Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday of the Holy Week that ends on Easter Sunday. But in the Philippines “Mardi Gras” refers to a street carnival that’s celebrated during other times of the year, not during Lent.
First, the pronunciation. In English, we say Mardee Grah without pronouncing the “s” but Filipinos say Mardi Gras with the “s” pronounced. Except for the street parade with loud costumes, the two celebrations are not that related except in the orign of the term. Americans and other foreigners in the Philippines saw the Ati-Atihan dancing parades (there was an annual one in Olongapo City held in front of the main gate of Subic Bay Naval Base) which reminded them of the Mardi Gras celebrations in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. Before you know it, the locals were calling their colorful street parades Mardi Gras as well, except they pronounced it the Filipino way.
There are four big Philippine festivals that are sometimes referred to as Mardi Gras.
the Ati-Atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan – January
the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo – January
the Sinulog Festival of Cebu – January
the MassKara Festival of Bacolod – October
It’s no coincidence that the first three are in January. They are Santo Niño festivals celebrating the Christ Child. The patron of Cebu is the Santo Niño and it was a big deal to the locals when a replica of his statue was given to Iloilo a half century ago, which started the tradition of Dinagyang. You see, Iloilo and Aklan are both provinces on the island of Panay, and according to historical folklore it was devotion to the Holy Child that saved the island from Muslim raiders during Spanish rule some 300 years ago. Filpinos love Baby Jesus!
As for MassKara, this festival was started only in 1980 as a response to hard economic times in the Negros region in which Bacolod is the biggest city. A local artist coined the name; it sounds like the Tagalog word for “mask” and that’s what the celebrants wear when they dance in the streets.
Regardless of what these festivals are called, they are fun things to participate in. The locals appreciate the tourist dollars and the visitors get their craving for exotic culture sated. Everyone enjoys!
MGA KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
Mardi Gras: Martes ng Pananalangin sa mga bansang Katoliko
Mardi Gras: umaatikabong pagsasayá sa araw na ito
