February 9, 2013

Fiesta na pud sa Bula! Viva Senor!




Breaking Dawn @Sarangani Bay

Taga Bula, gyud ko. Ang akong ginikanan dinhi na nagpuyo sa Bula tong gipanganak ko. Dinhi na ko nagdako, ug nag eskwela sa akong elementary. I have lived here until the age of 16. When I entered college, I left Gen. Santos City. For about 6 years I missed the fiesta. After I graduated and work elsewhere, I always make sure that I am always present during fiesta time.

 the "amphibian" which transports the Sto. Nino from land to water
the "official" ride

Sa tibuok Gen. Santos, South Cotabao og Sarangani, well known kaayo ang fiesta sa Bula. Pag fiesta sa BULA, HABHAB na pud! Siguro kini na lang lugar ang gacelebrate og fiesta as a community. Meaning tanan gyud may handa. Even big industries cooperate, especially ang fishing, it seems that all fish boats come home to participate in the fluvial procession. Kaya today, super expensive ang isda. If you'd like to makifiesta, but do not know anyone in Bula, go to the Church. Open house doon. Kahit sino, ok lang. If you have the guts, you can also just enter any one's house, especially the big ones owned by fishing magnates :)
 
For us, this is thanksgiving. It is a time to give back the blessings our family received in previous year. Si madir, toxic kaayo, making sure that everything is ready for countless people who will drop by to have a meal. Everyone is welcome. No invitation is needed. Ang uban dili man makuntento sa kaon, harapharapan pa gyud mamutos. From 10 am to about 8 pm sunod sunod and abot sa tawo. Malipay man pud ta kay kahinumdum sila. And grabe pud ang ilang hardship just to get to our place. Streets are filled with people, kaya hirap ang tricycle sa pagsulod. At the end of the day, we are very tired. Sakit sa tiil ug ulo. But we are always thankful that people came. We are glad that we were able to feed a lot and we are hoping for another year full of blessings. And always looking forward for the next year's fiesta.


quick tip:

The Bula Patronal Fiesta in honor of Senor Sto. Nino is celebrated every 15th of January. A day before, there is a procession in the barangay at dusk. The fluvial procession is on the 15th after the 5am mass. If you want to join the fluvial procession, you have to know someone who owns or at least works for a fishing vessel. Or you can just line up very very early at zone 5 or lions beach and hitch a boat ride. Or you can rent a boat :) (there are caucasians I saw doing this). Or you can contact me, and let's see what I can do haha...no promises though...If all fail, join the mass and dancing all day long at the Church....I tell you it is a different experience....

all pictures are circa 2010

updating 2013



If I have to enumerate the reasons of not updating this blog, probably it would be a long list .To summarize, take a look below:




I was too caught up with the season, including the drama that went with it....Happily, as we are celebrating the Chinese New Year, I get inspired to go on.....new year...new beginning....Good Luck to Meeeeee!