Celebrating Cordillera’s Festival of Festivals 2025

Blog Updated on October 25, 2025 by Aldrick ‘chiki’ Agpaoa

Cordillera Festival of Festivals 2025 Overview

In its 4th year, the Cordillera Festival of Festivals is once again showcasing the rich culture and heritage of the Cordillera Region through a celebration of dance and merrymaking. It is a show where the region’s premier festivals come and diverge in one place, celebrating the Cordilleras’ identity. Here are some of the highlights of the participating festivals for Cordillera Festival of Festivals 2025!

Read also: My Panagbenga 2025 Experience

Kawayan Festival (Abra)

During Abra’s Foundation Day, the Kawayan Festival is celebrated to give importance to the bamboo, which is a vital product engrained in Abra’s rich history. The bamboo is linked to the province’s culture, survival, and community-building activities vital in shaping Abra’s identity today.

Say-am Naya Apayao (Apayao)

Say-am Naya Apayao is a cultural festival celebrated in the northernmost province of the Cordilleras – Apayao! This is also to celebrate the founding anniversary of the province every February 14. The focus of this festival is all about community and connection with nature.

“Say-am” comes from the Isnag term for “festival,” with a deep connection to the province’s agricultural practices. Similar to Baguio’s Panagbenga Festival, Say-am Naya Apayao is also celebrated to thank the spirits and deities on their bountiful harvest and also to ask for sustenance for the next planting season.

Adivay Festival (Benguet)

Adivay is a popular festival in the province of Benguet which refers to “coming together in a festive mood, exchanging pleasantries, offerings, and celebrating with food and drinks.” Termed as “Alibay” by the Kankana-eys and “Allibay” by the Kalanguyas, Adivay is celebrated every November which gives homage to Benguet’s rich culture, history, arts, and trade.

Gotad Ad Ifugao (Ifugao)

Gotad Ad Ifugao is a tribal community festival celebrating Ifugao’s rich culture and strong community ties. ‘Gotad’ is always held coinciding with the province’s founding anniversary which features traditional dances and rituals that honor their indigenous identity. It is also a rich showcase of the province’s agricultural products, from their famous race terraces that then shows their sense of community.

Lang-Ay Festival (Mountain Province)

Lang-Ay Festival’s Begnas Di Bauko is celebrated with gongs, chants, and dancing, preparing their offerings for Kabunyan. This festival is also celebrated with bountiful food that is shared with everyone in the community. This ritual is either celebrated for spiritual healing or to get rid of bad spirits, community ‘cleansing’ after devastating disasters, or as a thanksgiving ritual for their bountiful harvest.

Panagbenga Festival (Baguio City)

Celebrated every February in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, the Panagbenga Festival is one of the more popular festivals in the country. Celebrating the bountiful harvest of the Cordilleras, ‘Panagbenga’ is derived from the Kankana-ey term for “Season of Blossoming.”

Bodong Festival (Kalinga)

As a continuation of the Ulalim Festival, the Bodong Festival is also a cultural celebration held every February to honor Kalinga’s rich heritage and commemorate the bodong peace pact tradition – a symbol of unity among the tribes found within Kalinga.

Matagoan Festival (Tabuk City)

Meaning “life-giving” in the local Kalinga dialect, Matagoan Festival is celebrated annually to celebrate Tabuk City’s founding anniversary. It is a celebration of the diversity of the different tribes of Tabuk (and Kalinga) coming as one in this Festival. Also included in the celebration of this festival is the renewal of the “Bodong” or peace pact among different Kalinga tribes.

What else to expect in Cordillera Festival of Festivals 2025

In celebration of the different Cordillera Festivals of the Region, a Market Exhibit at Malcolm Square opened last 23 October and will be open until 26 October 2025. Local Cordilleran producers came together to bring the Cordilleran culture close to everyone – through their province’s native products! This is also a great chance to support our local entrepreneurs and to help promote Cordilleran products to everyone! Haggiyo!

*Note that the places, prices, and information written as of publication date and time are true and are given best during my visit. Changes may occur without prior notice. If you notice any changes to the information given above, you can e-mail me here so we can dish things up!*

We’re born to travel!