By Danny Estacio

 

TIAONG, Quezon, Philippines – Municipal mayor Vincent Arjay Mea joined with the thousands of residents coming from the 31 barangays in a boodle fight dubbed as Barrio Fiesta, on the occasion of the town fiesta in honor of the patron St. John the Baptist, on June 24.

The visitors were represented for every barangay in a simultaneous breakfast, and the foods served included native dishes and popular dishes like longganisa, pork barbecue, chicken on coconut milk, caldereta, menudo, seafood, and other popular dishes served during a fiesta, with popular desserts, and eaten with their hands.

Long tables were lined up in the middle of the road in front of the municipal hall.

Joined with the residents are members of the municipal council, municipal government office heads, and the barangay councils.

The said event is the first time to experience and be part of the Bayan ni Juan Festival, to feel the ambience of the festivities offered to the town patron in gratitude for the blessings received.

The municipal government, headed by Mea, and the barangay councils prepared a simultaneous breakfast that lasted for an hour.

Mea said he is happy when they are together, having breakfast together, and he hopes for a happy reception of abundance from his constituents.

He expressed thanks that the residents appreciated what the municipal government presented to them.

As the finale of the festival, the traditional “basaan” (dousing each other with water) called Buling-buling, a foam party was followed using the fire truck water cannon, showering the spectators, accompanied by bouncy music played by popular disc jockeys from Manila.

The dousing each other with water is highly localized and culturally done, in places whose patron is St. John the Baptist, like Tiaong town, which symbolizes the sacrament of baptism.

A machine blowing out foam associated with water from the fire truck tagging on the head of the partygoers who were having a full enjoyment.

The security was planned carefully with the assistance of the local police force and the municipal risk reduction management office. Responders are on full alert for a quick response to any untoward eventuality.