17/08/2025
| When Culture Speaks: Why August’s Festivities Matter to Every Filipino
Every August, the Philippines bursts into a vibrant tapestry of colors, music, and flavors. From districts and barangays to cities and provinces, Filipinos celebrate fiestas to remember the past, keep the Filipino spirit alive, and honor their traditions and beliefs.
Festivals have a way of bringing people together. Streets fill with decorations, everyone lends a hand, and for a few days, it feels like the whole community is one big family. Children dance to traditional music, elders share old legends, and friends enjoy food like there’s no tomorrow. It’s more than fun—it’s culture in action.
Take Kadayawan, for example—it’s like the ultimate community hug. Held every third week of August (this year, from August 8–17, 2025), it is rooted in indigenous thanksgiving rituals from Davao’s Lumad and Moro tribes. Over the years, it has grown into a grand celebration showcasing the diverse cultures of the city’s ethnic groups, including the Bagobo, Manobo, T’boli, and Mandaya. The festival stands as a symbol of peace, unity, and pride in the region’s rich heritage.
These celebrations also keep traditions alive. Whether it’s cooking the same recipes our grandparents perfected, wearing handwoven outfits, or performing dances passed down for generations, festivals ensure our heritage is lived, not just read about in history books.
Festivals also help our country thrive. Many tourists travel to different parts of the Philippines during these events, providing a boost for local businesses and creating opportunities for small vendors, artisans, and performers. This is why festivals matter—they are not simply economic drivers, but cultural lifelines.
As Filipinos, we have the privilege and responsibility to keep these traditions alive. When culture speaks, it tells us who we are, where we came from, and where we are headed. And in listening, we strengthen not just our identity, but also our unity as a nation.
Written by Mary Faith Aldover - Editor-in-Chief, The Quill