My Share for #BeautifulSunday initiated by @ace108
The most awaited event in our city, the biggest water festival in the country and recommended by the Department of Tourism. The annual Regada which is celebrated for two decades now celebrates the feast of Saint John the Baptist. Along with it is more that 100 meters of water tubes fitted with sprinklers set up in the middle of the street. Stages are set, the sound systems are pounding and alcohol are pouring. Welcome to the biggest water festival in the country.........
The Water Festival "Regada"
HEADING OUT
Planning takes months before the actual event and is held every June 24th which starts at exactly 8 am. If you are planning to go outside make sure that you are ready to get wet. Wrap your mobile phones in plastic and other your gadgets as for sure it will get wet. Today my baby stays at home as the GX85 does not have weather sealing. I will be using the Canon powershot D20 for underwater, the camera that I used when I started with Steemit last year.
The event is held at the main road in the market area and at this time the crowd has started to build up. Along with my wife @mhel we headed out, you could already see kids armed with their water guns. This was an ambush and these kids drew first water which got me wet already. There was also this one kid who came out of nowhere and poured a bucket of water on my back.
We reached the main road and a lot of people was there already. More people are coming in from all directions and this area was like a magnet drawing the crowd in. Where ever this is music, fun, food and alcohol especially in the streets it definitely draws out a crowd.
Water is a symbol of life getting into contact with this element brings joy to us. We don't get wet everyday on the streets and today is legal for everyone to splash water to anybody. Today is Sunday but from the previous years of the event it fell on a weekdays. There are people who goes to work some are spared but some are not so lucky. It is best to leave for work early before 8 am.
The fire truck from the Philippine Red Cross joins in the fun and blasts the crowd.
Check out the video
During the past years drunken brawls and gang fights often occur which has faded through the years. To maintain peace and order at a level police presence are there to ensure the safety of everyone. This has attracted tourists and visitors from across the nation to experience the Regada.
CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON
Water guns are very popular during this event and the bigger the better. We love blasting people with water but doing this on a regular day would get you into trouble. Today is a good reason to purchase a water gun but didn't bother to get one as I would be busy taking photos.
I recall when I was a kid I always had a water gun ready and a bucket of water at the side for refills. Before there was no street party like this, people were just at their homes waiting to attack the passersby. That is still being practiced but the real fun is out on the streets. Here are just some of the water weapons which are popularly used.
Business is good for the water gun vendors as every kid would want one.
We have the one that needs a constant refill and the one with the back pack of water for non stop action.
We have those with water hoses from their balconies spraying people from a safe distance.
Girls with water hoses sponsored by one of the local business to attract more people.
Ahhhm.................Ok.........
I guess they make it in different forms now.
Well this kid is a one man army on an all out war.
THE PARADE
One of the highlights of this event is the parade. Schools from different areas of the city prepares their dance number and costumes weeks before the Regada. Parades adds to the festive atmosphere with marching bands, colorful attires and even a song as they march along.
The colorful parade is just one reason to come and experience the Regada. A lot of work and effort has been made by each group showcasing tradition and culture.
Instruments which are unique as you could see here. PVC pipes in different sizes and hitting it with rubber sandals from the top makes a unique sound.
Used drums and empty soda bottles as drum sticks clearly promotes music from recyclable materials.
Here are the bamboo poles that was part of a previous contest. In which you could read more about from my previous post.
Road to the Water Festival
Elementary students with the photo of St. John the Baptist with an Ifugao theme.
Squids are abundant in our area and these group has made it their theme to showcase it.
This is the most colorful in what I have seen and also because of the whale that they added on the skirts. Could there be a Steemian behind this group?
Beautiful work on the costume with a great combination of blue and white. With a traditional hat this sure catches everyone's attention.
Pink umbrella and tu tu made from transparent plastic.
These guys are the most lively of them all with the logo of the Regada on their costumes. The logo was brought to life and the spirit was expressed by this group.
Dancing with our flat round woven basket called the Bilao.
CULTURE FASHION
The gay community in our city is not left out and has a fashion show on the streets. Flaunting their creations in colorful designs. Some of them are from our local beauty parlors and they are not only talented with hair design but costume design aswell. I was amazed by the details of their costumes using materials such as beads, shells, rubber sheets, cloth and plastic.
Another addition to our amazing event that adds life to the party. Much respect to our gay community and I love how they always seems to be happy and brings a smile to everyone.
I was surprised to see my hair stylist Trisha who maintains my hair and does an amazing work on hair rebonding.
See his work on my hair from last year.
