January
Festival Event
New Year’s Day
DATE
January 1
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
All Municipalities
Yearly, Ivatans attend midnight mass to celebrate the start of the new year. Churches like Mahatao & Ivana present the traditional “KOMETA” as a symbol of the coming new year.
Festival Event
Sto. Niño Festival) Kapangarek du Sto. Niño
DATE
January 1 & 6
TYPE
Religious Cultural
VENUE
Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan & other barangays of Batanes
Initiated by the church & lay leaders, the image of Sto. Nino is brought to all Ivatan homes accompanied by the church choir, monaguillos musiko banda & pastoral officials for the day. Homeowners share food & cash gifts which the parishioners will partake and share in the parish after all the homes had been visited. Event has been practiced since the Spanish period.
Festival Event
Sto. Tomas de Aquinas Fiesta
DATE
January 28
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Savidug, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Food is served in every household, visitors are very much welcome to join the merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Kapaymuha su uvi
DATE
3rd week of January to February
TYPE
Cultural
VENUE
Province wide
Start of the traditional planting season of the famous Ivatan staple food UVI (yam) & DUKAY (tugue). One can still observe and experience the traditional planting rites & practices in Mahatao.
February
Festival Event
Our Lady of Lourdes Feast
DATE
February 11
TYPE
Religious Cultural
VENUE
Kayhuvukan & Diura Fishing Village
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Arts Month
DATE
February
TYPE
School activity
VENUE
Dep-Ed Schools
Department of Education, in collaboration with the Provincial Government, commemorates the celebration of the National Arts month through dance and music participated in by different schools in Batanes. There are painting contests and theatrical shows.
Festival Event
Saint Dominic College Week
DATE
2nd or 3rd week of February
TYPE
School activity
VENUE
SDC campus
The only private college in the province commemorates the college week. Week-long event features search of Mr. & Ms. SDC, field demonstration, and dance contests. This activity usually ends on Valentines Day as school officials & students gather for Valentine Party & Dance.
March
Festival Event
Sto. Tomas de Aquinas Fiesta
DATE
March 7
TYPE
Religious & Cultural
VENUE
Kaychanarianan, Basco
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Jose Fiesta
DATE
March 19
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Raele, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino Folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Kapavanuvanua
DATE
1st week of March
TYPE
Cultural
VENUE
Sitio Diura, Mahatao
The Festival Marks the start of the fishing season of the arayu (Dorado). Fisherfolks perform a ritual called “kapayvanuvanua” by butchering a pig and offering food to the spirits to pray for a bountiful fishing season and safety while at sea.
April
Festival Event
Kapandidibang
DATE
February-April
TYPE
VENUE
Fishing season for the dibang (Flying Fish). The dibang are migratory fishes coming to Batanes waters during the end of the winter cold months. The Sumuho, a group of three fishermen, will go and fish the dibang in the evening using gas-pumped ight to attract flying fishes. The one assigned to catch the flying fish uses a small net called the Manido. To date, more people are using the long net to catch dibang.
Festival Event
Sta. Ines de Monte Policiano
DATE
April 20
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Nakanmuan, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Vicente Ferrer Fiesta
DATE
April 27
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Sabtang, Batanes
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
May
Festival Event
San Jose Obrero Fiesta
DATE
May 1
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Ivana, Batanes
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Antonio de Folrencia Fiesta
DATE
May 10
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Uyugan Centro, Batanes
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Nuestra Senora de Fatima Fiesta
DATE
May 13
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Malakdang, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Isidro Labrador Fiesta
DATE
May 15
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Sitio Yauran, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
June
Festival Event
San Antonio de Padua Fiesta
DATE
June 13
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
San Antonio, Basco
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
SDC Foundation Day
DATE
June 20
TYPE
School Activity
VENUE
SDC Basco
Saint Dominic College, the only private college in the province, was founded on June 20, 1968 by Most Reverend Mario Balatazar, OP. for Ivatan students to have access to low cost but quality education. The school commemorates this day with various religious and school-based activities and alumni homecoming.
Festival Event
Batanes Day
DATE
June 20-26
TYPE
Religious & Cultural
VENUE
Batanes
A weeklong celebration to commemorate the establishment of the civil and religious authority during the Spanish period highlighted by cultural, religious activities and cultural demonstration. Agro-Industrial fair and sports activities are also held. This commemorates how the Ivatans have become a sturdy survivor of history, more united, more established and closer to the world through dances, songs and rituals. It’s an official non-working holiday for the entire province.
July
Festival Event
San Joaquin Fiesta
DATE
July 26
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
San Juaquin, Basco
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Kapanganus
DATE
Full Moon of the Month
TYPE
Cultural
VENUE
Ivana, Batanes
During this season, small squid fishes come ashore as the face of the moon becomes full. People usually come as the moon rises and light the Ivana shore to pick anus (squid).
August
Festival Event
Sto. Domingo de Guzman Fiesta
DATE
August 8
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Basco, Batanes
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Sta Rosa de Lima Fiesta
DATE
August 23
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Chavayan, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Sta Rosa Fiesta
DATE
August 30
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Kaychinatuan, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
September
Festival Event
Sta. Maria Immaculada Fiesta
DATE
September 8
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Kayvaluganan, Basco
Marapuy, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
October
Festival Event
Sta. Teresita de Nino Hesus Fiesta
DATE
October 1
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Sinakan, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Our Lady of the Rosary Fiesta
DATE
October 7
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Chanarian-Tukon, Basco
Sta Maria, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Luis Beltran Fiesta
DATE
October 10
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Sumnanga, Sabtang
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
San Rafael Fiesta
DATE
October 24
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Idjang, Itbayat
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
Festival Event
Kuyab and Valichit season
DATE
October
TYPE
VENUE
Batanes
These migratory birds come to the islands during this month moving away from the winter season in the northern hemisphere. These birds usually stay in the island for a month of two before moving southwards.
November
Festival Event
Araw da nu Sasantos
DATE
November 1
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Batanes
Ivatans on this day will remember their dead family members. Masses are held in the cemeteries while people visit the tombs of their departed loved ones to light candles or offer flowers.
Festival Event
San Carlos Borromeo Fiesta
DATE
November 4
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Mahatao, Batanes
Religious Fiesta, featuring the religious theater shows e.g gozos, sagalas, mañivayvatan and mañispanol. & the different traditional Filipino Folk dances & other entertainment for the public to enjoy. Every household serves food. Visitors are very much welcome to enjoy the food and merry making. Novenary masses were held prior to the feast day for its faithful to be spiritually prepared.
December
Festival Event
Misa de Gallo
DATE
December 16-24
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Batanes
Features the daily dawn masses in preparation for the Christmas day celebration.
Festival Event
Misa de Gloria (Midnight Mass)
DATE
December 24 Midnight
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Batanes
Features the midnight mass to commemorate the birth of Christ. Churches in Batanes usually during the singing of the “Gloria,” a lantern or a star locally known as “kometa” makes its way from the choir loft near the church entrance to the altar to symbolize the star of Bethlehem.
Festival Event
Christmas Day
DATE
December 25
TYPE
Religious
VENUE
Batanes
Masses were held on this day to celebrate the Christmas day. Ivatan children usually visit their Godparents for their blessing by gesturing “kapaymanu” or placing their godparent’s hands in their forehead. This day, some parishes will bring the Sto. Nino images to homes accompanied by church choir and a local music band. The homeowners share food and gifts to the choir and band members and the children joining the said group.
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