Holi Festival 2019 - Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Holi Festival?
The Holi Festival is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. The Festival of Colors is a celebration of love, laughter, friendship, hope and joy. It is widely known as India’s most colorful festival, and is most commonly celebrated with gulal, colored powder imitating the colors 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 sing and dance with each other, to share food, and the hope of brighter days ahead. Holi has been popularised and is now enthusiastically celebrated all over the world.
Asia Society Philippines & SM by the BAY, in partnership with the Embassy of India, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce, and Indian Ladies Club, bring Holi to Manila for the 7th year in a row on March 31, 2019, from 3:30 to 7:30 PM at SM By the Bay North Fountain.
2. How do I get to the venue?
The Festival will be held at the North Fountain of SM By The Bay (beside Vikings). You can walk from the main mall area. If you are bringing a car with you, take J.W. Diokno Boulevard and turn left at Seaside Boulevard. Pay parking spaces are readily available in the area. You can also conveniently find parking spaces using the “SM Car Park” app, downloadable from Google Playstore and App Store.
3. What can I expect in this year’s Holi Festival?
This year, Asia Society Philippines offers you the biggest, brightest, and boldest Holi Festival in Manila yet! Aside from the Holi countdown, there will be a 3KM FUN RUN. The festival will also feature a wide variety of fun Indian cultural activities and performances, including folk and Bollywood songs and dances, live drummers, and DJs. Festival-goers can also throw colored powder, treat themselves to delicious Indian cuisine and festival food, have mehndi (henna) tattoos made, or buy Indian wares from our onsite sellers.
4. Where can I buy tickets to Holi 2019?
Tickets are available now at any SM Tickets outlets. You can also buy onsite on March 31, 2019 at the entrance of the event. Tickets are priced at Php650 for Runners and Php300 for Non-runners.
Non-runners ticket is inclusive of entrance to the event, colored powder, access to activities and freebies (henna tattoo, photobooth, and rangoli), and a chance to win raffle prizes.
Runners ticket is inclusive of entrance to the event, colored powder, access to activities and freebies (henna tattoo, photobooth, and rangoli), and a chance to win raffle prizes. As well as running singlet, race bib, and finisher’s medal.
Children aged 5 years and below can join the fun for free.
5. Is this event open for all?
Yes! #HoliMNL2019 is open for everyone!
6. Is the event kid-friendly?
Yes, Holi is open to people of all ages—the young and the young at heart.
7. What time do gates open?
Gates will open at 2:30 PM.
8. Can I bring food and drinks from outside?
No. Food and drinks will be available and sold within the Festival premises. There will be an assortment of Indian as well as non-Indian food stalls.
9. Will there be a baggage area?
Yes, but please note that the organizers will not be held liable for any lost or stolen items.
10. Are we allowed to bring in cameras?
Yes! Don’t forget to tag @AsiaSocietyPH and use #HoliMNL2019 in your photos.
11. What can I not bring inside the venue?
For a complete list of prohibited items inside the venue, please refer below:
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Outside food and drinks
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Metal and glass containers
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Umbrellas
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Studded, spiked, or chained fashion items and accessories
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Weapons or explosives
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Fireworks or sparklers
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Sharp objects
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Laser lights or pens
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Alcohol and illegal substances
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Folding, portable, or camping chairs
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Tripods
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Drones
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Any other item deemed by staff to be a potential safety hazard
12. Is the colored powder safe?
Yes, the colored powder is made from cornstarch and food-grade coloring and is therefore safe to play with.
13. Can I bring my own colored powder?
No, you cannot bring your own colored powder as it will be made available on site.
14. Can I opt out of the color throwing?
Yes, you can stay in the tented areas if you do not wish to participate in the color throwing.
15. Am I allowed to go on stage during the Holi Festival?
Unfortunately, you cannot go on stage during the event as it is reserved for performers and other live acts.
16. What happens if it rains?
The Festival will go as scheduled, come rain or shine.
17. Will there be a first aid tent at the Holi Festival?
Your safety is one of our primary concerns! A first aid tent and first aid responders will be present on site. You can also use the “Lifeline Hotline” app, downloadable from Google Playstore and App Store.
18. Where exactly will the fun run be held?
There will be a specific route for the run located near the North Fountain at SM by the Bay. Please refer to the diagram below.
19. What time will the fun run start?
Be prepared to get wet and beat the heat! Gun start for the fun run is at 4 PM.
20. Who is Asia Society Philippines?
Asia Society Philippines is an NGO that aims to strengthen relationships, deepen understanding and bridge differences across the Philippines, Asia and the West. 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.