VIVA VIGAN (draft no.4)

 

Celebrating festivals here in the Philippines offer people a chance to exhibit their rich culture and pay homepage to the history and patron saints. Tourists around the world visit the Philippines to experience our country’s grand festivals that without a doubt, makes it more fun in the Philippines. Celebrating festivals is part of our Filipino culture. Each province has its own Filipino fiesta that they are very proud of. Here in Vigan City our fiesta is held every January 25th in honor of St. Paul the Apostle, the city’s patron saint. Vigan City Fiesta is composed of arts and crafts, carnivals, street dancing etc. that represents the spirit of Vigan’s cityhood. Because of the global pandemic, this year’s celebration of Vigan Town Fiesta is very different to those years gone by. But the city government of Vigan found ways to make the celebration become possible even if it is in the new normal type of celebrating it.

Most of the religious festivals at this time of year celebrate prosperity, hope and light and it is important that we remember or hold into the meaning of these celebrations all the more if we cannot mark them in way we might have them in past. Celebrating Vigan City Fiesta is important because it preserves our province culture and traditions. It helps other people to understand the importance or the significance of the occasion. Celebrations bring happiness and love among friends and family. The city government found ways to celebrate our festival to fulfill specific communal purposes, especially in regard to commemoration or thanking to our patron saints, to keep us closer to our religion and tradition, to teach us ethics to our next generations, to stimulate economic activities since it provide employment opportunities to people, great source of entertainment, and helps us to understand and respect the sacrifices of people in history.

This year, the global pandemic changed the events of this Vigan City Fiesta. The city government planned to celebrate at least a low-key festival to ensure the safety of every Biguenios. The city government emphasizes social distancing and hygiene protocols. Every people must take all the hygiene precautions for coronavirus prevention. Washing hands frequently, wearing mask, and using hand-sanitizer are some of the healthcare tips they must follow to ensure the safety of every person on the festival. Celebration is all about togetherness. Every person should try to adjust to this new normal.

Celebrating festivals amidst the COVID-19 is very challenging. Every people are having a hard time to adjust in the new normal type of celebrating festivals. Not be able to mark an occasion in the usual way, can be challenging. Some may feel a range of emotions like grief and sadness. We can cope with this new normal by accepting the reality of our situation. We must reduce the gap between our expectations of a perfect celebration and the reality of what things can possibly happen, if we can do this we can plan how to balance safety and celebration.

Celebrations, be it big or small, give us something to look forward to, lift our spirits up and help us recognize the good things in life. Celebrating festivals are still important amidst the global pandemic. we may not be able to celebrate the way we used to, but sharing moments to other people even when we cannot be together, can teach us to celebrate simple pleasures in life. In this time of crisis don’t let sadness or anxiety invade you, make things that you think will make you happy. Remove negative thoughts in your mind and always think positive.