JANUARY 2012
Best Time to Climb Mt. Pinatubo!
1 NEW YEAR’S DAY | Sunday (Every 1st of January) | PhilippinesRegular Holiday. Solemnity of Mary Mother of God HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
9 FEAST OF THE BLACK NAZARENE | Sunday | Quiapo, Manila
An intense, day-long festival highlighted by a mammoth procession through the streets.
14 PASUNGAY FESTIVAL 2012 | 3rd Saturday | San Joaquin, Iloilo
One of the thrilling bull fighting festival as a culminating event of the Bayluhay Festival which celebrates the arrival of the 10 Datus from Borneo in the 13th century.
15 ATI-ATIHAN 2012 | 3rd Sunday |Kalibo, Aklan
Commemorates the 13th century land deal between 10 migrating Bornean chieftains and the aboriginal Ati King Marikudo. It also honors the town patron, the infant Sto. Nino.
15 SINULOG 2012 | 3rd Sunday | Cebu City
Cebu’s biggest and most popular festival in honor of the Holy Image of Senyor Sto. Niño
22 DINAGYANG FESTIVAL 2012 | 4th Sunday | Iloilo City
Street dancing characterized by frenetic stomping of feet and hypnotic drumbeating. It is a colorful whirl of thousands of people dressed in unique costumes dancing & chanting all day and night.
23 CHINESE NEW YEAR – THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON | Monday | Binondo, Manila
The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese New Year with pomp & color through a dragon dance.
March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN BOSCO | Tuesday (Every 31st of Jan)
Celebration of the feast day of the Father and Teacher of Youth who founded the Salesian Society. 
FEBRUARY 2012
The Love Month!
2 FEAST OF NUESTRA SENORA DE LA CANDELARIA or “OUR LADY OF CANDLES.” | Tuesday (Every 2nd of Feb) | Jaro, Iloilo
Western Visayas celebrates the Patroness of their region.
9-12 HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA | Thursday to Sunday | Clark, Angeles, Pampanga
Watch the awesome hot air balloons fly out as the sun rises in the horizon.
11 FEAST DAY OF OUR LADY OF LOURDES | Saturday (Every 11th of February)
Celebration of the Our Lady of Lourdes’ Apparitions to Saint Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France
14 HAPPY VALENTINES’ DAY! | Tuesday (Every 14th of Feb) | Philippines
Filipino lover’s most romantic event of the year!
22 ASH WEDNESDAY | Philippines
The First Day of Lenten Season in the Philippines
25 EDSA REVOLUTION ANNIVERSARY | Saturday (Every 25th of February) | Philippines
School Holiday. Commemorates the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution that Filipinos came to known for.
26 PANAGBENGA – BAGUIO FLOWER FESTIVAL 2012 |Sunday | Baguio City
Also known as the Baguio Flower Festival which showcases the City of Baguio as a City of Flowers.
29 LEAP DAY | Wednesday (every 4 years) | Philippines
2012 is a leap year and February 29 occurs every four years.
MARCH 2012
Best Time to go watch and shoot the awesome Manila sunset!
Start of the Donsol Season in Bicol!
3-4 Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival 2012 | Saturday and Sunday | Puerto Galera
The festival is held outdoors in a natural amphitheater at the foot of Mount Malasimbo overlooking Puerto Galera Bay, a member of the “Most Beautiful Bays in the World” club.
31 EARTH HOUR 2012 | Saturday 8.30pm-9.30pm | Philippines
Cities and towns all over the world will switch off their lights for one hour—EARTH HOUR—sending a powerful global message that it is possible to take action on global warming.
25 FEAST OF THE ANNUNCIATION | Sunday (Every 25th of March)
Feast commemorating the announcement of Angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary that she would conceive and become the mother of Jesus the Son of God. This is celebrated 9 full months before Christmas.
APRIL 2012
The Peak Time in Boracay.
*** April 5-9 | 5 Days Long Weekend! ***
1-8 HOLY WEEK! | Philippines
Philippines’ most sacred week!
