Tradition and prudence

The yearly celebration of Independence Day has grown to be more than just a public holiday, becoming a key part of our cultural customs. Just yesterday, we marked our nation's 125th year of independence.

This event, celebrated all over the country, unsurprisingly sparks thoughtful discussions among academics and political commentators. Every year they underscore the need for our nation to achieve genuine independence --one that encompasses economic sovereignty and an assertive geopolitical stance.

However, in Cebu City, a different debate unfolded, focusing on the financial cost of celebrating Independence Day. The city government seemed to splash out on a vibrant display of culture and rhythm with the Barangayan sa Sugbo Festival, thus igniting a controversy over the cost. The initial budget, a substantial ?10.6 million, was reduced to ?5 million after some scrutiny, a figure still deemed excessive by some for a local government unit's Independence Day celebration.

To lend a broader perspective and inject a historical angle into the issue, I dove into the history of Filipino festivals. Perhaps, understanding this historical context can provide us with valuable insights into the roots of today’s controversy. Reinhard Wendt's “Philippine Fiesta and Colonial Culture” (1998) reveals that 17th-century fiestas were grand spectacles of the Catholic Church, conducted at a time when church and state were inseparable entities. Thus, these festivities went beyond religious elevation, serving as potent instruments of power and influence, and reinforcing the social stratifications between colonial authorities and the people.

At that time, it was the existence of the hermano mayor, as explored by Prof. Jose Antonio Lorenzo L. Tamayo (International Journal of Intangible Heritage, 2022), that exemplified the high cost of the celebrations. The hermano mayor, a major sponsor --often from the local elite-- shouldered the expenses of the town or neighborhood fiesta, a practice born out of our colonizers’ strategy to win over local communities, with some hermano mayors using the opportunity to promote their businesses or political careers.

Today, this grandeur of mounting fiestas or festivals obviously persists, and so does the high cost. Despite its evolution and commercialization, this tradition continues, with commercial establishments and local governments shouldering the cost of the celebrations and, of course, with many politicians using the opportunity to promote their political careers.

The festivals, per se, are not necessarily to be frowned upon, considering they have become a part of our socio-cultural legacy. Yet, two key sides have emerged in this issue and both have points that are worth considering. One side, for example, argues that the lavishness of our festivals embody the misplaced grandeur we inherited from our colonial past. The other side, on the other hand, contends that it is just a reflection of our communal spirit and resiliency as a nation, and holding festivals is more than a matter of pesos and centavos.

For me, it’s a question of balancing the preservation of cultural heritage with socio-economic realities. Are we, in the process of promoting our rich cultural heritage, failing to address the more pressing needs of our people?

While it's important to preserve and celebrate our rich national heritage and cultural traditions, it's equally important to ensure the efficient use of public funds, particularly in a time of crisis when many people are still recovering from the three-year pandemic. My specific proposal is to incorporate activities that stimulate socio-economic progress into our national and local celebrations. Beyond elaborate displays of grand parades and dances, we should consider hosting fairs, agricultural shows, and trade exhibits that hold significant economic potential.