Photo Credit: Richmond Chi

Manila, Philippines - Over 2000 people attended HOLI Festival 2015 last March 1 at SM By the Bay. Organized by the Asia Society Philippines, Embassy of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, SingIndia and Indian Ladies Club, it is the 3rd year the festival has been celebrated in Manila.

Holi is celebrated in the Indian month of Phalgun (March). Originally an agricultural festival, it ushers in the arrival of spring, the season of hope and joy. People imitate the colors of spring by throwing colored powder at each other and up in the air. The throwing of gulal up in the air and at each other symbolizes friendship, unity, and a sense of revelry.

Participants danced to traditional and modern Indian songs, and to the beats of Samba School Imperatriz Filipinense. Performers engaged the crowd by giving workshops on belly dancing, Bhangra, and Bollywood, and inviting participants to come on stage.

Photo Credit: Veejay Calutan

Indian culture and tradition was showcased through the various booths. Holi goers enjoyed activities such as henna tattoo and rangoli making (folk art in which patterns are created on the floor using colored sand), and authentic Indian cuisine from Kashmir, Green Dot, Bollywood, and Kebab Factory.

Holi Festival 2015 was made possible through the the generous sponsorships of SM by the Bay, India Tourism, Esquire Financing, New India Assurance, Ambica, Jockey and Tamber Travels. ABS-CBN News Channel, Travelife, Play FM, Manila Times, Malaya Business Insight, Rappler, WheninManila.com, and Namaste were media partners for the event.