Where everyday is a fiesta

We love fiestas. Fiestas are deeply rooted in our psyche. They are especially marked in our calendars and we really take pains in preparing for them. I remember a neighbor in my hometown of Borongan, Eastern Samar who would borrow money for his gastronomic feasts that he would prepare for his guests mostly relatives and friends coming from neighboring towns. He was an amiable man who has a ready smile for everyone. Soon after the celebration was over loan sharks would pester him. As a child growing up in a small town and pleasantly surrounded by all the activities attendant to fiesta celebrations, fiestas were something that I looked forward to. I joined declamation, dance and singing contests. I used to sing The Impossible Dream when People Power was yet unheard of.

I also remember one story that circulated in the ’70s that every time the beautiful Madam Imelda Romualdez Marcos celebrated the Sto. Niño fiesta in her beloved Tacloban, she refurbished, repainted the streets and grew bougainvilla flowers all over the place where tourists walked by. She also declared libreng pamasahe when you took the boat ride from Manila to Tacloban. She distributed food, opened her house for everyone to celebrate the feast of Sto. Niño.

Today, in Casino Filipino in Pagcor, each day is a fiesta. Think of the fun and excitement of merry-making in the streets, watching band exhibitions, playing traditional Filipino games, appreciating folk dances and other cultural presentations.

These and more are what patrons and guests at the Casino Filipino Tagaytay can enjoy as the branch presents Pinoy Fiesta, until Nov. 4.

The month-long extravaganza is part of a series of events conceptualized by the Entertainment Department of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in line with its thrust of promoting Filipino culture and arts.

PAGCOR AVP for Entertainment Bong Quintana dances the Tinikling

“Our objective is to strengthen national cultural identity, and to promote our homegrown talents,” explained Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s assistant vice president for entertainment.

Bong also disclosed that the Pinoy Fiesta will be launched in other PAGCOR branches.

“Each branch has a line-up of top-caliber Pinoy talents to perform in a series of shows with themes such as Comedy Night, Pinoy Fiesta, Fashion, OPM Night, Celebrity Special, Bandahan Night and Bahala Na (anything goes) which will be held nightly,” he explained.

Casino Filipino Tagaytay, which captures the old-world charm of the 19th century and is one of the very first themed casinos of PAGCOR, was the perfect venue to jumpstart the Pinoy Fiesta event.

During its launch, several activities were held in front of the casino’s entrance. The rain did not stop the festive celebration from happening nor did it dampen the warm mood of the guests.

The Voice of Caridad Drums and Bugle Corps opened the event with a band exhibition while the Virtuos Dancers entertained the local and foreign audiences with their performance of Pinoy folk dances.

Meanwhile, patrons also got to join the traditional “Pabitin”, and enjoyed tasting native delicacies prepared by the branch.

Leading the festive celebration were Casino Filipino Tagaytay GM Dario Cordero and senior marketing officer Bong Florencio.

Meanwhile, other PAGCOR branches like Mimosa, Olongapo, Davao, Hyatt and Cebu held their own launching of the Pinoy Fiesta last Oct. 1. Behind the success of this endeavor are branch manager Fidel Fuentes and SMO Aurelia Pamintuan for Mimosa; GM Ernesto Francisco and SMO Lovejoy Dondoy for Olongapo; BM Arthur Malatag and acting Casino host Francisco Villanueva for Davao; GM Andres Lizares and Casino host Gerlie Bonleon for Hyatt and acting GM Roque Cervantes and senior administrative manager Grace Santamaria for Cebu.