Holi Festival 2016 FAQ
1. What is the Holi Festival?
The Holi Festival is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The Festival of Colours is a celebration of love, laughter, friendship, hope and joy. It is widely known as India’s most colourful festival, and is most commonly celebrated with gulal, coloured powder imitating the colours of spring. Typically celebrated at the first full moon of Phalguna (March) in the Hindu calendar, Holi is a time for people of all ages and walks of life to come out and join in the revelry— to throw colored powder, to sing and dance, and to share food with one another.
Holi has been popularised and is now enthusiastically celebrated all over the world. Asia Society & 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, is bringing Holi to Manila for the 4th year in a row on March 20, 2016, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM at SM by the Bay.
2. What can we expect at the Holi Festival?
Holi 2016 will feature a wide variety of fun Indian cultural activities and performances, including folk & Bollywood songs and dances, live drummers, and DJ. Festival-goers can also throw gulal (the traditional Indian coloured powder), treat themselves to delicious Indian cuisine & festival food, have mehndi (henna) tattoos made, or buy Indian wares from our onsite sellers .
3. Are you accepting volunteers for the Holi Festival?
Volunteer applications are now closed. For those who signed up, please wait for an email confirming your acceptance as a volunteer.
4. Where can I get tickets for the Holi Festival?
Your ticket is inclusive of entrance to the event, gulal or coloured powder, access to activities and freebies, and a chance to win raffle prizes. Tickets are now available for pre-selling at Php 150:
• Visit the Asia Society PH office at 2/F AIM Conference Center, Benavidez cor. Trasierra Sts., Legaspi Village, Makati City, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM from Monday to Friday, and buy your ticket there.
• Reserve your ticket by paying Asia Society via bank deposit or Dragonpay. You may claim your ticket on the day of the festival. Please email [email protected] for Asia Society’s bank details.
• Buy tickets over the counter from SM Tickets outlets. Additional charges may apply.
Tickets will also be available onsite on March 20 for Php 200. You may buy a ticket at the entrance to the event.
5. Are the materials safe to play with?
Yes, the gulal is made from organic materials, and is therefore safe to play with. There will be strictly no throwing of liquids of any sort at the festival itself to ensure the safety of all festival-goers. There will be a tented area for those who do not wish to join in the throwing of and playing with colours.
6. Is the event kid-friendly?
Yes, Holi is open to people of all ages—the young and the young at heart.
7. What can I do to prepare for the event?
There are a variety of online websites that can help you prepare for Holi! Please also note that there will be no bag deposit area, and that Asia Society or SM By the Bay will not be responsible for any loss or damage to your property. Alcohol is also not allowed on festival premises.
We advise you to bring a small bag, wear a white shirt you don’t mind getting colour-stained, and be ready to join in the most fun & colourful festival you will ever experience!
8. Who is Asia Society?
Asia Society Philippines is an NGO that aims to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding and bridge differences across the Philippines, Asia and the United States. We develop cross-sector programs that bring together individuals, companies, policymakers and other non-profits to promote collaboration and understanding of Asia across the fields of policy, business leadership, education and arts and culture.
Follow us @AsiaSocietyPH and stay tuned to #HoliMNL2016.