http://www.LivingInthePhilippines.comis theORIGINAL, firstPhilippines Expat site on the Net, since 1989. This is not one of many knock-offs, copycats, imitations. Some have permutations of the names,misspellings and "in" and "the" or "ing." left off to deceive you. This is the original, by: Don A. Herrington
Celebrating
the Birth of San Juan Bautista (By Ma. Isabel A. Arellano)
Wet and wild. These two words
could very well describe me and my co-passengers
when the jeepney we were riding passed by San Juan
in Metro Manila on that fateful day in June. Wet,
because we were drenched with water from the dippers
and pails of some playful kids that lined up the
streets. Wild, because the passengers got "wildly"
mad at the revelers who merely wished to have fun
but who definitely irked us -- most of whom were
going to school or work.
Indeed, to those who are playful enough to
participate in wet games, this could be really fun.
However, to those who must keep themselves dry as
they prepare to go to school or work, this spells
t-r-o-u-b-l-e! Nevertheless, this cannot change the
fact that the Feast of San Juan is very special and
memorable to Filipinos.
Every June 24, many parts of the Philippines
celebrate the Feast of San Juan Bautista (St. John
the Baptist) primarily with the traditional "basaan"
or "buhusan" (dousing). Children and grown-ups alike
line up the streets and generously douse passersby
and visitors with water, supposedly to remind them
of their baptism. They also enjoy engaging in water
wars and other wet games using dippers, pails, hoses
and even water pistols.
By this custom, Filipinos appropriately commemorate
the birth of St. John (other than the Blessed Virgin
Mary, St. John the Baptist is the only saint whose
birth is celebrated in the Christian liturgy; feasts
of other saints are celebrated on the day of their
death), who cleansed and prepared the people for the
coming of Jesus Christ by baptizing them with water.
Filipinos from different parts of the country
celebrate this feast in various ways. Two of the
most
popular celebrations can be witnessed in Balayan,
Batangas and in Aliaga, Nueva Ecija.
One of the tourist attractions in Balayan, Batangas
is the "Parada ng Lechon" ("Lechon Parade" or
"Parade of Roasted Pigs"), which is part of the
Feast of St. John. Filipino creativity is once more
at its best as the roasted pigs are costumed and
decorated according to the chosen motif or theme of
the participating social organizations or groups.
The spectators' eyes feast on the amusing but
definitely artistic sight -- with pigs wearing wigs,
jackets, jewels, flowers, sunglasses, and whatever
ornaments and costumes the decorators may choose.
After the Holy Mass at the Immaculate Conception
Church, the lechon and the people are blessed in St.
John's name. These "beauties" then parade around the
town where mischievous people try to splash water or
even beer not only over the lechon, but also over
the bearers and the spectators. After the parade,
the revelers partake of the delectable lechon --
most of which are given freely to the crowds, while
some others are taken back to the clubs'
headquarters. Of course, in keeping with the
festival's spirit, the townsfolk welcome all
visitors by generously dousing them with water.
Meanwhile, in barangay Bibiclat in Aliaga, Nueva
Ecjia, devotees of St. John the Baptist celebrate
the feast of their patron saint in a very unique
way. Men, women and children alike transform
themselves into "taong putik" ("mud people") by
completely covering themselves in mud and adorning
their bodies with vines, banana leaves, dried
coconut leaves and other indigenous materials to
create costumes patterned after the saint's attire.
Such ritual is called "Pagsa-San Juan" ("imitating
St. John") by the locals, while outsiders call it
the "Taong Putik Festival."
The devotees go from one house to another and ask
for alms in the form of candles or cash with which
to buy candles. The mud people then proceed to the
church plaza and light candles for St. John. After
their prayers of supplication and thanksgiving, they
participate in an outdoor Holy Mass and join in the
much-awaited procession.
Wet. Wild. Hilarious. Outrageous. Strange. These may
aptly describe the various celebrations of the Feast
of San Juan in the Philippines. However, the most
important fact remains -- that Filipinos definitely
honor the saint who had a very significant role in
Christian history, especially in man's salvation.
Oh, and let's also not forget the fact that
Filipinos truly have that special knack for
intermingling religion, creativity and fun!
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