Saturday, May 24, 2008 Antalan: Fiestas revisited By Roger P. Antalan Dateline: IGaCoS
THERE are fiestas throughout the year but the month of May has the most. There is a popular joke about Boholanos. During the month of May, many Boholanos go to Bohol to attend their former hometown's patronal feast. "Mas kaila nako ang patron sa amo (I know the patron saint better in my old place)."
Many Filipinos simply love fiestas. In IGaCoS, there is a fiesta almost every other day especially in May. Every now and then, the question comes up: Are fiestas good or bad for Filipinos during these hard times? The debate goes on but the fiestas go on as scheduled.
There are many reasons given by the fiesta lovers. In keeping with the Catholic tradition and practice, fiestas are celebrated to honor the Señor Sto. Niño, Mama Mary, and the favorite saints. To many, it is their way of giving thanks for all the benefits, graces and blessings received during the preceding year. It is the time for family reunions that strengthen family ties; an occasion for a get-together of friends and fellow employees, even political partners and supporters. In provincial and rural areas, everybody is welcome to the celebrations.
In many places, organizers have come up with socio-cultural development programs, which have become tourism attractions. The idea is to preserve cultural heritage and deepen the Christian faith. The active participation of many members of the community showcases the balikatan and bayanihan spirit of working together.
Fiestas are also good for the local economy. Aside from the ubiquitous ukay-ukay traders, the local restaurants, sari-sari stores, ambulant vendors, and the transport sector make good money.
Furthermore, fiestas encourage the habit of saving. The more common practice is called "Buboay". "Bubo" means to "pour". You "pour" in, contribute, e.g. P1,000, initially, to a group of savers. The amount collected is then loaned to barrowers with interest and rolled over. By fiesta time, you have a share of beef, pork, chicken, etc. The value of which exceed your initial contribution.
Those are the positive points. There are, however, many downsides to fiestas.
Many years ago, the late Senator Raul Manglapus tried to discourage the practice of fiestas because of the burdensome consequences. He did not reach first base. The fiesta goes on its merry way.
Anyway, here are some negative aspects of the annual celebrations. The spiritual side is set aside because the host family are busy preparing for and entertaining the visitors. Many of the hosts cannot attend the mass because they are so busy or are just plain tired.
Fiestas bring in a lot of gambling, pickpockets have a holiday, thievery abounds and drunkenness is a common problem, and from time to time somebody gets killed.
And one of the complaints is the exploitation of young women who are paraded in the so-called beauty contests to raise funds.
The main objection is really the big expense during the fiestas. A rough estimate of all the money spent to feed the visitors in all the 46 barangays of the island reach to a staggering P10 million in a year. That amount could have been used for a better purpose.
The tradition is so strong that many poor families are forced to borrow money just to prepare for the expected visitors. Spending beyond their capacity to pay, some families are saddled with debts after the "happy" event.
There had been many attempts by the parish priests of the three parishes in the island through the years. One priest refused to partake of the fiesta meal after the mass. Other priests strictly prohibit discos, beauty contests, cockfighting and other non-religious activities. Once, a few years back, the parish priest cancelled the fiesta mass, baptism and confirmation because there was a street dance on the eve of the fiesta.
It looks like the tradition will continue. It really depends on the individual families. Many families look ahead and prepare well for the big event, others try to minimize expenses or simply close the house. Surely, there are many other ways to honor and give thanks to the Sto. Niño, Mama Mary and the favored patron saints.
