FIESTAS are more than mere celebrations — they are sacred rituals of kinship, memory, and faith passed down through generations. From the lavish patronal feasts to humble barangay salo-salo, every gathering tells a story of community spirit and cultural pride.
But as health authorities raise alarm bells over foodborne illnesses this fiesta season, it is time to ask a difficult yet necessary question: can we honor tradition without compromising public safety?
As reported by this paper yesterday, the Iloilo City Health Office has warned of an increased risk of illnesses such as acute gastroenteritis due to improper food handling, especially in the face of rising temperatures. Spoiled meat, exposed cold cuts, and unsanitary water sources are a potent recipe for disaster. Nurse Jeffrey Mabilog, the city’s Food and Waterborne Disease Coordinator, pointed out that celebrations can quickly become public health emergencies if caution is thrown to the wind.
This presents a delicate balancing act. Iloilo’s cultural identity is deeply intertwined with its fiesta traditions — tables groaning with home-cooked delicacies, families opening their homes to neighbors and strangers alike, and the unspoken competition to serve the most delicious spread. These customs are worth preserving, but not at the cost of preventable disease outbreaks.
Preserving tradition does not mean resisting change. It means evolving with the times — ensuring that the essence of communal joy is matched by a commitment to safety. This can begin with simple yet effective actions: using clean water, storing food properly, reheating dishes thoroughly, and ensuring that caterers and food vendors are licensed and inspected. These are not disruptions to culture, but enhancements to its continuity.
We must also foster a culture of health literacy. Barangay leaders, event organizers, and families all have a role to play in promoting safe food practices. The CHO has commendably deployed sanitary inspectors and launched awareness campaigns. These must be sustained and scaled up, not just during fiesta season but throughout the year.
Fiestas need not lose their warmth and color to become safer. On the contrary, a health-conscious celebration can be a more joyful one — free from the shadow of emergency clinic visits and food poisoning scares. Iloilo, known for its resilience and creativity, is more than capable of leading this shift.
In this era where health risks lurk even in our most cherished moments, it is not enough to celebrate — we must do so mindfully. Let the spirit of the fiesta endure, not only in music and merriment, but in the safety and well-being of every guest invited to the table.
