IT’S THE DAY after the longest-running and most popular fiesta in Iloilo City and perhaps in the country – the Jaro fiesta or the Feast of Our Lady of Candles. It is traditionally known as the Fiesta de la Nuestra Señora de Candelaria held in honor of the patron saint of the district of Jaro.
If you happen to be in the vicinity of Jaro plaza yesterday you’d be surprised as it seemed just like any other day. There were no signs or activities that it was indeed the Fiesta de la Nuestra Señora de Candelaria.
Jaro plaza was almost bare save for some stalls selling plants. Gone were the usual crowd and the carnival, fiesta queen coronation and the Agro-Industrial and Charity Fair.
It was also a good thing that the Archdiocese of Jaro cancelled the biggest crowd-drawer activity – the religious procession. This just showed that the Ilonggo Catholic Church leaders are far more sensible than those in the Quiapo Parish Church who, despite the current pandemic, allowed the Feast of the Black Nazarene to be celebrated, drawing a massive crowd that broke almost all the protocols and guidelines set up by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force or IATF.
Of course, the fiesta being basically a religious one, masses were still held but strictly adhering to the protocols and guidelines of the IATF.
Meanwhile, in the other Candelaria event, this happened (excerpts from the Jan. 30, 2021 issue of Panay News):
Treñas OKs ‘online bulang’ ordinance
Bulang is entrenched in the Ilonggo culture, according to Mayor Jerry Treñas. Staging it virtually in this time of pandemic is the safest way to avoid transmitting or contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“Tradition na ina naton,” he stressed.
Four days before the Jaro district patronal fiesta, Treñas signed a franchise ordinance allowing the delayed broadcast and data streaming of cock derbies in select commercial establishments here.
The franchisee is the United Association of Cockpit Owners and Operators of the Philippines, Inc. (UACOOPI). It is now authorized to establish, operate and maintain off site cockpit betting centers within the city.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod granted UACOOPI the franchise on Jan. 26 a week after Mayor Treñas endorsed it as “urgent”.
According to Councilor Carlos “Jojo” Javellana who chairs the SP committee on games, amusement and professional sports, the franchise is valid for only one year.
It was Javellana’s committee which recommended to the SP the granting of the franchise to UACOOPI.
It’s quite ironic that the Archdiocese of Jaro went out of its way to adjust to the pandemic situation to save people’s lives while the cockfighting aficionados also made adjustments to continue their slaughter of chickens in the name of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.
The Candelaria Cock Derby is the “world cup” or the “NBA Finals” of all cockfighting devotees and aficionados. The derby has been attracting cockfighting aficionados from all over the country and the rest of the world.
It is the time of the year when helpless sentient beings or non-human animals are being slaughtered in the name of Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria.
Mayor Geronimo, you say that this bulang is entrenched in the Ilonggo culture and part and parcel of our tradition? Then you’re saying also that the Ilonggos are a cruel people who enjoy watching and participating in this bloodthirsty activity.
The cocks or male chickens are fitted with razor-sharp knives in their legs and let loose to fight each other to the death. There is nothing crueler than to see cocks hack each other to death while the predominantly middle aged male audience bet thousands up to millions of pesos cheering their cocks to win.
The whole cockfighting spectacle is so Freudian.
Even in the midst of pandemic that has already killed millions of people worldwide, cockfighting aficionados could not even find a quantum of compassion in their hearts to give chickens a reprieve while thousands of humans are dying every day.
Is it not enough that you slaughter chickens for food? You also slaughter them in such a cruel manner just for your pleasure.
Culture is not an excuse for cruelty./PN
