Fiesta in the Philippines

FIESTA  IN THE PHILIPPINES 

By: Riona Patindol

THERE IS ALWAYS A FIESTA (FESTIVAL) GOING ON SOMEWHERE IN THE PHILIPPINES AS EVERY CITY AND BARRIO HOLDS AT LEAST ONE EACH YEAR. THE FIESTA IS USUALLY TO HONOR THE LOCAL ROMAN CATHOLIC PATRON SAINT AND PAY HOMAGE TO THE BARRIO'S NAMESAKE FOR GOOD HARVEST AND HEALTH. IT IS A MIXTURE OF BOTH PAGAN AND CATHOLIC BELIEFS. THESE FIESTAS ARE MARKED BY FEASTING AND CELEBRATION OF HOLY MASS, MUSIC, DANCE AND SONG. THE PLAZA AROUND THE CHURCH  

IS DECORATED WITH COLORFUL BUNTINGS SUDDENLY THE PLAZA IS TRANSFORMED INTO A MINI-MARKET WHERE READY-MADE CLOTHES, TOYS, FRUITS, AND NATIVE DELICACIES ARE SOLD. A BRASS BAND PLAYS AFTER THE MASS AND THEN MAKES A ROUND OF THE IMMEDIATE VIVINITY PLAYING POPULAR FILIPINO SONGS, MARCHES AND KUNDIMANS. THIS SETS A HAPPY, FESTIVE MOOD IN THE COMMUNITY WITH RESIDENTS GOING ON SPLURGE ENTERTAINING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS FROM OTHER TOWNS.  

THE TOWN FIESTA IS AN EVENT THAT THE RESIDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO. THREE OR FOUR MONTHS BEFORE THE FIESTA THE FAMILY TAKES GOOD CARE OF A PIGLET AND CHICKENS EARMARKED FOR THE FIESTA. OF COURSE, THE FIESTA IS AN OCCASION WHEN FRIENDS AND RELATIVES CAN BE TOGETHER, ENJOY EACH EXPERIENCES AND PARTAKE OF THE PALATABLE DISHES PREPARED OTHER'S ACCOUNT OF THE PAST YEAR'S FOR A DAY. CHILDREN LIVING OUT-OF-TOWN MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO COME HOME AND BE WITH THEIR PARENTS, RELATIVES, AND FRIENDS FOR THE FIESTA.