The Visayan Islands in central Philippines has a lot more to offer beyond their tranquil forests, pristine beaches, stunning natural attractions, and historical sites. A trip to any of these islands is not complete without experiencing that particular island’s trademark festivals. Time your visit to Cebu, Iloilo, and Aklan with each of these islands’ festivals and you are in for a wonderful treat.

Cebu’s most awaited and liveliest festival is the Sinulog, a feast honoring the child Jesus (the island’s patron saint). Held every third Sunday in January, Sinulog is a festival of elaborately costumed performers dancing to a rhythm that mimic a river’s current, which translates to ‘sulog’ in the local vernacular. The festival is also marked by endless shouts of “Long live the Christ Child” and “Pit Senyor”. Sinulog is open to everyone who wants to join the festivities, Catholic or otherwise.

Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival is also held in honor of the young Jesus or Sto. Nino. The festival also celebrates the conversion of the province’s natives to Christianity during the early years of Spain’s occupation of the Philippines. Dinagyang is a very lively festival characterized by foot stomping street shows performed by dancers whose bodies are painted black and decorated by different designs of bright colors. Dinagyang is held a week after Cebu’s Sinulog.

The Maskara Festival is another of Iloilo’s famous street parties. The festival, which translates to Mask Festival, is held in Bacolod City and characterized by street dancing and yes, lots of colorful masks.

Aklan also has its version of Sinulog and Dinagyan. The Ati-Atihan is the province’s biggest festival and it is celebrated for same reasons as the previous two. Held on the second weekend of January, the festival is a three-day mardi gras that features black-painted warriors clad in colorful native attire. Spectators, locals and tourists alike, are encouraged and expected to join in by shouting the festivities’ trademark phrases: “Viva Sto. Nino” and “Hala Bira.”

Visayas is one of the best summer destinations in the country. It fits the cliché of the sun-soaked paradise with its pristine beaches, turquoise waters and enchanting natural surroundings. In terms of history, this part of the Philippines is just as rich as the other islands in the country.

The region is composed of several islands so expect to spend most of your holiday on the beach or going on ferry rides to get to one place to another. Everywhere you look, there’s bound to be a magnificent beach or coral reef to entice you to stick around and stay.

There are nine major islands in Visayas – Bohol, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, Panay, Negros, Guimaras, Romblon and Siquijor. It will take weeks for you to explore each one and selecting just one destination can be a challenge as each province has its own charm. For every island, a different language is spoken so it would feel like you’re in a different world altogether. Thankfully, a lot of people can speak and understand English so if you’re coming from another part of the globe, you can easily get help from the accommodating natives.

If you want a typical holiday, head for Boracay – an island that seems like a world of its own with its happening night life. It’s probably the most popular holiday destination in the region, welcoming thousands of tourists regardless of the season. If you’re one who wants a different kind of holiday, going from barrio to barrio will allow you to immerse in the area’s rich culture. You can even visit Siquijor, the black magic island – known to be the home of faith healers and witches.

The best way to explore the islands is to start your tour at the tip of Bicol where you can ride a ferry to Samar, then down to Leyte. Make a stop in Cebu for its historic sites and beaches, Bohol for the infamous Chocolate Hills, Panay, Negros and then Boracay to relax and unwind before you head back home.