Fiesta is a HUGE part of Filipino culture. Of course, religious fiestas are celebrated in other parts of the world, particularly areas with Spanish influence. But, of course, like everything else, Fiestas are More Fun in the Philippines. Each town celebrates their Fiesta for something like 1-2 weeks. In my town, the celebration officially lasts 10 days, but preparations begin well in advance.
Why the celebration?
Fiestas are Catholic religious celebrations, commemorating the town’s Patron Saint. However, you don’t have to be a Catholic to join in most of the events, which are more based around the community (and food) rather than religion alone.
Fiesta Staples
All towns celebrate Fiesta a bit differently, but here are a few main features that highlight how we do things in Capiz.
Peryahan: Fried food, carnival games, a few rides, and pop-up souvenir shops. The emergence of the peryahan is the first sign that Fiesta is around the corner.
Food Festival: For five nights, at a modest entry fee, you can enter the food fest, grab a table, and buy all the grilled meats, rice, and beer you could need. Every night features a different band. Music ranges from classic rock, contemporary Filipino, lots of reggae (in English and Filipino), and some occasional budots*.
Civic Parade: A parade so massive, it’s a wonder there are any people left in the town to actually watch it. Each office/club/school/group gathers at 7AM on the last Saturday and parades several kilometers around the town center. Marching bands, baton twirlers, beauty pageant winners, and me, with coworkers, wearing matching hats.
Pageant(s): My town seems to not be as big on beauty pageants as many, but this a Miss Gay pageant was the first evening event kicking off the town fiesta. This particular pageant looks about like what you’d expect if you’ve ever seen a TV beauty pageant, but the contestants are bakla** or trans women.
Farmer and Fisherfolk Day: I’m not sure if this type event happens in other towns, but this year was the 7th annual occurrence in my town. The celebration invites 500 farmers and fisherfolk from registered organizations. It’s a one day event, also kicked off by an AM parade.
Binayle: It the big party. (Lots of budots*.) Both year during Fiesta, I’ve been told by coworkers not to go. Apparently, it can get a bit rowdy. The music starts around 9PM on the last night of Fiesta and doesn’t stop until around 3AM. This is impressive in town that usually goes to sleep by 8PM.
The Highlight
Everyone’s favorite day of Fiesta is the last day: the highlight. On this day, almost every Catholic in the town center will open their home and invite all their friends and family (and friend’s friends and family’s family and anyone else). It’s a bit like trick or treating, except there’s no age limit, no costumes, and instead of getting a handful of candy, visitors get full meals. If you’re not busy hosting, it’s normal to make a few Fiesta stops (my fiesta route this year included six stops). Many families save money and raise animals for food all year in preparation for the feast. Across the country, the main fiesta food is lechon or roast pig. But, there’s also plenty of chicken, seafood, and duck. (Filipinos aren’t typically so into veggies.) But, my favorite is the dessert: buko salad. It’s sweetened young coconut with coconut milk, cream, and various other surprises like tapioca, fruit, or corn.
The number one question I’m asked during Fiesta:
“Do you have Fiesta in the US?” At first, I tried to answer this question by talking about American Thanksgiving or County Fairs. But, eventually I settled admitting that where I’m from there’s nothing quite like a Filipino town Fiesta.
The whole prolonged celebration is exhausting and brings all normal work to a full stop. Traffic is impossible with constant parades. I’m kept up late and then woken up early by wall-rattling bass, karaoke, and budots*. But, it’s also an incredible show of comradery and town unity. In a town that is quiet and peaceful all year, it’s many peoples one chance to really cut loose. It’s homecoming, Thanksgiving, and a giant town-wide birthday party all wrapped up together and sprinkled with some Catholicism, open to everyone from the town and any outsiders who want to join.
That’s all for now. Hopefully more updates coming soon.
Thanks for reading!
-Cara
*If you don’t know what budots is, here’s your opportunity to learn from the Philippines’ President: Link to YouTube
**Equating bakla to trans women is an oversimplification, LGBT+ culture in the Philippines looks fairly different than in the US
carasimpsonpcv.wordpress.com 
Your fiestas are a lot more fun looking than the ones up here… No carnival rides in my municipality, but there is usually food sharing!
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