grated coconuts. Bibingka is a popular snack in the Christmas season, where it is often sold with puto bumbong and other Filipino cooking recipes. It is traditionally cooked in charcoal ovens, which gives it a smoky flavor. Preheat your oven to 375oF. In a bowl, dissolve the sugar in coconut milks and add in the eggs. In a separate bow, sift the flour, add the baking powder and salt, then sift again. Combine with the egg mixture and beat well. Pour into prepared pans and bake for about 15 minutes. Top with cheese and resume baking for another 20 minutes, brushing with margarine occasionally. Give it a final brush when done, and serve with coconut on the side.

Frequently they would build an extension wing to the original house and the grandmother is once again taking care of kids – this time her grand children. They eat meals together, or in cases where families cook separately, they still knock on each other’s door and share their meals. Mealtimes, especially dinner is very rarely a formal setting. In fact, it s a pleasant get-together for the whole family as they swap stories about the day’s events. In a typical Filipino family, the women are brought up with the tradition that when they marry, their husbands will take care of them and they will stay as housewives and take care of the family and the children. Times are changing though as more women found independence and satisfaction in working and earning their own money.

Filipino families have high regard for integrity, dignity, honor. They show high respect for the their parents and the elderly. Children do not call their parents by their first names like western countries because for them, this shows lack of respect. Fathers are commonly called Daddy, Papa, Tatang, and Tatay while mothers are called Mommy, Mama, Nanang and Nanay. Probably nine out of 10 Filipinos would not think of sending their aged parents or even grandparents to any institution to be cared for by strangers. You must know that you have more fingers in your hands than there are homes for the aged in the Philippines. The moment you say the heavily loaded words “I do” in front of the judge or the priest, you must understand that you are not marrying only the “perfect Filipina bride” for you but you are taking a whole package for life. Do not be surprised that right after your wedding you have earned yourself 2,000 new relatives whom you do not know. Strange children will kiss your hand and call you uncle, while adults may shake your hand or pat your arm and welcome you into the family.

1. Mangoes

The ubiquitous national symbol of the Philippines, the mango is known for its sweet, tart flavor and juicy flesh. Guimaras mangoes are said to be the sweetest in the world, although the Davao and Zambales varieties are in close contention. If you’re not into sweets, green mangoes might be more to your tastes. Filipinos are the only people who eat mangoes raw-usually with bagoong (shrimp paste), salt, or sugar.

2. Bananas

Philippine bananas can be eaten by themselves or used in cooking, usually for snacks (turon and banana cue) or Filipino desserts recipes (banana cake, pancakes). There are several varieties, from the finger-sized senoritas to the large, spotted Cavendish. The saba bananas, more correctly called plantains, are thicker and often used with soups and meat dishes.

3. Pineapples

Like mangoes, Philippine pineapples are unrivaled when it comes to taste and quality. They’re said to be infinitely sweeter than Hawaiian or Australian pineapples, which are more popular outside the country. While it’s generally sold neatly peeled and sliced, Filipinos consider it a waste of perfectly good flesh. What they do is peel it as thinly as possible and painstakingly take out each ‘eye,’ so that all of the flesh stays intact.

4. Papaya

This is one of the most widely grown fruits in the country; many people even have trees in their own backyards. Although not as sweet as mangoes or bananas, they’re one of the old-time favorites simply because they’re there all year. Ripe papayas are best eaten fresh and chilled, while semi-ripe ones are often sold with a salt and vinegar dip. Raw green ones are used in many Filipino food recipes, such as tinola (chicken stew) and atsara (pickled salad).

5. Langka

Langka or jackfruit is far from inviting on the outside, with its large, irregular body (it’s the largest tree-grown fruit in the world) and its thick, spiky shell. Outside Asia, it’s usually sold canned and in syrup, but most locals will tell you it’s best eaten fresh. The flesh is sweet and chewy, and the seeds are soft and slightly sticky. Langka seeds are used in many Filipino recipes, often cooked in coconut milk and mixed with meat, vegetables or other spices.

6. Coconut

People like to joke that no part of the coconut tree goes to waste, from the roots to the tips of the leaves. But the fruit is no doubt the most versatile part of all-you can eat it fresh, drink its juice, recycle the husk, and cook with both the milk and the flesh. Coconut cream or gata is practically a staple in Filipino cooking recipes, particularly in Bicolano cuisine where it’s often used with chili.

7. Watermelon

Watermelons are said to be the ultimate summer fruit. The cool, sweet juice and crunchy flesh make it a popular dessert on hot days. Eat it in fresh wedges or use it to make a nice summer cocktail. Red watermelons are the most popular variety, but yellow watermelon is also remarkably sweet and definitely worth a try.

