Siquijor Festivals: Dilaab, Bugwas & Local Celebrations

Siquijor comes alive during its festivals, when the island’s mystical heritage, Catholic traditions, and local culture blend into colorful celebrations. From the province-wide Dilaab Festival to intimate barangay fiestas, these events offer a window into authentic island life.

Major Festivals Calendar

Festival	When	Where	Highlights
Dilaab Festival	March 17-25	Island-wide	Main provincial celebration
Healing Festival	Holy Week	Mt. Bandilaan	Traditional healer gathering
Bugwas Festival	Variable	San Juan	Street dancing, cultural shows
Saging Festival	Variable	Lazi	Banana-themed celebration
Lubi Festival	Variable	Maria	Coconut festival
Cano-an Festival	Variable	Larena	Maritime heritage celebration

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Dilaab Festival (March)

The Dilaab Festival is Siquijor’s grandest celebration, held annually during the third week of March. “Dilaab” refers to the flames from fireflies that once lit the island’s molave trees, giving Siquijor its Spanish name “Isla del Fuego” (Island of Fire).

When

March 17-25, with the main events on March 24-25 coinciding with the province’s founding anniversary (Republic Act 6396 was signed on March 25, 1971).

What Happens

Street Dancing Competition The highlight of Dilaab is the street dancing competition featuring contingents from all six municipalities. Performers wear elaborate costumes inspired by fireflies, traditional healing practices, and island mythology.

Cultural Presentations

• Traditional dance performances
• Musical showcases
• Drama presentations depicting Siquijor’s history
• Indigenous music and instruments

Trade Fair Local products on display and for sale:

• Healing herbs and traditional remedies
• Local crafts and souvenirs
• Island produce and food products

Beauty Pageant Miss Siquijor and related competitions celebrate local beauty and talent.

Sports Events Inter-municipal competitions in basketball, volleyball, and other sports.

Where

Main events take place in Siquijor town (the capital), with activities spreading to other municipalities.

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Healing Festival (Holy Week)

The most unique of Siquijor’s celebrations, the Healing Festival draws on the island’s reputation as a center for traditional medicine and folk healing.

When

Holy Week, particularly Black Saturday (Sabado de Gloria), when the main rituals occur.

What Happens

Mananambal Gathering Traditional healers (mananambal) from across the island gather at designated locations, particularly around Mt. Bandilaan, to perform ceremonies and prepare “bolo-bolo” (healing potions).

Potion Preparation At midnight on Black Saturday, when the church bells are silent, healers prepare their most potent medicines. This timing is considered especially powerful.

Healing Rituals Visitors can observe (and sometimes participate in) various healing practices:

• Herbal treatments
• Massage and manipulation
• Bolo-bolo ceremony (using a stone in water to “extract” illness)
• Prayers and incantations

Religious Observances Holy Week is also observed with Catholic traditions:

• Visita Iglesia (church visitations)
• Processions
• Passion plays
• Good Friday services

Where

• San Antonio, Mt. Bandilaan — Traditional gathering point
• Various barangays with known healers
• Churches throughout the island for Catholic observances

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Municipal Festivals

Each of Siquijor’s six municipalities celebrates its own festival, usually tied to local products or patron saints.

Bugwas Festival (San Juan)

Theme: Celebrates local culture and heritage

Highlights:

• Street dancing competition
• Parade of colorful costumes
• Cultural performances
• Food and trade fair

San Juan being the tourist hub means Bugwas Festival tends to be well-attended by visitors.

Saging Festival (Lazi)

Theme: Honors the banana (saging), a major local crop

Highlights:

• Banana cooking competitions
• Banana-inspired costumes in street dancing
• Agricultural exhibits
• Community feast

Lazi’s festival reflects its agricultural identity and strong community ties.

Lubi Festival (Maria)

Theme: Celebrates the coconut (lubi), essential to island life

Highlights:

• Coconut-based products showcase
• Cooking demonstrations
• Cultural presentations
• Traditional games

Maria’s interior location means this festival offers a more local, less touristy experience.

