Padul Ong: A Cathartic Cultural Spectacle
Greetings, or should I say, "Maupay nga patron!" Welcome back to the LAUVRE.
For today's exhibit, I want to take you on a trip and experience Borongan City's annial celebration of history, culture and faith. Get ready to see The Land of the Golden Sunrise as it beam in all its color through Padul ong Festival 2023!
As an homage to Boronganons' Patroness Nuestra Señora de la Natividad, Borongan City celebrates the Padul-ong Festival every 8th day of September with a week-long variety of activities. According to Festivalscape (2022), Padul ong Festival is deeply rooted with Waraynons' history and religion. Padul-ong in Waray-waray means to transport or deliver, a reflection of how the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary was inexplicably transported to the island from Portugal. Legend has it that a woman had the sacred image in a box as her luggage in her expedition form Portugal to the Philippines. However, the woman died during the voyage while her box arrived at Punta Maria in Samar to reveal the image to the townspeople.
The tale was later connected by the natives to the Lady in White who would frequently appear in the Hamorawon springs, but would suddenly disappear once noticed by people. Afterwards, the waters of Hamorawon started to possess miraculous healing properties. The Lady in White's "magical disappearance" matched with her remarkable fragrance, led the townspeople to believe that she is behind all the miracles happening in the locality. A collective decision was made to transport the image of the Virgin Mary to Borongan.
This feast consists of a variety of activities and this is my third time to experience them firsthand. I first saw Padul Ong Festival way back 2019, pre-pandemic in all its glory. It became dormant during the peak of COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021 wherein activities were restricted. 2022's celebration, which was the 30th staging of the feast, marked as the formal comeback of the celebration. And, this year, I saw more development when it comes to the events, participants, and overall vibe of the poblacion.
It made me ecstatic seeing the city come alive. Though I was not able to attend to all the activities since our home is a 20-minute ride away from the "sawang", I am still in awe as I saw glimpses of the energy of the fiesta.
On September 2nd, my siblings, my cousins and me went on an unplanned visit to the "peryahan". The place was crowded with adrenaline from familiar faces and strangers. The rides look overwhelming, like the ferris wheel and the vikings. It's not my first time to see them, it's just amazing how they mount these and thoroughly assure people about their safety without sacrificing the fun.
We first rode the ferris wheel, which was my first time in years now. I shared my cart with a stranger who was very audible and vocal with his nerves. It kind of ruined the mood for me, but he lowkey made me laugh which lessened my nerves, too. Well, what can I say? We have different coping strategies, I guess.
We also tried their horror train, a not-so fitting name for the ride. I know I might sound bitter and kill-joy with the way I'm wording these phrases but it wasn't really giving horror. It was more of a stressful-schock train. Nonetheless, I still enjoyed every bit of scream and giggle I had.
The spontaeneous short trip was well worth our money. And, we'll never get to see those rides again maybe till next year so why not just enjoy.
Aside from the feast day itself, considered highlight of the celebration is the "Vesper day". Ever since my first experience in 2019, I have always made it a teeny-tiny tradition for myself to experience the series of events on September 7 in person. It is commenced by the traditional fluvial procession of the sacred image of the Blessed Virgin Mary after an early-morning mass in Punta Maria to the Rawis Port, a clear representation of the legend. Then, participating high schools take to the streets for a colorful dance parade that fills the poblacion with energy. Afterwards, the highly-anticipated contest of fhe reenactment exhibition of the tale happens at the City Town Plaza. This year, there were only three participating schools: Sta. Fe National High School, my junior high school Maypangdan National High school, and my alma mater Eastern Samar National Comprehensive High School. During the pre-pandemic contests, there were more than dive competing schools, but considering the dormancy from last year, the number of contestants this year is still a major upgrade.
I went to the City Plaza early on the morning of September 7 to excitingly watch the happenings. I also invited Crista, my classmate, to join me like a way to baptise her with how magical the festival is since she is new in Borongan. I also met some old schoolmates from MNHS and ESNCHS which brought pure joy to me. I was gagged with all the performances, seeing them dance with passion and emotion as they pay homage to the Patroness. The festivity was well represented with every unique story telling from each performance. SFNHS deservingly won first place but I just tend to lean towards MNHS because of my attachments with some of the performers whom I see as role models and friends. Even after they graduated high school and even if some of them are not of the same religion, they still dedicate their time and effort for their love of dance and contribution to the local culture.
Aside from this, I am also proud to see school publications that I had been, and is currently part of, being a medium to tell stories of common folks who may come unknowingly but play such vital roles in the success of the event. I also saw a lot of foreign tourists and even settlers who were enjoying the fiesta. Padul-ong Festival became a unifying force for people of different walks of life, age, color, social status, religion, and background to just have fun and celebrate culture and devotion.
On September 8th, the day of the fiesta which also falls on what is considered as Mama Mary's birthday, I was luckily invitied by my Grade 12 classmates to celebrate with them in their homes. As their class president, who am I to say no? Thank you Cha-Cha ang Angelica for joining me that day! And to Mariel, Ate Deanne, Andrew, Ian, and Carl, thanks for the food and the invites!
Upon writing this entry, I realized how much of a cathartic experience it is for the City of Borongan to celebrate Padul Ong Festival this year. I know that might sound too exaggerated, but I can't seem to find any better word to explain it. I am delighted to see that our culture and arts are well preserved in the youth. The spectacles invite foreign people into our city which provide them an expedition of a lifetime. It doesn't matter if you believe in the tales, or if you have the same beliefs. We are doing this for the fun, the faith, the culture, and the future. May we continue to show the world our identity and hug visitors with our hospitality. We are starting to reclaim the joys that the pademic took away from us. The success of this year just makes me more excited for what's to come for the future Padul Ong Festival Celebrations. And I hope, by that time, you're all still with me.
Padul-ong Festival is a religious festival in Borongan City in the province of Eastern Samar, Philippines held every September 8th. A weeks-
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