Colorful banderitas, dance parades, marching band, exquisite costumes, and the delicious crispy Lechon are just some of the things you can imagine whenever you heard the word Fiesta. This tradition has acquainted to the Filipinos by Spaniards during their colonization in the mid-1500s. Our ancestors are known to be pagans who have their own culture and traditions. As part of the strategy of Spanish colonizers, they brought Christianity into the country, assigned a patron saint in each town, and encouraged the locals to be converted and join the fiestas in order to be saved from evil.
Since then, Fiestas have been attached to us Filipinos- forever. Aside from the commemoration of the patron saints, cultural exhibitions are simultaneously conducted to promote local products and to give honor to the history of a town.
Here in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, various Fiestas were also held this month of October. Some of these are the Fiesta Celebration of St. Michael the Archangel, the Fiesta Celebration of St. Pio of Pietrelcina, and the Celebration of Yearly Devotion to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary La Naval. To make these celebrations more processional and joyous at the same time, the talented personnel from the TOW West Marching Band provided musical accompaniment in these activities. Not only that, but different barrio fiestas held in the evening are also entertained by a live band performed by the TOW West Combo.
This endeavor manifests the support of the PAF personnel to the national cultural and historical events in Palawan. Finally, festivals are celebrations of life. They are there for us to celebrate. They bring peace and joy to humanity. Happy Fiesta!