04 Sep 2024
In the Philippines, festivals are essential for fostering social cohesiveness and preserving cultural continuity. They provide offer people a stage to celebrate and exhibit their cultural identities. As Filipinos unite to celebrate their customs and heritage, these occasions also help to strengthen their feeling of belonging and pride in their culture.
Over the years, diasporic Filipinos’ attachment to their homeland has been enhanced, attributed to the use of the Internet to send remittances. Thanks to the development of mobile money transfer services, Filipinos working in Italy no longer have to go through a long and complicated procedure to send money back to their families. This article covers the luminous festivals of the Philippines, their representations of the national identity, and how the Filipinos in Italy might contribute to the preservation of the traditions via online money transfer from Italy to Philippines.
Festivals in the Philippines are not merely celebrations for joy ; they are part and parcel of the Filipino history, traditions, and youths’ practices. In essence, each festival presents a culture of a given region in which the celebrations are made, complete with its own practices, meanings, and procedures. Festivals are usually celebrated with regard to the history of culture or religious and annual harvests and are cultural events in which people can consolidate their experience.
Experience the rich cultural heritage and vibrant traditions of the Philippines through its festivals. These events showcase the unique history and practices of each region. Following are the major festivals celebrated in the Philippines:
Regarding festivals, the Sinulog Festival that precedes the fiesta in Cebu City, every third Sunday of January, is perhaps the most celebrated festival in the Philippines. This festival is celebrated for the child Jesus, and it comes with a big parade with people in costumes to represent history and culture. Street dancing is one of the main manifestations of the festival; the dance that is performed depicts a forward and backward movement called ‘Sinulog.’ The movement, which is characterized by the drumbeat and the clothes worn, makes the spectacle enjoyed by tourists across the world.
In Baguio City, the Panagbenga Festival or the Flower Festival, is observed in February through beautiful flower floats and street dancing performances. This means that it is focused on the climacteric time of the year, ending the dry season and beginning the flower blooming season in the Philippines. Another one is the float, which is covered with all forms and sizes of flowers, as well as the great street performances and many other activities that depict the culture and talent of the people of the place who are celebrating the festival.
Additionally, for Filipinos living abroad, the process to send money to Philippines from Italy has become an efficient way to encourage their loved ones to participate in the celebration and feel the excitement of this vibrant event.
Pahiyas is held in Lucban, Quezon, and it is celebrated every May. This fiesta is famous for its beautiful balata, which are made from endless and vivid materials. The development of the celebration can be traced back to its historical root as a way of paying tribute to the patron saint, San Isidro Labrador, and the plentiful harvest.
During this celebration, people decorate their houses with calorific materials like rice, vegetables, and fruits, among other necessities. Organized by different community members, this annual harvest celebration owes its name to the word “hiyas,” which is Tagalog for “jewel.”
Locally known as the “mother of all Philippine festivals,” the ati-than festival is held in the town of Kalibo, Aklan, in January. : It is located in Bais City and is dedicated to Santo Niño; it observes street dancing and painting faces with black soot. The performers, referred to as “Ati,” don traditional Visayan costumes and perform a lively dance to the sound of rhythmically beaten drums, creating a visually rich portrayal of the indigenous people and their culture.
The Kadayawan Festival is an annual celebration that takes place in August in Davao City, and it lasts for one week. During this colorful festival, the group showcases the cultural diversities experienced by the Davao region. It includes street dance, float displays of flowers, and representations of native cultural goals and crafts. It has also embraced the concept of nature and fertility by holding fairs in which people display fruits, flowers and handmade products of the realm.
For the OFWs in Italy, providing financial support to Filipino festivity and other everyday activities in the Philippines might also be considered an effective way of garnering Filipino spirit. It's now easier than ever to send money online to Philippines from Italy, enabling expatriates to help their relatives and communities enjoy these priceless customs.
Quite often, organizing festivals involves the expenditure of considerable sums spent on decorations, permits, and many other necessities. Well-wishers from overseas can contribute towards the costs to support the cause of the festivals since they remain integral aspects of Filipino culture.
In the Philippines, festivals for families are entertaining and might seem costly, especially for families. Remittance might save on costs that accompany the acquisition of better and appropriate costumes, transportation, and many others, making families participate in celebrations to the fullest.
The ability to send money online has completely changed how Filipinos living overseas support their family and give back to their communities as the globe grows more interconnected. With several online money transfer providers, transferring money to the Philippines has never been simpler for Filipinos living in Italy.
The Philippines' festivals are a colorful celebration of the country's togetherness and rich cultural legacy. Every celebration, from the vibrant Panagbenga Festival to the exuberant Sinulog Festival, highlights the distinct customs and sense of community that characterize the Filipino people. Money transfer from Italy to Philippines has become a practical and efficient option for Filipinos residing in Italy to help their relatives and participate in cultural events back home.
Depending on the particular event and organizing group, Philippine festivals in Italy may have different dates and locations. However, in order to suit the schedules of Filipino workers, many Filipino communities in Italy frequently celebrate their holidays on weekends.
There are several uses for Philippine celebrations in Italy. Their main goals are to maintain and encourage Filipino customs and culture within the Filipino diaspora. These gatherings also help the Filipino diaspora feel more connected to one another and promote Filipino culture to Italian audiences.
Because of its colorful intensity and spiritual significance, the Sinulog Festival is sometimes regarded as the most well-known Philippine holiday observed in Italy. However, there are other festivals that also attract a lot of interest, such as Ati-Atihan, Dinagyang, and Kadayawan.
The colorful costumes, contagious rhythm, and religious dedication of the Sinulog Festival make it an enthralling display for Italian spectators. People from all cultural backgrounds might relate to the festival's unique experience, which is created via its combination of tradition and contemporary.
Respecting Filipino customs and culture is usually expected when attending a Philippine event in Italy. Some frequent methods to show gratitude are to taste the local food, dress modestly, and join in the festivities.
