Conquering Changes

    As we celebrate Fiesta, we gather around, prepare and eat delicious foods, watch parade with friends, attend masses, enjoy the celebration and we do this to honour cultures bequeathed by our ancestors. But how could we celebrate if the pandemic is in overtake?

    “Fiesta” is one of the main cultural and religious events in the Philippines. Every city, town and barrio has its own local festival. They are usually celebrated as a sign of giving thanks to the patron saint of the place or giving thanks for the good harvest of crops. Filipinos are celebrating different festivals like Sinulog Festival in Cebu, Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan, MassKara Festival in Bacolod, Panagbenga in Baguio and especially in my city the Longganisa Festival here in Vigan.

    The Vigan City fiesta and Longganisa Festival is held every January 25 and it is celebrated during the feast day to honour St. Paul the Apostle, the Vigan City’s patron saint. Locals and tourist gather to experience and see the street dancing, carnivals, food fairs, and arts and crafts, adding to the attraction of the UNESCO World Heritage City. But at present times, this pandemic literally ruined everything that these events cannot even be possibly do. Unlike previous years, gatherings are allowed and enjoyment without hesitating is possible. Although people are not allowed to go outside, they proffer the fiesta in their own home by having banquet. At this time, it is better to celebrate in our homes to avoid risks of getting infected by this disease. Nevertheless, we must abide by the rules in order to be safe. Who knows maybe in the next years, everything will be back to normal and we can celebrate our festivals the way they use to be.

    Our culture is different which makes us unique and it serves as our Filipino identity. We must know our practices and traditions in order to preserve our culture for the next generation. Celebrating traditions like fiesta nowadays is very risky but people have thought of a way to continue these once a year events in safer manner.

Citations:

https://images.app.goo.gl/jLJApiqeMLgaP7ED6

https://images.app.goo.gl/JazQJJ7VmwayMWD57

https://www.google.com/amp/s/theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/11-things-you-should-know-about-the-filipino-culture/%3famp=1

https://www.sendfriend.io/celebrating-fiesta-in-america-5-things-we-love-about-filipino-culture/

http://visitpinas.com/fiesta-in-the-philippines/

https://www.google.com/search?q=festivals+in+the+philippines&oq=festivals+in&aqs=chrome.0.0j69i57j0l3.3009j0j9&client=ms-android-oppo-rvo2&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8

https://www.vigan.ph/attractions/vigan-city-fiesta.html