Fiestas in the Philippines won't be complete without the presence of the Hermano Mayor and/or its female counterpart, the Hermana Mayor. These people, generally coming from wealthy members of the community, have the responsibility of sponsoring the fiesta.
I have a high regard to those taking on the responsibility of funding these traditional annual events. In spite of the economic hardships felt across the globe, Filipinos still find time and resources to keep traditions alive.
I am, however, not pleased with what I saw in this video taken during the karakol (from the Spanish caracol = snail; hence snail-paced procession) held in Gagalangin on the eve of the fiesta on May 18. While the ordinary folks braved the heat dancing (or walking) during the procession, the tres hermanas were sitting pretty on well-decorated side cars that even the andas (bier) used to carry the statues of Our Lady and of St Joseph would envy.
No offense meant to the hermanas, but unless they are incapable of walking (In the video they seem to be capable!), they shouldn't have joined the procession at all! (I recalled Jess Lagman, first Hermano Mayor when Gagalangin Parish introduced this scheme in 1994. During the procession in honor of St Joseph on March 19, 1994, he opted to help pulling the carriage of St Joseph - clad in Barong Tagalog - rather than just walk in procession holding the estandarte (hermano's staff). Another hermano mayor in a different parish and diocese in the Philippines comes to mind. He had an accident and required a walking stick. In spite of his situation, he walked through the streets in his parish during the procession. He could've bailed out, but no, he wanted to be there with his fellow parishioners.)
At a time when we see the likes of Pope Francis or Manila's very own Cardinal Chito Tagle living simply and being involved in humble service, the VIP treatment of the hermanas is not on!
Such treatment just continues to fortify the divide between rich and poor, powerful and weak. Such mindset would simply keep the traditional politicians and political dynasties in power. Such attitude would defeat what the Pope's vision of "...a Church which is poor and for the poor!". (The Moynihan Report)
1 comment:
Video looks good; it made me wish we should always have fun fiestas and party parades, worldwide!
In reality, parades are divided between the onlookers on one side and the participants, the stars of the show who get to ride in fancy vehicles on the other side. Unfortunately, this is the secular way: others who are better off than most are/like to be, on display (hey, see, it's me!) and idolized.
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