Cano-an Festival (Larena)

Theme: Honors the paddle (cano-an), representing maritime heritage

Highlights:

• Boat parades
• Water sports competitions
• Street dancing with maritime themes
• Seafood feast

Larena’s port town identity comes through in this celebration of the sea.

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Patron Saint Fiestas

Beyond the themed festivals, each municipality celebrates its patron saint’s feast day—a tradition found throughout the Philippines.

Town	Patron Saint	Feast Day
Siquijor	St. Francis of Assisi	October 4
San Juan	St. John the Baptist	June 24
Lazi	St. Isidore the Laborer	May 15
Maria	Our Lady of Divine Providence	Third Sunday of November
Larena	St. Vincent Ferrer	April 5
Enrique Villanueva	Our Lady of Mt. Carmel	July 16

What to Expect at a Fiesta

• Mass and processions honoring the patron saint
• Community feast (food shared among neighbors)
• Street parties and live music
• Local games and competitions
• Family reunions as locals return home

Fiestas are wonderful times to experience genuine Filipino hospitality. Don’t be surprised if you’re invited to share a meal with locals.

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Attending Festivals: Practical Tips

Booking Accommodations

• Dilaab and Holy Week: Book 2-4 weeks in advance
• Municipal festivals: 1 week advance is usually sufficient
• Fiestas: Room availability is usually fine

Transportation

• Roads can be congested during major festivals
• Tricycles charge higher fares during peak events
• Having your own motorcycle gives flexibility

What to Bring

• Camera — Lots of photo opportunities
• Cash — Vendors may not take cards
• Water — Stay hydrated at outdoor events
• Sun protection — Most festivities happen outdoors
• Respectful attire — Especially for religious events

Etiquette

• Ask before photographing people, especially in traditional settings
• Respect religious ceremonies — Don’t interrupt services
• Join in appropriately — Many locals welcome visitor participation
• Don’t treat healing practices as entertainment

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Best Festival Experiences

For Culture Seekers: Healing Festival

Nothing else like it exists in the Philippines. Watching traditional healers at work during Holy Week is a unique anthropological experience.

For Celebration: Dilaab Festival

The biggest party with the most activities. Street dancing, beauty pageants, and a carnival atmosphere.

For Authenticity: Local Fiestas

Small-town fiestas offer genuine cultural immersion without the tourist crowds. You’ll be welcomed as an honored guest.

For Photography: Any Festival

All Siquijor festivals offer incredible visual opportunities—colorful costumes, expressive faces, traditional settings.

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Planning Around Festivals

Pros of Visiting During Festivals

• Experience authentic cultural traditions
• See the island at its most vibrant
• Interact with locals in celebratory mood
• Unique photo opportunities

Cons of Visiting During Festivals

• Higher accommodation prices
• Fewer available rooms
• Crowded attractions
• Transportation challenges

Quiet Time Alternative

If you prefer peaceful exploration, avoid Holy Week entirely. The weeks before and after major festivals offer a calmer island while still allowing you to see festival preparations or aftermath.

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Festival Resources

Provincial Tourism Office

• Phone: 0955 370 6991
• Email: siquijortourism@gmail.com
• Can provide current festival schedules

Facebook Groups

Local Facebook groups often share real-time festival updates and photos.

Your Accommodation

Ask staff about ongoing or upcoming festivities—they’ll know what’s happening nearby.

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Final Thoughts

Siquijor’s festivals reveal a layer of the island that casual tourism misses. Beyond the beaches and waterfalls, there’s a community with deep traditions, unique beliefs, and genuine warmth.

Whether you time your visit for the Healing Festival’s mystical atmosphere, Dilaab’s provincial pride, or a small barangay fiesta, you’ll experience Siquijor as more than a destination—you’ll glimpse it as a home.

Just remember: festivals here aren’t performances put on for tourists. They’re living traditions. Approach with respect, participate with humility, and you’ll find yourself welcomed into something special.