Celebrating the merry month of May

It is in fact inherent in every Filipino to observe tradition set by Spanish influence for the innate desire to celebrate God along with a very long list of Roman Catholic saints within the month of May.

Although feast days or "fiesta" celebrations are scattered within the year, it is May that provides the best setting, taking into consideration the country's hot summer climate. It was also when children sent off to study in the cities return to their homes to enjoy their vacation or it could be just the natural flare of Filipinos for merry-making.

To cite, the "Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz" is celebrated within the month. The Santacruzan is a glamorous display of status and style, showcasing beautiful Filipinas dressed according to the description of the Litany, with of course the belle of the procession, the "Reyna Elena." It is a re-enactment of the long crusade in search of the Holy Cross in the belief of its healing powers.

The feast of Santa Clara, Nuesta Señora de Calamba and San Pascual are also observed in May, the three mentioned comprise the saints revered by the people of Obando, Bulacan, thus the "Sayaw sa Obando".

The famous fertility rite, Sayaw sa Obando, is so-called because the favor fervently asked is for a child by a barren couple or in thanksgiving for prayers granted. The women would put on their bright-colored mestiza dresses, complete with "buri" hats and fans. Men and women line up the streets, in even numbers, and sway to the song and beat. The "Bayluhan" is a religious rite in honor of San Pascual de Baylon.

The "Subli", a dance portion of a devotion performed in honor of "Mahal na Poong Santa Cruz", a large crucifix made of wood with the face of the sun in silver at the center, is a long-fixed sequenced prayer-worship common in Bauan, Batangas. The male dancers make freewheeling stances of leaps and martial arts-like movements, a display of skill and dexterity used to oftentimes woo the ladies, while striking the ground with their "kalaste" (wooden bamboo clappers in their hands). The women circle in half-toe, performing the "talik" (small refined gestures with wrists and fingers), their fingers grazing the small-brimmed hats and "alampay" (triangular scarf worn loosely over their shoulder or waist). They dance and sing to the rhythm beaten out by a stick on the "tugtugan", a goblet-shaped, footed drum of "lanka" wood with a head made of iguana skin.

The latest trend in celebrating the festivities, most especially concentrated in the Central Visayas area, are festivals. These are well researched traditional or contemporary dances with origins surrounding local religious practices or correlated with local products or legends, a feat arising from the changing times and demands of local tourism.

Other highlight of the festivities include lavish array of native food with the "lechon" as centerpiece, the local "Perya" (carnival and local casino), "Sabungan" (cockpit) and "Palaro" parlor games.

It's quite amazing that the new generation is picking up with old tradition. As Catholics, we will always be Filipino in style, finding time in celebrating the fiesta, a culture so rich that it earns us the envy of our Asian neighbors. For truly we are the blessed people of the Orient.