Once a year in every town there is a fiesta dedicated to it's patron saint. In Pateros' case this is Saint Martha. This celebration immigrated here with the people and every July there is a gathering of Flip families in a park basically to eat, and play (though there is a little religion thrown in too). This year it was held for the first time at Regina Mundi Retreat Centre near Newmarket (instead of it's old location at Seton Park).
It begins with a mass, and is followed by a procession carrying---actually, dancing---an image of the saint around the park as candies and coins are hurled at assuming and unassuming passersby. This is followed by gluttony and a myriad of silly games.
Not being big on religion, silly games, and family events (classic Bah Humbug Syndrome) I don't usually go to these things, but as I've been away from the country for the last couple of years, I figured I should go to show family and family friends that I am still alive. ...Hey it wasn't that bad I had a camera, and I brought toys to play with... :) |
