March 24: Ramos Town Fiesta
This year’s festivities at Ramos town in Tarlac province will culminate with a thanksgiving Mass, grand parade and a teachers’ night.
Ramos, with a population of 21,350, was formerly a barrio of Paniqui town named Bani.
Its main source of livelihood is farming.
March 24 to 28: Paraw Festival
The fishing and farming industries take center stage in the third Paraw (colorful sailboats) Festival in Alaminos City, Pangasinan province.
In 2017, the festival was launched to recapture the days when the city thrived on farming and fishing, and when fishermen used sailboats that were indigenous to the city and neighboring towns. Among the highlights of the festival are the “paraw” race, paraw sail painting contest and the Talaba (oyster) Ihaw-Ihaw Festival.
March 25 to 28: Kite Festival
One of the most-awaited festivities at Sipalay City in Negros Occidental province, the kite competition features colorful kites of various shapes and sizes flying the skies.
The competition is held along the shores of Poblacion Beach. The festival won as best tourism event in the sports category in the 2017 Pearl Awards organized by the Department of Tourism and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines.
Compiled by Kathleen de Villa, Inquirer Research