Hello dear Hivers,
In our barangay, our patron saint is St. Joseph the Carpenter. Although the universal feast day of St. Joseph is on March 19, our community celebrates his fiesta every 1st of May. It’s a date that carries a special charm because it is also a Labor Day, which is a nationwide holiday. Since it also falls in the middle of summer, the atmosphere becomes even more festive. Many people who work in the city—or even abroad—choose to come home during this time to spend their summer vacation in the province. As a result, our fiesta is always lively, full of smiles, stories, and reunions.
One beautiful tradition here is that almost every household prepares food, even those who may not be financially comfortable. It’s not about having a luxurious spread—it can be simple dishes cooked with love and shared with sincerity. What matters is the spirit of offering and hospitality. The fiesta happens only once a year, and it serves as a special occasion for people who haven’t seen each other in a long time. Some have been busy with work, others have moved away, and some are overseas Filipino workers who rarely get the chance to come home. That’s why invitations are given weeks or even months before the fiesta, so guests can plan their trip back to the province and make sure they don’t miss the celebration.
Our family has the honor of being the Hermana Mayor. This role comes with the responsibility of serving and welcoming the priest, which we happily embrace. It’s a beautiful experience because priests from different parishes often visit our home, offering prayers and blessings. This adds a deeply spiritual touch to our fiesta, reminding us that beneath all the festive decorations, food, and music, the true essence of the celebration is gratitude and faith.
During the fiesta, the whole barangay transforms into a vibrant and welcoming space. Houses open their doors wide, ready to entertain visitors. People from all walks of life gather—old classmates who haven’t seen each other in years, coworkers catching up, childhood friends reminiscing, and relatives reconnecting after long periods apart. Laughter fills the air as everyone moves from house to house, enjoying food, music, and each other’s company.
And, of course, the celebration doesn’t end when the sun goes down. In the evening, the community becomes even more festive with the traditional disco, a well-loved event where people gather to dance, socialize, and simply enjoy the night. This is especially exciting for balikbayans and those who have returned from abroad, as it becomes an opportunity to meet friends, make new memories, and relive the carefree joy of provincial life.
Our fiesta is more than just a tradition—it’s a heartfelt reminder of the warmth of Filipino culture, the strength of community bonds, and the joy of coming home. It’s a celebration of faith, family, and togetherness, and every year, it continues to bring us closer to one another.
Thank you for taking the time to read and see you on my next blog.
Happy Fiesta!
𝓒𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓶𝓮𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓼, 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓮𝓷𝓬𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓯𝓮, 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓻𝓮, 𝓵𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷, 𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼 — 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 " You Only Live Once"