5 MAUNDY THURSDAY | Thursday | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
6 GOOD FRIDAY | Friday | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
6 MORIONES FESTIVAL | Friday | Marinduque
Re-enact the story of Longinus, a Roman centurion who speared the crucified body of Jesus Christ.
6 CUTUD CRUXIFIXIONS | Friday | Pampanga
The old tradition of dramatizing the passion and death of Jesus Christ (called Via Crusis) was played out on the streets leading to the crucifixion site before the 1pm Crucifixion.
7 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE | Saturday (Every 7th of April)
Celebration of the feast day of the Patron Saint of Teachers and Founder of Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
8 EASTER SUNDAY | Sunday | Philippines
Celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ
9 BATAAN DAY (ARAW NG KAGITINGAN) | Monday (Every 9th of April)
Regular Holiday. Araw ng Kagitingan
15 FEAST OF THE DIVINE MERCY | Sunday | Plenary Indulgence for Divine Mercy Sunday
The soul that will go to confession and receive holy communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment!
22 EARTH DAY 2012 | Sunday (Every 22nd of April) | Philippines
A day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment
MAY 2012
National-wide celebration of Flores de Mayo / Santacruzan.
*** April 28 – May 1 | Possible 3-4 Days Long Weekend! ***
1 LABOR DAY | Tuesday (Every 1st of May) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. National Labor Day!
13 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! | 2nd Sunday of May | Philippines
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome mothers!
15 PAHIYAS 2012 | Tuesday (Every 15th of May) | Lucban, Quezon
An annual celebration held to usher in a bountiful harvest and smashing good times.
17-19 OBANDO FERTILITY RITES 2012 | Thursday-Saturday (Every 17th for St. Paschal, 18th for St. Clare, 19th of May for the Our Lady of Salambao) | Obando, Bulacan
Massive numbers of men and women dance towards the town church praying for a wife, husband or a child.
28 NATIONAL FLAG DAY | Monday (Every 28th of May) | Manila
Start of the designated flag days where all government offices, business establishments, and private homes are also encouraged to display the flag.
JUNE 2012
Time to show your love for the Philippines by putting a flag on your home, car, and shirts.
*** June 9-12 | Possible 4 Days Long Weekend! ***
12 PHILIPPINE’S INDEPENDENCE DAY | Tuesday (Every 12th of June) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the Independence Day of the Philippines from the Spaniards
17 HAPPY FATHER’S DAY! | 3rd Sunday of June | Philippines
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome fathers!
19 BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. JOSE RIZAL | Tuesday (Every 19th of June) | Philippines
(proposed legislation to declare a working holiday)
24 FEAST DAY OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST | Sunday (Every 24th of June) | San Juan
Feast of St. John the Baptist where it is celebrated with showering people with water
24 PARADA NG LECHON FESTIVAL | Sunday (Every 24th of June) | Balayan, Batangas
A Lechon Parade celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist in Balayan Batangas
29 PINTADOS/ KASADYAAN FESTIVAL 2012 | Friday (Every 29th of June) |Tacloban
Feast of the Señor Santo Niño de Leyte
JULY 2012
Start of the Rainy Season in the Philippines.
11 FEAST DAY OF ST. BENEDICT | Wednesday (Every 11th day of July)
Celebration of the feast day of the Patron Saint of Europe and the Students, and the Father of Western Monasticism.
22 BOHOL SANDUGO FESTIVAL 2012 | Tagbilaran, Bohol
This festival commemorates the treaty of friendship between Datu Sikatuna, a native chieftain and the Spanish conquistador, Miguel López de Legazpi, representing the king of Spain.
26 FEAST DAY OF SAINT ANNE | Thursday (Every 26th of July)
Celebration of the feast day of the Mother of Mama Mary
31 FEAST DAY OF ST. IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA | Friday (Every 31st of July)
Celebration of the feast day of the Father General of the Jesuits. A 30-day retreat follows the celebration.
AUGUST 2012
The Best Time to go on a wild river ride.
