I have fond memories of town fiestas. It gives me profound joy whenever I reminisce on the seemingly endless festivities—loads of food, traditional games, pulsating drumbeats from the marching band, folk dancing and the sense of jovial community it creates.
To this columnist, a typical “Pista sa Nayon” (or Village Fiesta), is an organized chaos where everyone is guaranteed a great time and goes home with happy-filled tummies enough to last them for days. Levity aside, a fiesta is simply how the Filipino celebrates life!
“As you know, Filipinos everywhere love to celebrate and get together. That is why we have chosen Fiesta as the theme of our celebration today.” Consul Luis Ablaza, Jr. expressed during his welcome speech at the “Pista sa Nayon ni Kuya Luis Ablaza” at the family hideaway in Alfonso, Cavite. They welcomed over 300 guests from the business and diplomatic communities that came for Zambia Consul’s birthday.
He added, “Thank you for coming all the way here for my birthday party. I’d rather call it my celebration of life and my family’s thanksgiving for God’s blessings and bounty. And our joy is now complete since you, our friends, are here with us to celebrate.”
The celebration began with a Thanksgiving Mass in the estate’s chapel followed by a barrio fiesta-themed pre-luncheon gathering where guests sampled appetizing local street food, sorbetes, and other refreshments.
The guests, in festive attire, were then ushered into the main dining hall for a “Boodle Feast” – a generous selection of Filipino all-time favorite dishes and a buffet of mouthwatering desserts set in rows of banana leaves as the culinary centerpiece. A special presentation by Consul Luis’ grandchildren delighted the guests and dance performances by the world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Group kept the festivity in high spirit.
According to Consul Luis, the fiesta is our cultural heritage in motion. To attend one is to experience mainstream Filipino culture.
He explained, “The different fiestas tell the story of our past, of the acculturation and Christianizing of the Filipino; as well as the Filipinizing of Christianity. It is through fiesta that some of the customs and culture of our past survives. It is through fiesta we became Filipino.”
A fiesta tells the story of the Philippines’ colorful heritage and its people’s innate joy of sharing blessings to the community. Through Consul Luis’ beautifully organized celebration, they have emphasized a true Filipino custom – that to be giving to others.
Thank you to Hermano Mayor Luis, Hermana Mayora Mellie, and the entire Ablaza Family for being every inch a Filipino.
Mabuhay!
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Photos by Lorna Llanes