Binanog Festival

Partying is more fun in the Philippines with its rich cultural festivities. The food, the merrymaking, the dancing, the music, the colors – the country certainly knows how to have fun! One of these fiestas is the Binanog Festival in Iloilo City.

THE BINANOG DANCE. Local performers imitate hawks for their dance ritual.

The Binanog Festival is a yearly festivity that happens from January 10-16 in Lambunao, Iloilo. This event is done in honor of the infant Jesus. It is a celebration that features several activities, dance rituals, performances, and competitions that add fun and color to the festival attracting crowds of locals and tourists for a week-long merriment.

One of the traditional dances showcased here is the Binanog dance of the Panay-Bukidnon ethnic community. The Binanog dance is inspired by the “banog,” a Filipino term for hawk. The dance imitates the movement of a hawk, which makes it an interesting performance to witness.

The dance consists of three forms. One is the “Binanugan,” which is the imitation part, the “Inagong sayaw-sayaw,” which is the celebratory dance, and the last part is the “Dinagmay,” a courtship dance. These ritual dances are made more dynamic with the dancers’ brightly colored costumes and lively beats.

If you want to see more of the Philippines’ culture and heritage, join in its many cultural festivities in various provinces and towns like the Binanog Festival. Party like you’ve never done before. Exchange smiles and share good times with the locals and bring home fond memories when you head back to your home country.

Photo by Jun Fuerte, grabbed from mybeautifuliloilo.blogspot.com