Nothing comes close to the extravagance and merriment in barrios when fiestas are celebrated. Strongly associated with religion and a sense of tradition, the fiestas remain for richer or poorer. Hence, despite representations made in the past by a former senator to abolish the fiestas under the pretext that they are a waste of time and money, our fiestas continue to be celebrated. It is hard to remove something that makes the people happy. It is a time when the local folks gather, have fun together and celebrate something in common, and this is often having a good harvest. It is a tradition strongly tied to the beginnings of that people; historically, during the early periods of Spanish colonization and Christianization, the Spanish priests would beckon on the people to gather and worship through the ringing of the church bells. The concept of “community” and “parish” then was the group made up of residents within the hearing distance of the church bell. This regular activity helped the Spaniards successfully convert the townspeople into Christianity during a short span of time. Hence, every community has a Catholic patron saint whose feast they celebrate during their annual fiesta.
The National Center for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) catalogues many festivals in the Philippines, some of which many Filipinos are not aware of because they are not in the usual lists of local festivals. This agency, under the leadership of its Executive Director Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and Chairperson (DepEd Undersecretary) Vilma L. Labrador, has graciously supported this columnist’s advocacy. It has documented in as much detail as possible, the many festivals celebrated throughout the archipelago.
This month of July ends with some celebrations in different parts of the country. In Dapitan, Zamboanga del Sur, the Sinulog and the Kinabayo Festival is held every year to honor its patron saint, St. James the Greater. The “Sinug” procession is danced while “Kinabayo” is an exotic and colorful pageant that reenacts the Spanish-Moorish wars, a tradition we inherited from our Spanish rulers, particularly the Battle of Covadonga and Clavijo, where the Spanish forces under Pelayo, the first Christian king of Asturias (north of Spain), took their stand against the Saracens, way back in the year 717. They were able to reverse the tide of war with the miraculous apparitions of Nuestra Sra. Del Pillar and St. James the Greater. This commemoration highlights the power of prayer and devotion in times of battle, figuratively representing victory over life’s struggles.
Likewise, the Sinulog de Tanjay Festival is celebrated in Tanjay, Negros Oriental by commemorating the origin of the old Sinulog culture. It also features a horsefighting presentation re-enacting the same victory won by the Spaniards during a battle with the Moors. During this time in July and also in December, several horses, which are trained for the occasion, participate in an exciting horsefight for supremacy over a female horse.
In Butuan City, Agusan del Norte, a feast is held at the same time in honor of the patron saint Santa Ana (St. Anne), who had always protected the residents along the Agusan River from man-eating crocodiles. Local folks ride on boats while holding a prayer vigil for safe passage and prosperity as well.
Last but not the least, as the month of July ends, the annual historical Sandugo Festival is also held in Bohol to commemorate the blood compact and friendship between Spanish explorer Miguel Lopez de Legazpi and Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol.
Although our fiestas mark the strong influence of Spanish rule, they are intrinsically Filipino in character. Beyond the banderitas and the processions, the feasting and the legendary hospitality, the fiesta is unmatched as the highest form of community expression that celebrates the uniqueness of Filipino folklore and tradition. If we lose our fiestas, we lose our identity as Filipinos. These, our youth and future generations must not be ignorant of.