New Year Hair Day
CHOOSE YOUR POISON
Local business puts out stalls outside for a free taste to promote alcoholic drinks which is a sure hit. People are already flocking to this stall to sample a free drink. Choose your poison in other words choose your drink of beer, whisky, gin, rhum, brandy, wine or even get yourself a cocktail mix. No bottles allowed if you would purchase one they would transfer it to plastic cups for the safety of the party goers.
I am not much of a drinker only on occasions. This is a perfect occasion to get the blood rushing with a little alcohol.
Sampled a brand of brandy which the girl was offering. I drank it straight and immediately I felt heat rush down to my stomach it was strong.
Next I was offered a whiskey cola mix which I loved and got myself a bottle. One bottle should do for now as I still have hours ahead of taking photos.
THE DOWNPOUR
Now we has some drink time to head towards the steam of people and experience the sprinklers and the fire hoses. These water pipes are set up three days prior to this event and closed the main road. This in return causes heavy traffic on the main road and vehicles are diverted to the inside roads. Early morning one of the posts get hit by one of the public transportation buses but immediately was fixed the same day.
The posts stretches for more than 100 meters starting from the church up to the market road area. This tradition started from 1996 and the word Regada comes from a Spanish word. Direct translation means irrigated but according from people it's meaning here is to sprinkle with water.
The main stage which is sponsored by the local government and mobile service providers. This is where the parade ends up and each group performs in front of this stage.
The flood of people headed to the end of the water sprinklers at the church. After that the crowd walks back again to the market area. If you are claustrophobic it is not advisable to join the crowd. I would be very hard to move around and you have no choice but to join in the flow where the crowd takes you.
Check out another video as we navigate thru the crowd.
Most of the people stops in areas with fire trucks to get a blast of water. The wetter you are the better and the people loves it.
This is me getting blasted by the fire hose. I think the fireman was specifically targeting me. How does a weather sealed camera fair against fire hoses or downpours? Any experiences?
From the top of a four story building safely watching the ongoing water frenzy. No fun in being up there all the fun is down here.
After more than an hour of walking around and partying. Needed to take off my glasses as it was getting hard to see with them with the constant barrage of water.
ENTERTAINMENT
Different stages are set up in front of business establishments. Each has own performances includes singing, dancing, live bands and contests. Everyone loves live entertainment and each stage attracts certain types of people. I prefer bands and there is no shortage of live bands here. In order to reach the stage you aim to see you would need to squeeze yourself thru the flood of people which would be a bit difficult. The front of the stages are already occupied especially when music starts to play.
A local rap performer hypes up the passersby and flocks to the stage.
A local rock band performs and the people are disciplined enough to not get the equipment wet. A rock vibe was in the air and perfect with a cup of beer.
The main stage has a line up of more popular performers. Although I am not familiar with new local music performers nowadays. The people seems to know the song and I felt a bit out of place.
FOOD
After all the walking you would get a bit hungry and there would be food stalls to get you a quick fill. Street food are very popular in our country and we have a lot to offer. They have rice meals, junk food, quick snacks, burgers, hotdogs and a lot more. You could buy from a near convenient store to ensure that your meal won't get wet. But buying from the streets are cheaper and would be quite an experience for some. Here are just some that we encountered while walking with the crowd.
This is not part of the food that we offer. I just happen to snap a photo of a goldfish vendor.
If you want a quick snack there are plenty of chips to choose from.
These are the local fried delicacies which are very popular.
Lower left - Deep friend chicken intestines
Lower right - Fried chicken neck
Upper left - Street calamari
Upper right - Deep fried liver
All best dipped in spicy vinegar or sweet, spicy special sauce.
Steamed corn is also a favorite for the crowd.
This is what we call Siomai which is our local version of dumpling.
Then we have the Banana Que which is coated with brown sugar and deep fried.
SOAPING AROUND
You might be wondering why there are a lot of people with soap on their hands. Rubbing their hands together to make it more bubbly. This is a very common scene at the Regada and no one seems to know how this practice started. Just to explain further these soapy hands are rubbed to faces of passersby who are attractive to them. I am not sure if it has worked for anyone in getting a relationship out of it but it is one way for them to touch the face of people that they find attractive. Sometimes kids tends to be a little aggressive which leads to angry people. But just remember it is just a playful gesture and be proud if your face gets rubbed with soap.
These are the highlights of our water festival Regada. I hope I was able to take you with us on this fun and exciting event. The music has died down and the streets are clear now but today was another unforgettable experience and I am glad that I was able to share it here only at Steemit.
Next year if anyone would like to visit and experience the biggest wet party in the country. Just let me know maybe we'll have our own group roaming the streets partying next year. Cheers!
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All photos are original and taken with
Canon PowerShot D20
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Canon PowerShot D20