Celebrations here are called fiestas, owing to the significant influence of the Spanish, who dominated the archipelago for almost 400 years!

Many of the fiestas here are local in nature and typically celebrate one saint or another. I think they are just a good excuse to have some fun. Tomorrow, is the fiesta of Sr. San Roque in the barangay of Ditucalan.

Roque was born in Montpelier, France around 1295. Tradition says that he bore a red birthmark on his chest in the shape of a cross. He was the son of the governor, but at the age of 20, he gave up his wealth and governorship, joined the Franciscan order and distributed his fortune among the poor. He cared for victims of the plague, which was ravaging Europe at the time. He succumbed to the Black Death himself, but recovered. He was reputed to have performed many miracles of healing everywhere he went. San Roque is the patron saint of the sick and invalids.

The celebration of Sr. San Roque will include the selection of Miss Ditucalan from ten or so candidates. Miss Ditucalan will go on to represent her barangay in the Miss Iligan City contest held later this year.

Another highlight of the fiesta is a performance of the traditional sinulog dance. This dance has a rich history and is a dance ritual recalling the Filipino people’s pagan past and their acceptance of Christianity. The grade school age children will be performing this dance tomorrow and they have been practicing almost every evening for two weeks. They will be wearing colorful satin costumes and it should be great fun.

There will be many street vendors, lots of food and camaraderie. Singing and dancing are always a part of the fun as well.

The Sinulog Festival in Cebu is reputed to be the best fiesta in the Philippines, held each year on the third Sunday of January in Cebu City to honor the Santo Ni