In Bayanan where I grew up, the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene is a big event. People who have been away from our place, like myself, would usually schedule their around the Fiesta, as we call it.

She has always been garbed in these colors – red and gold. It seemed that long ago, when a new color scheme was used for her clothes, a flood , an unknown in our place, happened during her Feast Day. Since then, we kept her ‘theme’. Saint Magdalene to us is a family member. Many of us from Bayanan identified ourselves as coming from her Parish instead of the socio-political entity known as Bayanan. To many, Saint Magdalene and Bayanan are synonymous.
The Fiesta (which in the Philippines) is usually a grand celebration, not only for the community as a whole, but also for each member household.

In the olden days, (I am speaking here specifically about my birthplace) people would go into debt so that they could lay out a feast for those coming to visit. It was a big open house where even strangers were welcomed in homes. I doubt if that is still true these days when houses hide behind gates.
Days before the big event, the community would be busy decorating the neighborhood with colorful buntings and banners. Families would clean up their houses and surroundings. Novena Masses were celebrated in the parish church. The Festival Committee organized the events and entertainments. On Fiesta Eve, a procession would be held after the last Novena Mass. Later in the night, the people would have festivities in the village plaza just across the Church. At home, friends from neighboring villages would come over bearing their own utensils to help with the cooking. On these nights, I’d go to sleep to the rhythm of knives pounding the chopping block.


Mornings would find us enveloped with the aroma of freshly cooked food as we got ready for the Mass. On this special day, we had the luxury of choosing from several scheduled Masses. I often attended the one celebrated by the Archbishop who makes a special trip to our Church for the Feast of Saint Magdalene. He would concelebrate the Mass with other visiting priests. Afterwards, we visited with neighbors and relatives to sample their tasty offerings.

Alas! We could not prolong our stay until the Feast Day. Due to (my husband’s) work commitments, we had to leave before the July 22 celebrations. However, we were able to witness the procession. Acknowledging that many could not participate in the procession because they are busy in their respective homes during the Feast Day or are at work or at school, the Parish moved the procession to the Sunday immediately before the Feast Day. The new schedule was kind of odd to me but I was quite thankful and happy to be in it again. My eyes misted when I beheld the procession. It was a especially lovely day for me.

I am linking with Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Tradition with this post. What a timely theme it is for me. 🙂 Do head over to her page for wonderful, colorful interpretations of the theme.
Have a great day. 🙂
What a BEAUTIFUL tradition. Thanks for telling and showing us.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thank you and welcome, fgasette. 🙂
Such a beautiful old church. Wonderful photos.
Thank you, Angeline. 🙂
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful a tradition from your hometown! The musiko sounds like fun 🙂
Thank you, Madhu. Yeah, the Musiko is a fun part of the festivities. We always wondered about who hosts them during the event and envy the family that does so because they have the fun people in their house. 🙂
What a lovely tradition …Diane
Thank you, Diane. And it is a tradition that holds the community together too. 🙂
Very lovely photos. Love learning about traditions in different cultures and parts of the world. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for dropping by and leaving nice words, Sarah. And welcome too. 🙂
Lovely post with beautiful photos. I love learning about different traditions in different cultures and parts of the world. Thanks for sharing!
Beautiful post and photos!
Thank you, Retiring Sort. 🙂
oh I love this post..the pictures, the traditions, the beautiful people…what a lovely, wonderful celebration!! I would love to witness the Fiesta.
Thank you for the nice words, Annemarie. I am glad you enjoyed this post. There are many fiestas on a much grander scale in the Philippines. Those are our version of the Carnival except that ours are still definitely (and will hopefully be) always religious in tone and nature. 🙂
Brilliant post, Imelda, beautifully descriptive – you conjured up the loveliest of images with your words, and your photos are gorgeous too. Thank you so much for sharing the Fiesta with us. xxx Ailsa
Thanks a lot, Ailsa. I am glad you liked the post. 🙂
Beautiful tradition :d
Very informative … I enjoyed reading this.
The perfect entry for the challenge.