Saturday, June 07, 2008 Dychauco: Fiesta, A Grand Celebration By Ed Dychauco Pots and pans
I PRACTICALLY grew up in Manila with my parents. My dad is from Manila while my mom is from Camiguin Island. I spent much time in Chinatown where most of my dad's brothers and sisters were staying. Somehow, during summer and Christmas vacations, I got to spend it with my maternal grandmother, Maria Tuante de Sia who is based in Mambajao, Camiguin.
It was during those times that I got to feel and embrace the rural way of life -- a life where I enjoyed tremendously because there was practically nothing to do except to enjoy the provincial way of life where fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood abound! It was here that I got to attend authentic fiestas. Many fiestas that is!
It usually starts with a mass in the morning and lighting a few candles in honor of the feast day of the saint before visiting a house or two for brunch. If the mass started late, then it was lunch. There were several occasions where we would attend dinner, too. I remember the times when fiesta was celebrated for at least three straight days! Whew! That was really something, huh?
It was called the "anti," "bisperas" and the fiesta proper. And because of this three-day long celebration, people from that particular area would come home for the festivities, whether they were coming from Luzon, Vizayas or Mindanao. All houses would be fixed, cleaned and decorated well for the occasion. I still remember vividly most of the houses where we were invited. Fresh, clean well-starched and ironed curtains, embroidered tablecloths, beautiful and sparkling spoons, forks and plates were used by everyone. Depending on the size of the houses, some went buffet while some went lauriat style! Everyone was invited.
There was no formal invitation. As one entered the house, one could hear the kitchen and the dining room teeming with activities while the guests waited for their turn to be called for the grand celebration of food!
Adobo, fried chicken, pancit, menudo, lengua estofado, morcon, humba, escabeche, embotido, lechon kawali, afritada, hamonada, macaroni salad, spaghetti... the list would go on and on. But one thing for sure, the ever-tasty and crunchy lechon was one that was bound to complete every meal. And of course, that went with dinuguan and puto, suman, bibingka, leche flan, brazo de mercedez, yema, torta, fruit salad, turrones, palitaw, fresh fruits like buko, mango, watermelon, banana and many others, either for dessert or merienda. Who would forget sikwate, that went very well with fresh juicy, ripe & sweet mangoes? As for the drinks, it was either soft drinks or tuba.
Not only do we have our share of food at the dining table, but we also got to bring home lots of foods! And this is supposed to be for those who failed to attend the fiesta! There were instances when we were invited but due to some inevitable or unavoidable circumstances, we just couldn't make it. So what did we get? Normally, a kilo or two of fresh meat, torta, suman and lechon. Not bad at all!
We used to call them 'bayle' and not disco. It was usually held on the tennis court though technically, it was a basketball court of sort, during the bisperas (or the day before the fiesta). And for the guys to dance with the beautiful ladies, they were asked to pay then given a ribbon before being allowed to dance. Normally, there was also an "entrance fee" for those who wish to enter the "arena."
Crowning of the new beauty queen highlighted the night's event, where most of the guests and locals were in attendance. During those times, it was usually a "money contest" or shall we put it this way, a fund-raising event where the winners also got to get a percentage of the proceeds. The town's executive and officials were always invited to crown, put the cape, and offer bouquet and scepter to the "beauty queens." It was always an activity where everyone looked forward to during that special occasion.
Times have changed, today we can see people celebrating fiesta only on the day itself. Maybe because of the economic crunch? Whatever the reason is, I am still happy that we are still celebrating fiestas to the max, a tradition that we get from the Spaniards way, way back in honor of our respective beloved patron saints!