14 UGU BIGYAN’s BIRTHDAY SALE | Tuesday (Every 14th of August) | Tiaong, Quezon
49% Discount on Ugu Bigyan’s Pottery (discount is equivalent to his age)
15 ASCENCION OF MOTHER MARY INTO HEAVEN | Wednesday (Every 15th of August)
19 KADAYAWAN SA DABAW 2012 | Sunday | Davao City
This festival gives thanks to the bounty of fruits and flowers as the waling-waling orchid blooms.
*** August 18-21 | Possible 3-4 Days Long Weekend! ***
19 EID’L FITR | Sunday
A Muslim holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan.
(Calculated date for 2012 pending proclamation).
21 NINOY AQUINO DAY | Tuesday (Every 21st of August)
Regular Holiday. Commemorating the Death of Ninoy Aquino
*** August 25-27 | 3 Days Long Weekend! ***
27 NATIONAL HEROES’ DAY | Last Monday of August
Regular Holiday. Commemorates the “Cry of Pugad Lawin” by Filipino revolutionaries called the Katipunan
29 KAGAY-AN FESTIVAL – FEAST DAY OF ST. AUGUSTINE | Saturday (Every 28th of August) | Cagayan de Oro City
Feast of St. Augustine in Cagayan de Oro City
SEPTEMBER 2012
The Best Time to go to Divisoria for Christmas shopping and preparations.
8 MOTHER MARY’S BIRTHDAY | Saturday (Every 8th of September)
9 HAPPY GRANDPARENT’S DAY! | Sunday (Every 2nd Sunday of September)
An annual celebration to pay tribute to all the awesome grandparents!
14 FEAST OF THE TRIUMPH OF THE HOLY CROSS | Friday (Every 14th of September)
Public exposition and Veneration of the RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS OF CHRIST at the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastery in Tarlac.
15 PENAFRANCIA VIVA LA VIRGEN 2012 | Saturday (Every 3rd Saturday of September) | Naga City
Bicol Region’s biggest celebration is highlighted by a fluvial parade of Lady of Penafrancia carried through the river aglow with floating candles.
23 FEAST DAY OF PADRE PIO | Sunday (Every 23th of September)
Feast of Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
29 ILIGAN FIESTA – FEAST DAY OF ST. MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL | Saturday (Every 29th of September) | Iligan City
Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Celebration in Iligan City
OCTOBER 2012
Surfing Season in the Philippines.
1 THE FEAST OF ST. THERESE OF CHILD JESUS | Monday (Every 1st of October)
Feast of Saint Therese of the Little Flower.
4 THE FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI | Thursday (Every 4th of October)
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals. Pet blessings are held to celebrate his feast.
5 WORLD’S TEACHERS DAY | Friday (Every 5th of October)
Happy Teachers Day to honor the noble profession of teaching.
20-21 MASKARA FESTIVAL 2012 | Saturday – Sunday (3rd Weekend of October) | Bacolod
The festival that made Bacolod famous began as an event to inspire the locals to face the hard times with a smiling face, thus masks with smiling faces are worn by revelers who join the parade.
*** October 26-28 | Possible 3 Days Long Weekend! ***
26 EIDUL ADHA | Friday
Muslim Holiday celebrating Abraham’s obedience when he was willing to sacrifice his son Ishmael. (calculated date for 2012 pending proclamation)
27-28 LANSONES FESTIVAL 2012 | Saturday – Sunday (Last Weekend of October) | Camiguin
A grand celebration of the lanzones fruit in the island of Camiguin.
NOVEMBER 2012
Halloween!
*** November 1 – 4 | Possible 3-4 Days Long Weekend! ***
1 ALL SAINT’S DAY | Thursday | Regular Holiday
2 ALL SOUL’S DAY | Friday
13 DIWALI FESTIVAL | Tuesday
Indian New Year Festival of Lights
23 HIGANTES FESTIVAL 2012 | Friday (Every 23rd of November) | Angono, Rizal
Male devotees carry the image of San Clemente in a procession that features parehadoras, clad in colorful garb and wooden shoes, and carrying boat paddles and higantes (giants) 10 feet tall papier mache puppets.
