Holi Festival 2018 in Manila : What To Expect
Holi Festival is an annual Hindu religious festival that is being celebrated in countries like India and Nepal. Luckily, we do not have to travel that far just to celebrate such interesting colorful festivity. Holi has become popular even in Non-Hindus in different parts of the world even here in Philippines. In Manila, this colorful festival has been celebrated since 2013.
What is Holi Festival?
Holi is known as the festival of colors which marks as the arrival of spring, the season of hope and joy. It is being celebrated in India in the month of Phalgun (March).On top of that, the celebration is also being done to signify the victory of good over evil.It is also being celebrated for fun, play, laugh, forget, forgive and also to repair broken relationships.
One distinctive feature of this so-called biggest color festival in India is the use of colored powders known as “Gulal”. The throwing of colorful powders is part of the rituals in Holi Festival which symbolizes friendship, unity, and a sense of revelry. The activity is often accompanied by music and dance.
The Holi Festival 2018 in Manila will be held this coming Sunday (March 18, 2018) at North Fountain, SM by the BAY, MOA from 3:30PM to 7:30 PM. If this is your first time to attend the Holi Festival 2018 Manila, here are the things you must expect from this colorful annual celebration.
Music and Dances
Holi Festival is not just characterized by lively shades of colored powder thrown up in the air. It is also being celebrated with lively music and accompanied by energetic dances. Various performers will grace the stage showcasing some cultural performances, playing traditional songs and dances and other Bollywood-inspired music. There will be Live DJ and celebrity hosts too (last year, the event was hosted by Sam YG and Joyce Pring)
Henna Tattoo
The activities were all related to India. One of them is the free application of Henna Tattoo. Henna Tattoo is actually an ancient body art originated in India. The tattoo has been used for centuries to create beautiful temporary designs on the body.Henna Tattoo or Mehndi, as what the term suggests used the powdered dry leaves of Henna plant. Don’t worry, this is just a temporary tattoo which could only last for a wekk. In addition to that, the ingredients used for the Henna are all natural so you know it is safe to be applied on your skin.
Rangoli
Rangoli is a folk art practiced throughout India. Designs are often drawn on the ground usually in chalk or colored powder and embellished in sand, rice, candles, or flower petals.In the event, the participant will be asked for their preferred pattern. They will be given with the uncolored pattern, a set of colored sand and a glue. Interestingly, Rangoli is also an expression of the creative self, often viewed as the form of self-portraiture. Designs of Rangoli are often based from nature.
The Color Powder
Each Attendee will receive a pack of colored powder which is known as Gulal. You are free to choose which color do you want. The throwing of colorful powders is part of the rituals in Holi Festival which symbolizes friendship, unity, and a sense of revelry. The activity is often accompanied by music and dance. The power is meant to be thrown during each countdown. The event will also throw some packs during the event or you can buy another pack for Php50
The Holi Countdowns
Don’t worry about missing a countdown because there will be multiple countdowns during the event. It was really an entertaining event and one thing I realized about the Indian community, they are seemingly naturally happy people. You can see nothing but their wonderful smile and graceful movements.
Indian Cuisine
The Indian Cuisine is known for their wide range of spices. Indian food is also heavily influenced by religious and cultural choices and traditions. They also serve foods that are specially catered every Holi Festival and of course, celebrating such festival will not be completed without trying their specialties.
Holi Festival 2018 will be held on March 18, 2018 at SM MOA (SM By The Bay) from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
There’s a Pre-selling of tickets at SMTickets.com that allows you to save Php50. The Pre-selling ticket is worth Php 200. You can also buy tickets on site (the actual day) at Php250.
The comfort rooms are limited so you might consider booking a hotel or unless you are willing to go home with quite a colorful mess hehe. Here, you can check some nearby hotels in Pasay. Check Here.
