A Fiesta only happens once a year, and
it is filled with amazing sounds, colorful ambiance and lively dance. We Filipinos
love fiesta. Just by hearing gives us goose bumps because it brings such a
great memory. Fiesta has always been a special time with friends; it is a time
for fellowship, foods, and lots of activities. People become busy for weeks preparing
for them. It is surprising, how even those facing many problems in their
day-to-day life will set them aside and participate in the festivities. No
surprise for the month of December in Sibuyan many “bakasyonista” usually come and see these
activities.
Fiestas and Why They
Occur
What
actually are fiestas and why do these celebrations occur? The fiesta is of
Spanish origin (the reason for the Spanish term). Spain, being a Roman Catholic
country, set aside certain days to remember particular saints with processions
and celebrations. When Spanish missionaries entered the Philippines during the
mid-1500s, they found that the fiesta was a convenient tool to help teach
Filipinos the Roman Catholic faith.
From
the very beginning Spaniards brought missionaries to the Islands. The Spanish wanted
to christianize the people, as well as colonize the country. The missionaries
tried to attract the people, who lived in widespread areas, to the towns where
there were Roman Catholic churches. Missionaries hoped and expected that people
would be drawn to and participate in the colorful processions and religious
dramas.
Today,
there are fiestas throughout the Philippines to celebrate events in the life of
Jesus and Mary, and to honor saints who lived long ago. When the Spaniards
came, many communities were given names of saints. Nearly all towns have a
patron saint to remember.
