Transcript a course on CULTURAL FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT 24

PISTANG PINOY:
an Overview of
Philippine Festivals
Riya Brigino Lopez
Prepared for the participants of the 8th seminar
workshop on DOT’s Tunay na Pyestang Pinoy
May 7-9, 2008/ Balibago, Angeles City
7,100 islands
7,100 more festivals
…and the number is still
growing…
Classification
of festivals/celebrations based on
cultural traditions
1.ANIMISTIC
celebrations flowered before the arrival of
the Western powers and still exists today
cont. classification of festivals…
2. CHRISTIAN
celebrations introduced during the
Spanish colonial period, adopted,
transformed from the 16th century to the
present
cont. classification of festivals…
3. MUSLIM
celebrations and or festivals
developed after Islam’s
arrival in the 14th century and
have been observed until now
cont. classification of festivals…
4. SECULAR
festivals/celebrations started during the
American colonial period and has since
been multiplied to thousands
samples of ANIMISTIC celebration
1. Cañao (Cordillera)
celebration in the form of rituals as
thanksgiving and or celebration of
rites of passage
Purpose: promotion of the welfare of
the community, survival, harmony
among settlers
cont. sample of ANIMISTIC celebration
2. BUKLOG (Subanons of Northwestern in
Mindanao) whole day celebration that
involves ancient ritual to honor the spirits:
malengma (spirit of the water); mamanwa
(spirit of the forest);manising palingkitan (spirit
of the mountain)
purpose: appease or thank the spirits for
good harvest
Buklog features a platform of about 15 feet high. It is
built on the spot chosen by baylan (native priestess)
samples of feasts or celebrations among
Islamized groups
1.HARI RAYA POASA
celebration at the end of the
feasting month of Ramadan.
Begins with a ritual of
cleansing.
cont. samples of feasts or celebrations among Islamized
groups
2. HARI RAYA RADJ
celebration after the completion
of pilgrimage to Mecca
cont. samples of feasts or celebrations among Islamized
groups
3. MAULOD EN NABI
celebration of the birth of the
Prophet Mohammed
sample of pre-Islamic festivities
Kalilang sa Tonong (Maranao) held
every April in Marawi and includes fluvial
parades singing and playing of
indigenous instruments
purpose: ask the spirit of water for a
bountiful harvest
It also includes
KASHAWING, a ritual held to
ensure good harvest
samples of celebrations among Christians
CHRISTMAS
- Misa de Gallo
- pastores
- panunuluyan
- maytinis
- Tatlong Hari
- others
Lenten Rites

- panata

- pabasa, pasyon

- caridad

- sinakulo

- osana

- paghuhugas ng paa

- siete palabras

- others
LET US REVIEW…
1. FESTIVALS/ CELEBRATIONS/ RITUALS ARE
HELD EVEN BEFORE WESTERN
COLONIZATION
2. ALL CULTURES HAVE SPECIFIC FORMS
OF CELEBRATIONS
3. THE ANIMISTIC, MUSLIM and Christian feasts ARE
DEEPLY ROOTED TO THE CULTURE OF THE
COMMUNITY and held in response to the needs
of the community (not only material needs but
spiritual as well)
4. Celebrations are not whimsically created but
consciously held to:
a. promote the welfare of the community
b. promote political integrity
c. social harmony of each tribal community
d. honor and or appease the spirits
(water, sky, forest and other elements)
for bountiful harvest, guidance and protection
e. ask permission or invoke spirits for
guidance
cont. classification of festivals…
4. SECULAR
festivals/celebrations started during the
American colonial period and has since
been multiplied to thousands
Secular celebrations proliferated during the American period
Nature and Purpose
- foundation of the province
- promotion of the place as a tourist destination
- promote the main product of the place
- highlight the unique cultural traditions and customs
- highlight historical events / heroes etc.
- highlight
achievements in the arts and other fields
- honor and reverence for the environment
For the last 15 years or so “agrocultural festival” has mushroomed
incessantly
The rising number of festivals centers
on sacred images (though incidental
at times) is very alarming
Other SAMPLES OF SECULAR
FESTIVAL
National Arts Festival – nationwide
celebration every February
National Heritage Month
Independence Day celebration
Arts Festival (music, theater, dance etc.)
Cuerdas nin Kagabsan:
Strings of Unity
First International Rondalla Festival
Feb. 8-14, 2004, Bicol Region
National and Foreign Participants
(Russia, Israel, U.S., Mexico, Australia etc.)
Outreach Performance
OUTREACH PERFORMANCES
Some popular festivals
Ati-Atihan of Kalibo
Pahiyas Festival
MASSKARA FESTIVAL (Bacolod,
Negros Occidental)
KADAYAWAN FESTIVAL
City)
(DAVAO
PANAGBENGA (Baguio City, Benguet)
CURRENT Challenges in Creating a Festival /Event
How to create a festival that will be at par with the
existing ones in terms of :
1. Significance
2. Color
3. Symbols
4. Exuberance
5. Timing
6. Rhythm/Sounds
7. Variety of events
8. Magnitude of events
9. Marketing and promotion opportunities (media etc.)
10. Profitability (not just money but other resources as
well)
MEANING and
symbolism
Color, exuberance and pageantry
ANTIQUES/Pakulo
Ingenuity /Creativity
BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF ALL
How to arrest the seemingly
homogeneity of the festivals all
over the country
How to arrest the proliferation of
the “culture of competition” being
espoused by many festivals
To be able to confront these
challenges it is crucial to
conduct a comprehensive
cultural research
it is the responsibility of the
festival managers in cooperation
with other stakeholders to plan
and create a significant festival
or celebration
a significant festival starts with
a sensible and research based
concept
a sensible concept could be derived from…
a.
needs and aspirations of any given community
b.
history, origin and vision of the place
d.
distinct culture of the community
e.
identity of the people and place
f.
myths, legends, folktales
g.
traditional creative expressions
h.
advocacy
IT IS HIGH TIME TO PLAN A
MORE SOULFUL CELEBRATION
LET US START BY ASKING
WHY ARE WE HOLDING THE
FESTIVAL IN THE FIRST
PLACE…
FESTIVAL SHOULD MEAN MORE TO THE
SOCIETY WHERE IT EMERGES
After all, FESTIVAL is NOT just about
pageantry, NOT just about winning a
competition but more of a
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SALAMAT PO!