Anihan Festival in Iloilo

September 2, 2010 · Posted in Philippine Festivals

Anihan Festival is a thanksgiving celebration that expresses gratefulness for a bountiful harvest which happens every 27th of September in Iloilo City, Philippines. It symbolizes of being triumphant against hardships and trials during lean months. Anihan festival commemorates the feast of Saint Jerome, Iloilo’s Patron Saint.

Iloilo City especially the municipality of Dueñas is rejoicing for being a rich agricultural area where agriculture is the main source of livelihood. About 86% of their total land area is devoted to agriculture. Infact, Dueñas is among of the top ten municipalities having large products of agricultural crops, and rice is an example of it.

During Anihan Festival, a parade will be conducted to add color of the festivity and there are different tribes with their muses competing for street dancing that mirrors the way of living of the people of Dueñas such as practice, customs, and traditions, before and during the harvest season.

Other activities include LGU Day, Benefit Dance, concelebrated mass, Coronation Night of the Fiesta Queen agro-industrial fair, food festival, garden show, showcasing an array of ornamental plants, native delicacies, and flourishing agriculture in the municipality, and the Laro ng Lahi which features a fun run during the LGU Day.