The biggest color festival from India returns to Manila! Asia Society Philippines and SM By the Bay present the 5th annual HOLI FESTIVAL on March 12, 2017 (Sunday) at 3:30 PM at the SM By the Bay North Fountain.
Celebrated in India since ancient times, Holi is a vibrant Hindu festival of colors that is held to mark the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Uniquely characterized by the lively shades of colored powder thrown up in the air (and at fellow festival-goers), the HOLI FESTIVAL is Manila’s own celebration of Indian music, cuisine, and culture.
“This is the fifth year that Asia Society Philippines has hosted the HOLI FESTIVAL in Manila, and every year it gets bigger and bigger—starting from a crowd of hundreds in 2012 to thousands last year. Each year, we also see more and more Filipinos sharing in the festivities with the Indian community. The HOLI FESTIVAL gives the two communities a chance to come together not just to dance and celebrate, but also to learn more about each other. It ties back to Asia Society Philippines’s mission—the HOLI FESTIVAL is a concrete and fun example of Asia Society Philippines’s mission of creating greater understanding between cultures,” shares Suyin Lee, Executive Director of Asia Society Philippines.
In between frenzied countdowns where colored powder, also known as gulal, is thrown, festival-goers get the unique opportunity to dance along to music rarely heard in the country’s music or dance festival scene: Bollywood music. Spun by Indian and local DJs, Hindi film music and signature Holi Festival music will be on blast throughout the day to get festival goers up and moving.
Everyone can dance to the music alongside professional dance groups who will take the stage to show off traditional moves and excerpts from Bollywood films—all while drummers make their way through the crowd to keep up an energetic festival of color.
Cravings for India’s rich and flavorful cuisine will be satisfied by the many food booths featuring both restaurant-made and homemade dishes. Henna tattoo artists and rangoli(colored sand, flour or flower petal art) are also available for younger festival attendees.Popular radio personalities Sam YG and Joyce Pring will host the festival.
The HOLI FESTIVALis organized by Asia Society Philippines and SM By the Bay, in partnership with the Embassy of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, Indian Ladies Club, and SingIndia Music of the Soul. It is sponsored by Air Asia, Incredible India, and Wipro, and supported by New India Assurance.Additional support was provided by Ambica, Bench, Greatvalueplus.ph, Havaianas, and Jockey. ANC, GMA, Barangay LS 97.1, ClickTheCity.com, ManilaIndian.com, and WhenInManila.com serve as media partners.
Tickets are on sale now for Php 200, and will also be available at the festival grounds for Php 250. Tickets are available at all SM Tickets outlets and on smtickets.com.
About Asia Society Philippines
Asia Society Philippines is the sole Southeast Asian center of the 12 centers of Asia Society worldwide. A non-profit organization, Asia Society Philippines seeks to improve greater people-to-people understanding and respect between Asia and the West, between Asia’s many peoples, and among Filipinos. Through its programs in public policy, business, and arts & culture, Asia Society Philippines seeks to make a meaningful contribution in the work towards a more united, peaceful and progressive world. More information about Asia Society Philippines can be accessed at https://asiasociety.org/philippines/about-asia-society.
