By Raymart Escopel
FILIPINOS are known to celebrate occasions in unique ways. May it be big or small; the spirit of revelry and merrymaking surely lingers in any form.
As a religious country, it is both a norm and a tradition in the whole archipelago that we celebrate festivals and fiestas in honor of respective patron saints.
One well-known fiesta in the country is the birth of St. John the Baptist or San Juan Bautista celebrated every June 24.
According to the bible, it was St. John the Baptist who baptized Jesus Christ, hence the name âThe Baptist.â
Other than the birth of Blessed Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist is the only saint whose birth is celebrated in the Christian liturgy, unlike other saints whose feast day is celebrated on the day of their death. The said tradition is a reminder of our baptism as Christians.
The festivity is most often associated with people of all ages lining up in the streets and sidewalks as they splash water on passersby as a way of blessing them; part of the tradition called âbasaanâ or âbuhusan.â
To make the celebration more fun and enjoyable, others engage in water wars and games using dippers, pails, hoses and even water guns.
Older people on the other hand, use ancient coconut shells with perfumed water to sprinkle to. The most common tradition by Filipino families is spending the day at the beach or any bodies of water for that matter.
We hold such tradition for us to be reminded of the life and mission of St. John the Baptist.
Filipinos happily celebrate occasions and festivals as they wear their smiles in their sleeves. More than the fun and merry making, we must never forget the core reason why it is celebrated.
Indeed, any celebration is more fun in the Philippines./PN
