Feast Day of St. Bartolomew 2008, Patron Saint of Catbalogan City

I just came back from Catbalogan City after joining the Catbaloganons in celebrating their 2008 Fiesta. I was able to attend the Mass concelebrated by the Archbishop of the Diocese of Calbayog with scores of other priests in the diocese.


The Feast Day Mass of St. Bartolome at the St. Bartolome Church

The Church of St. Bartolomew where the mass was held is a revelation. As I entered its doors, the first thing that drew my attention were the faces of the Twelve Apostles muralled on stain-glassed windows. At the center was the creatively lighted altar installed with backlights interplaying yellow and orange hues on the different images of the Christ, Mama Mary and the other saints. The result is beautiful without being ostentatious. Someone whispered that these renovation of the church was mainly through the efforts of its previous parish priest who has since been reassigned elsewhere.

As expected, the church was packed, and despite me and the hubby turning up a full hour earlier before the Mass began, we could no longer get seats. Seems we and hundreds of others had the same brilliant idea. It was blowing hot with the full force of the midday sun bearing down on the inside of the church. But despite the heat, my hubby was resolved to finish the Mass, and I, sweat running down my face notwithstanding, did the same. After all what is a few hours of discomfort for a panata and a devotion? Indeed, the devotion of my fellow Filipinos never cease to amaze me. Not one person left the church from start to finish, at least from my vantage point, inspite of the sweltering heat. Perhaps this is what contributes to the resilience of the Pinoy in the face of so many economic adversities, his unwavering faith.

Apart from the religious significance, the sight in Catbalogan City during its fiesta is one that is replicated all over the country. It is a a week long festivities and the day before there was a parade of cultural dances and as well as numerous contests. THere is also the usual baratillo with vendors hawking everything from clothes to kitchen wares and home items. Of course, no fiesta is complete without the carnival with its rides and gambling stalls. Just like in any town or city, streamers of fiesta greetings from this or that politico or bigwigs as well as corporate sponsors line the streets. And the traffic, gridlock is everywhere when the clock strikes twelve noon. That's the time when everyone starts the beeline for the homes that have served up a banquet for the "patronizers", visitors and guests who come to celebrate the fiesta. This is one party where invitations are not needed and required. I even call it the big equalizer as people from all walks of life are welcomed and feast on the same fare prepared for them regardless of stripe, color or class. And just to show you the extent of Filipino hospitality, lucky guests can are given the ubuquitous "bring home"(take home). "Makakaon pa, may bitbit pa (You get to eat as well as bring some food home)." Onli in da Philippines. Of course this is only for close family and friends so don't go around asking for one.

One might say that the fiesta celebration is an extravagance we can do without in view of the present economic hardships, but how do you convince a people that have deeply ingrained the fiesta not only in their culture but in their way of life of such practical considerations? One senator with an American accent tried but failed miserably, his bill to abolish fiesta gathering dust in the archives of the senate never to be revived again.