MANILA, Philippines — San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora yesterday led the “Wattah Wattah” festival in the city amid water shortage.
The event started at 5 a.m. with a zumba session at the Pinaglabanan Shrine.
A mass was held at 6 a.m., followed by the flag-raising rites at the shrine.
Zamora said the number of fire trucks that participated in the traditional “basaan” or dousing of water was reduced to only three as part of the city government’s conservation efforts due to the El Niño phenomenon.
The Wattah Wattah festival is an annual celebration that honors the patron saint of San Juan, St. John the Baptist.