Zambales is popular among weekend warriors who want to take a quick trip to the beach to go swimming or diving. Located in Central Luzon in the Philippines, it is just a short driving distance away from Manila, the country’s capital. It’s also known for being one of the provinces to host Mount Pinatubo, one of the most active volcanoes in the country. It also features a number of amazing hotels and Airbnb vacation rentals for travelers, as well as incredible staycation spots for locals looking to relax. What many do not know, however, is that Zambales also plays host to a number of festivals celebrated throughout the year. Want to join these festivities? Take a look at this list to find out more about the popular festivals in Zambales, Philippines.
Good to know:
Find out the best time to visit Zambales by checking the weather forecast for the specific town you’re visiting, as the weather varies across the province. The holiday season in December, and April to May in summer, are the peak seasons. If you wish to avoid the crowds, visit in a different month.
There are several tours and activities to enjoy in the province. Make sure to book from an authorized agency and have a hassle-free experience!
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1. Dinamulag Festival in Iba
Besides its beaches and dive sites, Zambales is also best known for its mangoes - the dinamulag variety that they grow is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records as the sweetest in the world - and the Dinamulag Festival celebrates this sweet, sticky fruit. Intended as a way to celebrate the bountiful harvest of the fruit, this event sees a number of activities, including street dancing that features dancers clad in mango-themed costumes. Besides mango-themed activities, I suggest you also check out the number of sports-themed events and activities such as fireworks displays and a sand sculpting competition.
Dinamulag Festival
Address: Iba, Zambales, Philippines
Takes place: March or April
2. Caracol Boat Parade in Subic
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The Caracol Boat event takes place at the same time as the barangay fiesta in Calapandayan, Subic, every second Sunday of May. This activity sees a boat parade, wherein an image of San Roque (also known as Saint Roch, Saint Rock, and Saint Rocco) is paraded at sea, accompanied by a live band playing in other boats.
Caracol Boat Parade
Address: Calapandayan, Subic, Zambales
Takes place: May
3. Sibit-Sibit Summer Festival in Olongapo
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Sibit-Sibit Summer Festival got its name from the small paddle boats that used to be the center of livelihoods of the residents, who made a living largely from fishing. Originally, the festival’s main event was a race among competitors on the aforementioned boats. Today, however, the event has evolved to include motorized boat and sailboat competitions, as well as a fluvial parade that I’m sure any culture enthusiast will enjoy. There are other activities off the water as well, including a volleyball competition and a boat-themed sand sculpting competition.
Sibit-Sibit Summer Festival
Address: Barangay Barreto, Olongapo, Zambales
Takes place: April
4. Feast of Ina Poon Bato in Botolan
January 24 marks the feast of Ina Poon Bato in Batolan. A number of miracles are attributed by the locals through the intercession of Ina Poon Bato, also known as Nuestra Señora dela Paz of Zambales, Apo Apang, and the Miraculous Lady of the Aetas. The arrival of the image is also said to be miraculous, as it was found among the Aetas, the indigenous people living there, by priests who are clueless as to how it came to be with the tribe. Ina Poon Bato has a number of devotees, and a number of pilgrims visit the town yearly to pray and ask for her intercession.
Feast of Ina Poon Bato in Botolan
Address: Batolan, Zambales
Takes place: January
5. Love And Light Festival in Sitio Liwliwa
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Note: The last event was held in 2019.
If you believe in or are curious about new-age practices, I feel the Love And Light Festival will be right up your alley. Promoted as one of the biggest spiritual events, this event features activities such as shamanic rituals, aura cleansing, meditations, and yoga. For additional fees, attendees can also get tattoos and massages or try out acupuncture services. Those who will be going to the event are requested to bring their own tents, sleeping bags, or hammocks. Alternatively, they can rent one of the cottages in the venue. They can also bring fruits and vegetables for sharing.
Love And Light Festival
Address: Sitio Liwliwa, San Felipe, Zambales
Takes place: October
6. Olongapo Grand Mardi Gras in Olongapo
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Head over to Olongapo if you want to have a different experience of Mardi Gras from what New Orleans has to offer. Olongapo’s Mardi Gras started in the 1980s, back when the US Naval Base was still operational in the city. The highlight of the event is street dancing, which starts at 6pm and ends just before dawn. As the attendees dance the night away, live bands and comedians provide entertainment. The theme changes yearly, so be sure to check what the theme is during your visit so you don’t end up sticking out like a sore thumb.
Olongapo Grand Mardi Gras (October)
Address: Olongapo, Zambales
Takes place: October
7. Domorokdok Festival in Botolan
This festival is almost like a variety show brought to the streets. The two-day event brings together different activities - beauty contests, street dancing competitions, and music fests. I feel the street dancing, in particular, should not be missed, as competing groups do not only get points for their performance, but also their colorful costumes, so you’re bound to see dancers in creative, eye-catching outfits.
Domorokdok Festival
Address: Botolan, Zambales
Takes place: May
8. Paynauen ‘Duyan’ Festival in Iba
This festival was named after two things: “Paynauen”, the original name of the town, and “duyan”, which is the local term for hammock. Put together, the festival is intended to bring to mind the town as a place of rest. The week-long celebration is marked with a number of activities, including a sand sculpture competition, a street dance parade showcasing the history of the town, a duyan parade, a boat race, kite flying, and a number of other sports-themed activities.
Paynauen ‘Duyan’ Festival
Address: Iba, Zambales
Takes place: April
9. Binabayani Festival in Masinloc
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
“Binabayani” can be loosely translated as “courageous”. This festival in Zambales is an answer to the Ati-Atihan Festival of Aklan, another province in the Philippines. The festival is conducted in honor of Saint Andrew, the town’s patron saint. I think the highlight of the activity is the depiction of a historic battle between the Aetas and the early-day Christians. A dance competition is held annually, with each group vying to present the best version of the war dance that the Binabayani Festival has come to be known for.
Binabayani Festival
Address: Masinloc, Zambales
Takes place: November
10. Subic Karakoa Festival in Subic
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
This festival is held annually every April to honor the warship Karakoa, which was built by the Pintados tribe. The activity is marked with a number of activities, including a motorcade and a parade that features colorful floats. The activity is intended to serve as a complement to the Karakoa Food Festival and the Philippine Motorsports Festival.
Subic Bay FreeportKarakoa Festival
Address: Subic Bay Freeport, Zambales
Takes place: April
Join the festivities in Zambales
Zambales is well-loved for its beautiful beaches and fantastic dive sites, but the province has a lot more to offer besides these fun activities in and by the water. Be sure to go through this list so you can schedule your trip there in time for the festival that most resonates with you.
Traveler's tips
If you're around Negros Oriental, you can attend one of the colorful and lively festivals, the Tawo-Tawo Festival. Dancers danced to a lively drum beat on our city streets and ends with a final showdown at the end of street dancing. Participants are being judged in 2 category the Best in Street Dancing and Best in Showdown. There is also a contest of Higanteng Tawo-Tawo (Giant Scarecrow). The concept of the festival is celebrating bountiful harvest through parading the representations of farming like the carabao as well as the crows or maya birds which are one of the “enemies” of farmers especially during harvest season. In order to drive and scare them away the farmers invented the Tawo-Tawo which means person-person or person like, which we now know as Scarecrow.
History
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