How Filipinos celebrate fiestas in the midst of a pandemic
Through good times and bad times, Filipino festivals must go on
With more than 7,100 islands, hundreds of barangays, municipalities, towns, and cities in 81 provinces, it is not certain how many festivals are held in the Philippines annually. Being the fun-loving, happy people with so much joie de vivre, Filipinos would conduct jamborees and parties in honor of saints, seasonal changes, harvest, or even of a place. Most of these celebrations are vibrant, brimming with energy, and many are influenced by our Spanish colonizers.
Having these innumerable fetes, the multicultural state is often called “The Fiesta Islands.” In fact, Christmas is regarded as the biggest, longest, grandest celebration in the country, which begins in September and ends in January, perhaps the most prolonged observance in the world. It goes without saying Pinoys love holidays.
In October alone, there are over 90 recognized fiestas, many of which are major ones such as Rizal’s Pagoda, Albay’s Ibalong, and Zamboanga’s Hermosa, to name a few. These festivals are either cancelled or happening online.
Here’s a rundown of the status of each of the big festivals this month.
MassKara
Otherwise known in Hiligaynon as Pista sang Masskara, the Masskara festival is an annual celebration that highlights the fourth Sunday of October in Bacolod. The word is a portmanteau, coined by the late artist Ely Santiago from mass meaning multitude of people, and the Spanish cara for face, forming MassKara (a multitude of faces). It also a pun on maskara, Filipino for mask considering that the accessory is a prominent feature of the festival and is always adorned with smiling faces, giving rise to Bacolod’s recognition as the “City of Smiles.”
The internationally renowned festival of smiling masks has been cancelled this year. On Sept. 20, mayor of Bacolod Evelio Leonardia, citing Executive Order No. 62, series of 2020, ordered the suspension of what would have been the 41st Maskara Festival in compliance with health and safety protocols in place to minimize the spread of Covid-19.
Zamboanga La Hermosa
Famously known as Fiesta Pilar, it is a month-long annual festival in the city of Zamboanga, the center of the Peninsula region of the same name. It is among the oldest festivals in the country and the most awaited event in the region. Zamboanga Hermosa honors the miraculous image of Our Lady of the Pillar, the patroness of Zaragoza in Spain and of Batangas, the sister city of Zamboanga. The people of Zamboanga fervently believe that the lady has served as their unifying cultural and historical symbol. The feast day that runs from Oct. 1 to 12, displays devotion and enthusiasm with a nine-night procession, fireworks, an ethnic parade, a cultural show, a regatta, and the Miss Zamboanga parade.
The festival is currently ongoing online with virtual replays and live events as well as competitions through its social media and YouTube pages. @ZamboHermosaFestival2014 | #SafeHermosa2020
Lanzones
The annual thanksgiving celebration for Camiguin Island’s bountiful harvest takes place within the third week of the 10th month. Eating as many lanzones during this week of parades, pageants, and dancing is highly advised. The occasion is believed to have originated from a local legend about a childless couple who wished for a child from the lanzones tree fairy. The magical being granted the couple a healthy baby boy but they forgot to give thanks, and so the fairy enchanted the boy. The couple performed a ritual to appease the fairy and the child became well again. The following year, the couple invited the neighboring barrio to participate in the thanksgiving ritual, which ultimately led to the festival today.
The events considers the “new normal,” especially with the prohibition on mass gathering, explained Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo. “These [activities] are all virtual. It means there will be no gathering of people, except for the TikTok dance contest which will also be limited within the family circle only,” he says.
This year’s Lanzones festival launched live on Oct. 18. Watch it in their social media account @lanzonesfestival | #lanzonesfestivalonline.
Lubi-lubi
Every eighth of October, Glanians proudly showcase the town’s foundation day. Lubi is the Visayan term for coconut, and it reflects the industry, culture, and tradition of the people of Glan. Glan is known as the “Coconut Queen of the South” because the town’s total land area is planted with coconuts, the “Tree of Life.” Glan, Sarangani is found at the southernmost part of Mindanao. From its roots to its leaves, the people make money out of the coconut tree by making beverages, handicrafts, and many other products out of it.
While no official announcements have been made regarding its cancellation there are no existing news and updates on the festival ever occurring.
For those biggest festivals, online is the way to go.