The Visayas is teeming with festivals! In January alone, there are three main events that filled up the streets with revelers who jive with the beat of each primitive melody, distinctive of each festival. A celebration of culture and history.
When I think of the fiestas in those terms it doesn’t rankle but when I gaze at the attempt at religiosity, the flavor goes stale. So I look at the heart of those who offer their dance and pray with them that the Lord may just peek into that ardent desire to please God.
The Sinulog, Ati-Atihan and Dinagyang, are celebrations of the child Jesus, interpreted by the human eye and the heart that wishes to lift their devotion to the heavens.
I am no judge to the festivity and I do not want to get into the politics of a religious discussion. Though my faith nudges me to listen to the nagging of my conscience, my words are simply propelled by the observation of how religion is mixed with magic and mysticism (sigh) and how a celebration can mean business, real good business, and the pressing on of greed. But let me not linger there.
There are good things that a festival brings. They provide expression for artistic talents through various renditions in the Mardi Gras, fluvial parades and float displays. They bring in business and allow money to circulate. They give families time to be together to attend masses, and processions and parties and bring the real color out of people, their preferences and their tastes.
Festivals are celebrations, of a way of life, and the choices that we make through time.