Holidays and Celebrations in Korea and the Philippines

Holiday Traditions

Korea

Seollal (Lunar New Year): One of the most important holidays in both North and South Korea, this celebration usually lasts for three days during which Koreans visit family, perform ancestral rights, eat Korean food, play folk games, and wear the traditional hanbok.

Jeongwol Daeboreum (The Great Full Moon Festival): This Korean holiday celebrates the first full moon of the new year with many traditions such as the cracking of nuts, drinking Gwibalgisul, eating other special foods, hiking, playing a traditional “mouse fire” game, and the lighting of bonfires (although this tradition is not as prevalent as it once was).

Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving or Harvest Festival):

Chuseok is celebrated in autumn with the making of special foods such as songpyeon (a rice cake), giving of gifts, and spending time with loved ones.

Independence Movement Day: This celebration on March 1st commemorates one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance on March 1st, 1919, after which an estimated 2 million people attended demonstrations to protest Japanese occupation in the months to follow. Koreans celebrate by displaying flags, attending concerts and events, and visiting Tapgol Park where the Korean Declaration of Independence was first read.

Jeheonjeol (Constitution Day): In commemoration of the signing of the Korean constitution on July 17, 1948, Koreans celebrate this holiday through ceremonies and other events. Gwangbokjeol (National Liberation Day): This holiday is celebrated on August 15th in both North and South Korea. It commemorates the end of Japanese occupation of Korea with ceremonies, parades, and other festivities.

Buddha’s Birthday: The celebration of Buddha’s birthday in the spring is not only a holiday for Buddhists, but all. The occasion is filled with lantern festivals, free meals provided by temples, traditional games, acrobatic and dance shows, and other celebratory events.

Children’s Day: On May 5th, Korea celebrates its youngest citizens with parent and child visits to places like zoos and amusement parks, picnics, and quality time spent as a family since most people have the day off.

Performers in Seoul during Korean New Year. Photo credit: “What’s Stewin’” blog.

in Korea and the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines has a large population of Christians, so holidays such as Christmas and Easter are important to many Filipinos as well as other Christian religious observances such as Festival of the Black Nazarene, Moriones Festival, and other religious celebrations.

Araw ng Kalayaan (Independence Day): Philippine Independence Day is celebrated on June 12th annually commemorating when the Philippines was freed from Spanish rule in 1898. The day is a national holiday and is celebrated with parades and other commemorations.

Pasko (Christmas): The Christmas season in the Philippines lasts several months starting in September and ending with Three Kings Day in January. Christmas festivals and celebrations are elaborate and popular throughout the months both leading up to and during the weeks after December 25th.

Mahal na Araw (Holy Week): With its large Christian population’s impact on the culture, the week before Easter is an important holiday to many Filipinos. Several days throughout the week include religious observances in preparation for the celebration of Easter.

Flores de Mayo (May Flowers Feast): This month-long festival dedicated to the Virgin Mary is commemorated with religious services, processions, and Santacruzan, an elaborate pageant that occurs on the final day of the festival.

Araw ng mga Bayani (National Heroes’ Day): On the last Monday of August, Filipinos commemorate the beginning of the revolt that began the struggle against Spain for Philippine independence. The day celebrates all Philippine heroes, both known and unknown, with parades, military events, and wreath layings.

Araw ni Rizal (Rizal Day): On December 30th, the Philippine national hero José Rizal is celebrated. Dr. Rizal was a writer whose novels lit a fire in the Filipino people and helped to bring about independence from Spain. Though he never fought, he was arrested and executed for treason. The day is a non-working day with somber ceremonies and observances of Rizal’s sacrifice.

All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day: On these first two days of November, many Filipinos travel home to pay respects to their lost loved ones through visits to cemeteries and other places of eternal rest.

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