Fiestas are celebrated annually in the Philippines and in many other countries. This year, we are excited to join the fiesta celebration in my partner's hometown, Tagbibi, Hindang, Leyte, Philippines. My partner has not been able to come home for several months, so there's no better reason to visit and spend time with family and friends.
My partner's family had raised a pig for several months already in preparation for the fiesta celebration. they brought it to the slaughterhouse, and after it was slaughtered, my partner did all the cooking as he works in one of the most prestigious restaurants in the Philippines.
Whatever dish you want him to cook is very easy for him. Therefore, for the fiesta, he was the one who did all the cooking and prepared all the menus and foods that we all shared. They had a pig which was 80 to 90 kilograms, so there was indeed a lot of foods he could cook and a lot of menus he could create because the pig was quite huge.
My partner's cooking skills are definitely something I'm proud of. He's an expert in the kitchen and handles the pressure with ease. Whether it's cooking for a large party or in a restaurant, he always impresses. Cooking is truly his passion and he makes it look effortless, having even cooked for buffets with ease.
Here are the foods he prepared for Tagbibi Fiesta 2024
PORK STEAK
MENUDO
BOILED PORK SOUP
LECHON BELLY
After preparing all the food, we headed to their chapel to partake in the fiesta mass celebration. The purpose of the Fiesta is to honor the patron saint of the town and their barangay, which in this case is Sr. San Roque. As my partner finished cooking, we readied ourselves to take part in the festivities.
As I stepped inside Sr. San Roque Chapel of Barangay Tagbibi, Hindang, Leyte, I couldn't help but notice the priest leading the mass was a foreigner - a rare sight but fascinating nonetheless.
Another thing that caught my attention was the choir members, elegantly dressed in brown attire, who added to the solemnity of the occasion.
The fiesta mass was a grand affair with a substantial turnout, and the priest eloquently reminded us that the true meaning of the fiesta was not the festivities but a time to honor the patron saint , Sr. San Roque and give thanks for all the blessings received throughout the year. Attending the Fiesta Thanksgiving Mass was a fitting way to do just that.
After we attended the fiesta holy mass celebration, we went home because it was time for lunch, and all the other visitors came to celebrate.
During the Tagbibi fiesta celebration, my partner's house was filled with his family, relatives, and closest friends. This tradition in the Philippines is a time for loved ones to reunite over delicious food and good company. Each house prepares food for all the visitors. To add more fun to the celebration, my partner's family rented a karaoke.
No fiesta celebration is complete without a disco, so we headed to the Tagbibi covered court to dance the night away.
I was surprised to find out that the entrance fee was 75 pesos per person, which is quite expensive compared to the free admission we have for discos during fiesta celebrations in Cebu City.
Nonetheless, we decided to join the disco to add more fun to the celebration. My partner reunited with his old friends and acquaintances, and I captured the special moment since they haven't seen each other in months.
Hope you all had fun! Ciao! ☺︎♡