8. Calamansi

Fondly called the Philippine lemon, calamansi is often considered a vegetable because of its wide use in Filipino viands and meat dishes. It’s extremely easy to grow-most households have a calamansi bush in their garden-and can be used in practically every dish. Use it to season chicken and pork, fix quick sauces, or flavor up your tea.

9. Durian

Durian is one of those fruits you either love or hate. Many people are put off by its foul odor, but once you get past that, the sweet, chewy flesh is more than rewarding. It’s one of the most valuable tropical fruits; it’s fairly expensive even in the local market. It is usually eaten fresh, but many stores sell durian shakes, durian candy, and even durian ice cream.

Some of the reality shows have featured these exotic foods as part of their challenge in the show. One example is the “balut” which was featured in the show Fear Factor. For those who don’t know, “balut” is a fertilized egg with a nearly developed embryo inside. This egg will be boiled and eaten in shell alongside with either salt or vinegar with chili mixture to season their egg. It may not look or sound good at all, but the taste of it will surely captivate every taste buds that will try this food. Of course, many Filipinos does not find these foods as exotic and unlikely to be eaten especially “balut” which are sold every night on streets.

As one travels in the provinces of the country, one will see that the delicacies become more and more exotic. This is not a surprise since Filipino will try to eat and cook every living thing in their surroundings or backyards. We could say that Filipinos does not care that much what the physical looks or attributes of a thing as long as they could eat them. Whether it’s crunchy or slimy, Filipino delicacies are sure to be tasty and healthy. Many Filipinos will try to use every part of an animal as a source of their food. The resourcefulness of the Filipinos can be seen in this way.

If you visit Vietnam, it is very usual to find the same kind of dish that tastes slightly different than if you eat them from different regions. One can be very salty dish from one province to other provinces and the oil from ultra-hot spice from other.

The whole country is made up of 7,107 islands and is surrounded by the sea. With this vast sea around the country, seafood is very popular. Filipinos also like eating meat, poultry and vegetables. Rice is the staple diet in the Philippines but there are some regions which prefer corn over rice as their main food.

Vegetables are often mixed with seafood or meat, or arranged either on the food or around the dish to artistically beautify the dish. Filipinos also have mixed dishes like minced pork with fowl and seafood, along with different kinds of vegetables. Filipinos love using a range of distinct seasonings to flavor their food. Some of these flavorings are “bagoon” shrimp paste, crab paste, “patis” fish sauce, soy sauce and many more.

Every Filipino I know loves eating sweets and their country has many traditional sweets. Many are based on rice, corn, coconuts, roots and sugar. Tropical fruits are abundant in the Philippines and so they are often prepared as sweets. Perhaps the most popular fruit in the Philippines is the banana and they have many different dessert variations made with bananas.

From seafoods to meat, vegetables and sweets, Filipino food has a wide and delicious variety to choose from.The Philippines has the world’s most delicious and alluring cuisines. The food has its own special tastes and flavors. People are not surprised to find great variety in the cooking styles of the Filipinos. The food served here is a unique blend of western and eastern cuisines.

The northern parts of Luzon are fond of foods that are cooked with their very own anchovies. Different vegetables are mixed together in a pot and boiled with anchovies and other spices to make it more flavorful. The Bicolanos on the other hand loves to cook with coconut milk and chilies. Others cook noodles that are made into soup dishes or just sautéed together with vegetables. The Filipinos, together with the other Asian countries makes rice their staple food. The rice is boiled and cooked then served together with the other Filipino dishes.

One of the most famous Philippine dishes are the “adobo” which is either chicken meat or pork, or can even be both, cooked with soy sauce and vinegar. It is a very well known dish in the Philippines and people from around the world love the pleasant taste of this native dish.

Another famous dish in the Philippines is the “sinigang” which is a sour soup dish. The dish can be cooked with any kinds of fish, and even meat then cooked with tamarind and vegetables. It is found in a typical Filipino meal together with the adobo.

The “kilawin” dish is also famous in the Philippines which the ingredients are mixed and marinated with kalamansi or vinegar together with salt, pepper, onions, and garlic. This is a well known dish ideal to join with alcohol drinks. The Filipinos call these foods as “pulutan”.

Another is the so called “pinakbet” which is a mixture of different vegetables such as eggplants, sweet potato, ampalaya, okra, tomatoes, string beans and others. It is then flavored with anchovies and then put altogether in a pot and cooked. It is a famous dish especially for people living in the barrios or the rural areas of the Philippines.