Bohol's Month-long Fiesta Celebration
Bohol has been known for the famous natural wonders and to name a few, there is the Chocolate Hills in Carmen, the world's smallest primate, Tarsier, the floating restaurant in Loboc and the alluring adventure town in EAT Danao. But there is one thing that Bohol has been known for over decades, guess it was already known before I was conceived and it happens every year in May, Bohol's Month long fiesta celebration.
Every year in May, Boholanos from all over the country and the world goes home for this celebration. In fact, there has been a saying stating that every May, Bohol Island sinks a few inches because of the number or people in the island.
So how does this happen? Coincidentally, most fiestas in Bohol fall in the month of May, so that includes barrio fiestas and town ones as well. My grandma often told me before that anyone can travel the whole month without concerning about food because you can just go in a house, the house host wouldn't mind if you are just strangers, instead they will be more than happy to let you eat inside with them, strictly no invitations needed, everyone is welcome! Though I didn't really believe it at first, they say it was actually true. That was the scenario before, I doubt if the home owners can still do the same today, maybe for some.
When I think of fiesta, what would first come to mind is the food, the lechon (this couldn't be absent!) and the drinks. The discos and the balikbayans who would make sure to come home during this season.
Every year in May, Boholanos from all over the country and the world goes home for this celebration. In fact, there has been a saying stating that every May, Bohol Island sinks a few inches because of the number or people in the island.
So how does this happen? Coincidentally, most fiestas in Bohol fall in the month of May, so that includes barrio fiestas and town ones as well. My grandma often told me before that anyone can travel the whole month without concerning about food because you can just go in a house, the house host wouldn't mind if you are just strangers, instead they will be more than happy to let you eat inside with them, strictly no invitations needed, everyone is welcome! Though I didn't really believe it at first, they say it was actually true. That was the scenario before, I doubt if the home owners can still do the same today, maybe for some.
When I think of fiesta, what would first come to mind is the food, the lechon (this couldn't be absent!) and the drinks. The discos and the balikbayans who would make sure to come home during this season.
Here is an overview of Bohol Fiestas by date, this covers the towns only. Thanks to Bohol.ph for the list, view the site for other information.
| Date | Town | Patron Saint |
| January 16 | Cortes | Santo Niño |
| January 16 | Pres. Garcia | Holy Child |
| January 16 | Valencia | Sr. Santo Niño |
| January 17 | Carmen | Saint Anthony de Abbot |
| January 29 | Ubay | Holy Child |
| Last Saturday of January | Getafe | Holy Infant |
| February 11 | Dagohoy | Our Lady of Lourdes |
| February 11 | K of C - Tagbilaran City | Our Lady of Lourdes |
| April 5 | Bool - Tagbilaran City | Saint Vincent Ferrer |
| April 27 | Corella | Nuestra Señora del Villar |
| May 1 | Tagbilaran City | Saint Joseph the Worker |
| May 3 | Dao - Tagbilaran City | Santa Cruz |
| May 4 | Alburquerque | Santa Monica |
| May 4 | Mabini | Santa Monica |
| May 4 | Sagbayan | San Agustin |
| May 8 | San Miguel | Saint Michael |
| May 10 | Calape | Saint Vincent Ferrer |
| May 15 | Bilar | Saint Isidore the Farmer |
| May 15 | Trinidad | Saint Isidore |
| May 15 | Tubigon | San Isidro Labrador |
| May 15 | San Isidro | Saint Isidore |
| May 19 | Candijay | Saint Joseph |
| May 29 | Talibon | Blessed Trinity |
| June 13 | Sikatuna | Saint Anthony de Padua |
| June 24 | Garcia Hernandez | Saint John the Baptist |
| June 29 | Loboc | Saint Peter the Apostle |
| June 30 | Inabangga | Saint Paul |
| July 16 | Balilihan | Virgin of Carmel |
| July 16 | Taloto - Tagbilaran City | Immaculate Heart of Mary |
| July 25 | Batuan | Saint James |
| July 26 | Alicia | Saint Joachim |
| August 15 | Dauis | Our Lady of Assumption |
| August 16 | Tip-tip - Tagbilaran City | San Roque |
| August 22 | Taloto - Tagbilaran City | Immaculate Heart of Mary |
| August 28 | Sagbayan | San Agustin |
| August 28 | Panglao | San Agustin |
| First Saturday of September | Guindulman | Our Lady of Consolation |
| First Saturday of September | Lindaville - Tagbilaran City | Birhen sa Barangay |
| September 8 | Loon | Our Lady of Light |
| September 10 | Dimiao | Saint Nicolas de Tolentino |
| September 29 | Clarin | Saint Michael |
| September 29 | Jagna | Saint Michael |
| October 7 | Buenavista | Santo Rosario |
| October 7 | Lila | Holy Rosary |
| October 11 | Pilar | Virgen del Pilar |
| October 16 | Cogon - Tagbilaran City | Birhen sa Barangay |
| Last Saturday of October | Antequera | Virgin of the Most Holy Rosary |
| November 24 | Maribojoc | Saint Vincent |
| December 8 | Baclayon | Immaculate Conception |
| December 8 | Catigbi-an | Immaculate Conception |
| December 8 | Duero | Immaculate Conception |
| December 8 | Sierra Bullones | Immaculate Conception |
| December 12 | Sevilla | Virgen of Guadalupe |
| December 12 | Booy - Tagbilaran City | Virgen of Guadalupe |
| December 30 | Danao | Holy Family |
| Movable | Anda | Holy Infant |
| Movable | Bien Unido | Holy Child |
| Movable | Loay | Santisima Trinidad |
This are just the town fiesta and if you notice, the month of May has the most number of fiestas! Again, this excludes the barrios and the barangays.
When I went home last Wednesday, a neighboring barangay celebrated their fiesta, there were variety of shows every night and I got the chance to go out one night and watched their Hip-hop dance competition.
There were six groups and they performed their best out. However, their performances are just so-so for me, well what would you expect? There were no jaw-dropping stunts as well. But they entertained the audiences and that's what was important. Check out the photos:
There were six groups and they performed their best out. However, their performances are just so-so for me, well what would you expect? There were no jaw-dropping stunts as well. But they entertained the audiences and that's what was important. Check out the photos:
Unfortunately, I had to go back to Cebu the next day so I was not able to go to a friend's house for the fiesta, I hope I can attend one within the month.
I will soon post the videos here as well soon!
How do you spend your fiesta?
xoxo,
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