write a letter to your foreign friend describing about any festival that is celebrated in your community

Hi my Friend!

I hope you are fine today. New Year has passed but our country is getting ready for another sets of celebration. January is a month of colorful festivals here in the Southeast Asia. I am currently in the Philippines with my family to witness their devotion and celebration of their patron, baby Jesus or much known as Sto. Niño. Sto. Niño (Baby Jesus) is recognized by many places here in the Philippines such as Cebu, Bulacan, Iloilo, Manila, Aklan and Agusan. Almost all archipelagos in the Philippines are involved.

One of the best and international recognized festival is knows as Sinulog Festival, which is being celebrated in the heart of Visayas, Cebu City. You can expect people to fill up the streets, while they are dancing their hearts out wearing their colorful costumes and smiles. When you get tired of dancing, you can watch the big and grand float parades which involves biggest firms, personalities and institutions in the country. The float parade is a contest and it involves big prizes for the participants. There are also trade fares which features Cebu's finest products, which you cannot see or buy anywhere but in Cebu only. Sinulog is always grand and being considered as one of Cebu's finest tourist attraction.

Another is what we call, Ati-Atihan. Ati-Atihan is being celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan which is in Visayas group of islands. It is being celebrated every 3 rd week of January, along with other Sto. Niño feasts. The difference of this festivals among other festivals tourists can participates and dance along with other street dancers in their grand costumes. What tourists can get from this is the actual experience of the ethnic people from the ancient times. The dancing being executed on the streets are from the culture and beliefs of "Ati" people how they worshipped baby Jesus since the Spanish Era, more than a century ago. Aside from the dancing, tourists can enjoy various programs that are being prepared by the local government with known Filipino celebrities. There are beauty pageants,

bazaars, food stalls and Hydro / Disco night everywhere. This is surely one event that a traveller shouldn't miss when he visits the Philippines during these times.

The Philippines Festivals only shows that Filipino people has a rich culture that would make everyone smile and learn. These events provide unforgettable experiences to those who would be willing to a part of it. Hopefully, you can come here someday to witness these grand and happy festivals.

Sincerely yours,

Henry