TOWN fiestas have many faces. They usually come with a Holy Mass and a procession to honor their patron saint. It has grown over the years to a celebration featuring events with music, food, sports, pageantry, military and patriotic observances and parades. Right after the religious rituals, people eat, drink and enjoy the rest of the day.
One of the most popular devotions is the feast of Sr. Sto. Niño. This devotion comes with a national spirit. This is not based with pious traditions but it is authenticated in history. This originated in Spain.
When they found out the statue of the Christ child, this has caused them sensation. So they considered it as a sign to eventually convert the natives to Christianity. The enthronement of Santo Niño has been the reason of the hostile relations between the natives and the foreigners.
In the municipality of Balingasag, celebrating the feast of the Christ child not only takes one day but a weeklong full of activities. It comes not with a specific date, but it is celebrated every third Sunday of January.
Preparations start long before, saving for food, preparing the decoration, and fattening the pigs because no fiesta can be complete without roasted pig or lechon baboy, and plenty of alcoholic drinks. This is the time where everyone is welcome, no invitations required.
In celebration of the town’s fiesta, Balingasagnons have prepared different activities for the whole community. Some of which were the color me run, women’s night, educator’s night, indigenous people’s night, civic military parade, motocross racing, fireworks display, Diyande festival and the sakay-sakay. The main highlight of the event was the crowning of the new Miss Balingasag 2017.
The girl who outshines the other candidates is, Ms. Jovelyn Meraveles. She has a powerful story to tell - for she has dealt with poverty all her life.
“Growing up, gamay ra jud ang naa sa amoa. I came from a poor family. Ang akoa ra jung gusto is ma-raise ang level sa amoang economy. So, anything I do is for my family,” said Meraveles.
“Competing with 11 gorgeous ladies was a huge thrill. Coming from different walks of life, I encountered different personalities and attitudes. One of the things we had in common that we want to be crowned as Miss Balingasag and represent our municipality,” she said of her Miss Balingasag experience.
The town mayor was in full support of all the events.
“Sa pagka-karun, kani sila nag-workshop kay para makahatag sa ila ug ehemplo niining lungsora. Kaning mga nidaog atong mapakita nga ang Miss Balingasag, na’ay padulngan, na’ay paingnan,” said Marrietta Abogado, Balingasag mayor.
The winners then were on parade during the “Sakay-sakay” day.
This sakay-sakay festival becomes a tradition for every Balingasagnon every year - and they do it in the water.
Those who joined the event brought with them their statuette of Sto. Niño. Some people came with painted faces as a sign of their devotion.
Their icons came also in sizes – small, medium and big. The event began with a mass and right after was moving in to the bay walk for everyone to witness the blessing of holy water to the image of Sr. Sto. Niño and then, the fluvial parade went on. It was marked with decorated boats with the icon of Sto.Niño given prominence in the celebration – with people cheering “Viva! Pit Señor!” It was led by the priests and Mayor Abogado.
“Ang pinaka-anticipated nga event kay ang sakay-sakay, in which isayaw sa katawhan sa Balingasag ang ilang mga Santo Niño. Dayon blessingan kini sa pari,” said Meraveles on the most anticipated event for Balingasag fiesta celebration.
Every celebration, the town has never missed to organize a sports fest which gives the townspeople an ultimate family friendly sports experience. This year, they had basketball, lawn tennis invitational friendship game, 9 balls extravaganza, baseball and softball tournament, motocross racing, and the fiesta boxing extravaganza.
The whole fiesta celebration was more than sights and sounds, traditional attires and colorful dances. Indeed a fiesta like no other. The organization was very impressive. To the Balingasagnons, it was a success brought by fresh ideas, camaraderie and support, all pulling in together.
From the Balingasagnons they say: “Ang Malinawon nga Katilingban, Mauswagon ang Katawhan.”