23-25 MAHARLIKA SUNRISE FESTIVAL | Friday-Sunday | Roving Festival
The Sunrise Festival is a celebration of arts for service and blessedness held annually in the different regions of Maharlika (Philippines).
28 HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! | Thursday (Every last Thursday of November)
23-25 KERYGMA CONFERENCE 2012 | Manila | Kerygma Conference
The Biggest Catholic Charismatic Event in the Country
*** November 30-December 2 | 3 Days Long Weekend! ***
30 BONIFACIO DAY | Friday (Every 30th of November) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Birth Anniversary of Andres Bonifacio
DECEMBER 2012
Christmas Season in the Philippines.
1 ANNUAL CULTURAL TOUR OF NEGROS | Saturday | Bacolod
Longest running cultural tour in the country by Ramon H. Hofileña.
8 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION | Tuesday (Every 8th of December) | HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION
8 ANNUAL CULTURAL TOUR OF NEGROS | Saturday | Bacolod
Longest running cultural tour in the country by Ramon H. Hofileña.
15 GIANT LANTERN FESTIVAL 2012 | San Fernando, Pampanga
A Show-Off of Kapampangan Pride culminated with a display of Giant Lanterns measuring 18 feet in diameter.
16 SIMBANG GABI | Sunday (9 days before Christmas)
Start of early morning vigil 9 days before Christmas
16 OBLATION RUN | Sunday (Every 16th of December) | University of the Philippines
The annual naked run of the full-pledge members of Alpha Phi Omega society is a tradition that started in 1977 to protest the banning of the movie, “Hubad na Bayani,” which depicted human rights abuses in the martial law era. The date honors their international founding day on December 16th, 1925.
21 END OF THE WORLD (Mayans) | Friday
Dec 21, 2012 is the day predicted by the Mayans to be the end of the world.
*** December 22-25 | Possible 3-4 Days Long Weekend! ***
25 CHRISTMAS DAY | Tuesday (Every 25th of December) | Philippines
Regular Holiday. Celebrating the Birth of Jesus Christ. Holy Day of Obligation
*** December 29-January 1 | 4 Days Long Weekend! ***
30 RIZAL DAY | Sunday |
Commemorating the Death of Jose Rizal
31 LAST DAY OF THE YEAR | Monday
Live an Awesome Life,
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P.S. Let me know if you want to put a festival schedule or a milestone event in the 2012 Awesome Calendar which will be published in the Awesome Life Planner 2012, Thanks!
Incorrect dates under OCTOBER 2012
*** August 26-27 | Possible 3 Days Long Weekend! ***
Thanks for catching this, I’ve corrected it already…
December 31 should be the last day of the year 🙂
thanks for this!
are you going to have a planner for 2012 as well?
haha… or is it too early to inquire about it? ^^;
Hi Anton,
You may want to recheck the date for Eid al-Adha this year as I think it falls insha’allah around November 6th for 2011 not October
Wala bang feast day si St. John Baptist De La Salle?
Please include also feast day of St. Benedict.
San Juan Day is the day when they try to pour water on you…include that. This is fun.
Also, dont they have the Capiz festival where they celebrate the aswangs? Meron pa ba nun?
In Zamboanga, they have a day that celebrates the Vinta.
YES thanks for this. I’ve corrected it:
*** December 29-January 1 | 4 Days Long Weekend! ***
30 RIZAL DAY | Sunday |
Commemorating the Death of Jose Rizal
31 LAST DAY OF THE YEAR | Monday
Hi Mon,
YES, I’m about to announce it. I’m finalizing these awesome events to be included in the planner 🙂
Anton
That’s correct for 2011… in 2012, it suppose to be on October 26th
Wala nang capiz aswang festival… it was stopped already.
Sige will include June 24 date
Added their feast days already. Thanks bro for the comment
It is leap year so I added:
29 LEAP DAY | Philippines
2012 is a leap year and February 29 occurs every four years.
