Filipinos generally love fiestas and they celebrate these events to honor the

different saints that they believed have miraculous powers. For hundreds of years,
the Filipinos have been celebrating fiestas of different kinds to honor their saints
and give importance to the miracles that the saints have gifted them. Filipinos love
fiestas because it is a part of their lives. The Philippines is perhaps one of the
countries with the most yearly celebrations and events. The most highlighted are
the fiestas in different places as a celebration for the patron saints which were
introduced before by the Spanish conquistadores. The Philippines has been ruled by
the Spanish government for 333 years which made the Philippines a highly religious
country. Before the Spaniards took over, appeasing god was an important factor in
ancient pagan worship in the Philippines. Mystical fervent beliefs ahead the
Spaniards arrival centered on worshipping gods believed to control certain aspects
of life wealth, health, family, livelihood and others. To make life more livable, the
credence said, frequent ritual offerings to these gods had to be done. These gods
may seem to be easily angered by tiniest mistakes and wrath over peoples source
of livelihood or familys health. This practice was somehow passed down from the
ancient times to this modernized generation.
Lavish spending in fiestas is one of the Filipino habits that many may consider
as disagreeable. This habit was also passed down by our forefathers. Rajahs, Datus,
and the townsfolk used to prepare a huge banquet for celebrations and offerings.
They always cook the best of their crops and the healthiest of their animals. We
have inherited this mindset and carried the belief the Philippine fiestas are like a
pledge. It is like capital poured into investments. They have to be celebrated
grandly to ensure good life ahead. The bigger money poured out for a Philippine
fiesta the surer the return of investments. So for a higher ROI, a devotee should
spend more to celebrate fiesta. Smaller investments results to smaller yields. If one
wishes for more harvests from fields or the sea, or more luck in business or
employment, or physical healing, or more rain, then one ought to dole out more
quality meals in a fiesta celebration. A key to all these is that, the devotee has a
pledge or promise to keep this going each annual fiesta.
Practicability or practicable means being able to practice by that person. Is
celebrating fiestas lavishly possible to happen? Definitely yes. We are a very or
highly religious country. We celebrate fiestas more on religious aspect. We are
entitled to sacrifice our wealth for a day just to prove that we value praising god
more than money or anything else. Material things just come and go but the
blessing from God goes on and on. It is a thanksgiving for the life given, blessing
received, and for the good health of the family. No one should question the
practicability of celebrating fiestas lavishly as it is already a part of our culture and
it is already practiced by almost all Filipinos. A town fiesta is a day wherein every
people in that town unite and share their blessings with each other. Thus, it is a
must to prepare a bountiful feast where the whole town can feast and rejoice for a
fruitful year. After all, a fiesta is a special time with friends, a time of fellowship,
foods and lots of activities. Rich or poor, everyone puts great food on their table for
other people or visitors to eat.

No one can deny that we are a poor country. So, for just one day, we need to
go all out and forget about the worries and problems that we have. Even if we are
buried in debts the next day, we could still find ways to pay it. We are known for our
positivity and hardworking attitude. But is there a need for borrowing money?
Lavish does not necessarily revolve around money. We can still have lavish food in
our table by means of using what we already have. We can still prepare lavish foods
without spending too much by using other options like Catering Services. Everyone
is not really required to have expensive amount or extravagant quantity of food
during fiestas. If one is poor and almost have nothing and he/she managed to put
simple food on his/her table to share with his/her family for the fiesta, it is already
considered as lavish. Maybe not on the eyes of other people but for him/herself
because that is already above his/her financial capability and is all that he has. It is
a matter of perception. We Filipinos, as Catholics, are obliged to celebrate fiesta of
the different saints and of thanksgiving for the 365 days that we only receive and
never give. Celebrating fiestas lavishly is practicable. It doesnt harm anybody nor
breaks a law. God is more worthy than money. He gave us life and blessings for us
to continue living. He deserves all this lavishness. We dont have the right to be
selfish of the graces that we receive for the whole year. Our debt to God is more
important. It needs to be repaid more than the debt that we incurred to others. The
Filipinos habit of spending lavishly for fiestas is possible to be practiced as it is
what makes us Filipinos. It is already a part of our culture. Why stop it? A feast is
nothing without excessive amount of food. Philippine fiestas keep Filipinos reaching
out to the future as they stake out in the present while reminiscing the past.