Olongapo Fiesta

Olongapo fiesta picture

This story happened when I was about 5 years old. I can still vividly remember the events as if they only happened yesterday because it was very memorable to me. This was no ordinary day you see. It was December 30 and throughout the entire nation it was being celebrated as Rizal's Day since this was the date in 1896 that Jose Rizal became a martyr and to us a national hero. But more importantly, in our small city of Olongapo it is also the day we celebrate our annual fiesta.

On this particular day, people were up very early. I remember my mother preparing to cook and I saw some live chickens being readied for especially-prepared dishes. I myself woke up quite early sensing that something must be going on but being very young I can only think of nothing but Christmas since it happened only a few days ago and to my young mind it must be Christmas still. So without even bothering to change my pajamas I just slipped on my shoes and started to head out the door.

Going down the stairs, my mother did not even notice me for she was busy cleaning the chicken. In the front of our house I noticed Tatang Ponso cleaning the yard using walis ting-ting and he didn't see me as I pass him by. Across the street I saw Aling Rosa going about her own business and even she didn't seem to mind my presence. There was much commotion in our street in West Tapinac and I still remember the colorful banderitas made of shredded paper-thin plastic sheets connected from house to house.

I had no idea where I was going but I kept on walking. I didn't seem to be bothered or worried at all but for sure, I was enjoying the sights that I was seeing. The first unusual sight that I remember seeing was a bulugan, a huge black male pig being herded by a likewise big man. I've never seen such a big animal before so it was a surprise to me. But I just moved on, my feet seem to know exactly where I'm going.

The next sight that caught my attention was a passing banda or a marching band. Fiestas are not complete without the musical competition. Well, not necessarily between the bands but more on the families who hire their services, who go through the effort of paying them as well as feeding them just to show the others how important they are and how they can afford such a show of extravagance.

After what seemed like a long morning of walking I decided to stop in a particular house that I don't know. Then all of a sudden, somebody who obviously recognized me came out and addressed me, "Hijo, what are you doing here? Where is your Mama and Papa?" Then I realized it was my Ninong Gon. They didn't know how I got there. Meanwhile, back in our house everybody's worriedly searching for me. All the neighbors were asked of my whereabouts and nobody knew where I was.

After having a hearty breakfast with them my Ninong decided to bring me back home immediately knowing that my parents were already worried sick. True enough, as we were pulling through in our driveway the whole family and some neighbors were already waiting. They were all relieved to know that I was okay and the whole episode was regarded as a sort of miracle and they believed to this day that my guardian angel was with me that day guiding and protecting me.

Every year since then until I got older, I would always remember that incident every time the fiesta comes. And I would look back with memories of those people and events and I couldn't help but smile.

Edgar Millan
Leamington, Ontario/ Olongapo City
ZambalesForum (ZF2) co-moderator

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