History of Fiesta in the Philippines

The Philippines is often called the "Land of Fiestas." Filipinos love to eat, have fun and enjoy themselves. There is always a fiesta going on somewhere in the Philippines throughout the year as each city, town or even barrio (community) has at least one fiesta of its own. Some fiestas are really huge and well-known nationally and internationally that attract many foreign tourists, such as the Ati-atihan in Kalibo, Aklan, the Feast of the Black Nazarene in Manila and the Christmas lantern festival in San Fernando, Pampanga. On a smaller scale, town fiestas are celebrated during the feast of the patron saint of the town.

History of Fiesta in the Philippines

Some fiestas were ancient or indigenous rites associated with prayers for rain and good harvest or for the rivers and seas to yield bountiful fish. Water-dousing events in fiestas are linked to Buddhist rites. For instance, the Ati-atihan started when Malay tribal chiefs made the peace treaty with the local Atis nearly 800 years ago. When Spain colonized the country in the 16th century, the Catholic religion was integrated into all facets of Filipino lives, including indigenous celebrations. American historian John Leddy Phelan said that the Spaniards had instituted the fiesta in Filipino towns in order to draw the people into one central area, creating a forum for Christianizing the populace.

Celebration of Filipino Community

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A fiesta typically revolves around the parish church. Everybody is welcome and everybody is involved with the fiesta from the Mayor to the beggar. It is also homecoming for many who work or live elsewhere. "Prominent citizens are honored. It is a time of renewal - houses are repaired and cleaned, streets and public places decorated, religious icons repainted or re-dressed," according to Alfredo Roces, the author of Culture Shock: Philippines. "There are old friends and kin to see. There are the beauty queens and the lovely young ladies with their shy, timid escorts looking uncomfortable in new clothes and shiny shoes."

Fiesta Filipino Food

Filipino women start preparing fiesta dishes a couple of days in advance. A whole roasted pig called Lechon is the most significant fiesta food. Other labor-intensive fiesta dishes include pancit (noodle dishes), stuffed chicken or fish, embutido (Filipino meatloaf), Filipino paella and leche flan (Filipino custard pudding).

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