Fiesta

I was waiting for the rain to give us a good shower while the procession was on. The heavens were heavily dark, a signal that any moment rains would come by. It did not happen. It was the day before the fiesta. Last year, it was kinda different. People were just leaving the church after mass to join the procession and the rain started. Instead of leaving the queue and go home, people simply stayed put and marched on through the heavy fall and the music of the band. It was such a good sight to behold. The rains did not dampen the spirit of the people to make the longest ever procession I could possibly remember. Anyway, that is St. John the Baptist baptizing us with water from the heaven.

Rain or no rain, people flocked to the procession. Though not as well attended as last year's, yet it was quite long. I told myself I never saw how many came last year, maybe, just maybe there were more attendees this year than last year. I do not know. Whatever it is the spirit of the celebration that matters. To express our love and respect to the patron of the town on his birthday.

Having sung in all the masses, I was glad I did that. I thought I could not do it. However, fiesta should be fun as it was a celebration. But I celebrated alone. Nobody came. Well, Jun came the night before and attended the first mass. Those I expected to see were a no show. Whatever, still it was a fiesta.

The winners for the on-the-spot essay writing and painting competition were announced. (The competition happened 19 June 2010 at St. John Parochial School.) I made that one as I was the chairman, and I was heavily sweating when I did that. I just don't know. I believe I could easily talk in front of students and in the school. But outside of the perimeters of the school, I was having cold knees and gibberish nerve. I was too uncomfortable doing it. I was thinking I was not used doing this in public. I mean, there was a different protocol in the Church than in school. And I did not know what to do. I was not really used to it.

Well, this year was different for me. I also chair the board of judges during the singing competition held in the town's plaza. There were 22 contestants. (Well, originally there were 37 in the list; however, they were not able to come during the cut-off time. Wonder, what time would we be finished had everyone come. Whew!)

Different, it was actually different for me. This year's fiesta is something I was totally involved. I just hope that it would be like that from now on. No matter what comes, doing something for a special purpose gives me a satisfaction which nothing compares with.