This is an AWESOME and COOL calendar, Anton:) Thanks for sharing. Will you have package tours for any of the events specifically the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta? If yes, please count me and my hubby in!:) God bless!:)
Thanks for the advance listing, Anton. Really helps me get my travel schedule in order. You may want to add a disclaimer to some of the national holidays that are going to fall on the weekday. Lately, the government tends to move celebration of these dates so that we could be able to enjoy a long weekend.
You are right… this is the best estimate for now.
I suggest September 14 to be : Feast of the TRIUMPH OF THE HOLY CROSS and
public exposition and Veneration of the RELIC OF THE TRUE CROSS OF CHRIST at the the Servants of the Risen Christ Monastery in Tarlac
Please include February 11 – Feast of Our lady of Lourdes
Your month of March has few entries.Please include March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation
Ooops my bad hehehe
Hi Anton! Thanks for sharing 2012 activities and holidays! 🙂
Added this Momsy!
Added this Momsy!
Added this Momsy!
You’re welcome 🙂
We will announce this… stay tuned in OAP…
Hi Anton!
FYI on the Pasungay Festival, it’s 10 Bornean Datus or the 10 Datus from Borneo.
OK Maja, I updated it already!
Hi Anton….Thanks for the support you’re extending to JFK, it’s picking up especially when people gets to taste our samplers. Wondering how I can get in touch with you.
Hi, Anton! This is great! You may want to add the Parada ng Lechon held in Batangas every June 24, if I’m not mistaken. Was always invited to this when I used to handle Mang Tomas. Unfortunately, never got to go to this, but it’s supposed to be popular.
Email me po at anton@diaz.ph
OK, I've added this Pam!
hey Anton. zeek here. im leaving back to Kuala Lumpur later tonight. thank you for all the great food recommendations. i’ve enjoyed my 3 weeks stay here in the philippines.. as always. bye.
This is a very interesting post po! It just shows how rich the Filipino culture is. I love the Feasts that Ms Emy suggested. 🙂
Jan 9, 2011 is Monday (not Sunday) 🙂
Hello Anton,
I would like to ask you to clarify if possible some webpages citing the December 30, 2011 DR. Jose Rizal Day has been moved to January 2, 2012. such as http://sgholiday.com/calendar/philippines-holidays-2012/#holiday-2012.
I tried checking on line for more details but can not find a good answer.
Hope you can check it out. Thanks.
Victor
i can’t wait for the 2012 planner. when is it coming out? thanks!
Hi you could also add fun facts on some dates. Like a trivia for instance. Buyers will find that amusing and they’ll get to learn new things as well.
Thanks for the suggestion! Sige we will incorporate this.
Shouldn’t you add Jan21-23 3-day long weekend? Yippppeeeeee!
Hi, I heard there will be a Tsinelas festival in Liliw, Laguna on April (last week) but I dont have the exact date yet.
And the Feast of San isidro Labrador (Pulilan Carabao Festival) in Pulilan, Bulacan on May 14-15.
Hi Anton,
Bacolod Maskara Festival October (13-14) or (20-21)?
http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/manila/edsashangrila/eventcalendar
Thanks
Awesome DAVAO! More things to do here in Davao!
Hi Anton! We’d like to invite you and all of your friends here in Our Awesome Planet to celebrate Earth Day with us.
On April 22, CCP, together with various environmental NGOs and local groups, are organizing the EARTH DAY 2012 FESTIVAL with the theme “GO GREEN. SAVE THE PLANET. Let’s celebrate Earth Day everyday!”
Please like and share http://www.facebook.com/EarthDayFest for more details of this fun-filled and eco-friendly event. It’s a great bonding for the family, appreciate nature and learn ways to protect our environment. We can all make a difference!
See you all there!
How about Singkaban Festival in Bulacan?
I think it will be on September..
What is it about? What makes the Singkaban Festival awesome?
This is very informative. Thank you very much!
Hi Anton. Just checked. Angono’s Higantes Festival is on Nov 18 Sunday. San Clemente Fiesta still on Nov 23.
Ok thanks for this correction.
Anton
Thanks for bringing us this information. It really made my hot day cool. Can’t wait to read more.