The Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan, dates back over 800 years and originally started as a pagan celebration by the Aeta (Ati) people before being Christianized by the Spanish to honor the Santo Niño (Child Jesus). It began as a peace pact between Malay settlers from Borneo and the native Aeta, who received gifts in exchange for land.
The festival is famous for its vibrant street dancing, tribal music, and colorful costumes, with participants covering their faces in black soot to honor the Ati people. Dubbed the "Mother of All Philippine Festivals," Ati-Atihan inspired other major celebrations like Sinulog in Cebu and Dinagyang in Iloilo
. Every third Sunday of January, locals and tourists join the festivities, chanting “Hala Bira!” while dancing to pulsating drumbeats in a spectacular display of faith, culture, and tradition. 
In my previous posting from Hubpages.com, I wrote that the Philippines is a Nation of festivals. Here's a summary and the link for your reading pleasure.
The Philippines is the only nation in the world that has festivals every month of the year? It is also a nation that has the longest Christmas season in the world, almost 4.5 months starting from September 1 to the first week of January.
https://discover.hubpages.com/travel/the-philippines-nation-of-fiestas-and-festivals
Lastly, Benguet Province was previously known as the El Dorado of the Philippines
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