By J. Jala | 03:46 PM May 01, 2020
The month of May is particularly looked forward to as the fiesta month since a town or chapel celebrates a feast day, every day of the month.
But with the COVID-19 crisis, everything, including fiesta, must adopt to new normal.
Today, May 1, marks the opening of Bohol fiesta month.
For Boholanos, this starts the merry month of May wherein everyday is fiesta in all parts of Bohol.
It is characterized by abundance of food and drink as a thanksgiving for their patron saint.
Instead of the usual fanfare and gatherings over food, the feast of St. Joseph the Worker is unusually spent in an intimate family meal.
Tagbilaran resident Gilbert Sarabia just bought two kilos of pork from the market for Friday’s fiesta.
Sarabia could not buy a lechon (roasted pig) compared to last year’s fiesta.
“Lisud kaayo karun panahuna,” he acknowledged, with a deep breath.
He said life was hard since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.”Naa lay handa gamay. Among pasalamat kang sa Ginoo, kang Señor San Jose nga gipanalipdan ta kanunay,” he said.
Unlike the previous fiestas that he had visitors and friends, this time, the fiesta is exclusively for family.”Wala lang mi man-imbitar kay bawal ang magtapok karung panahuna,” he said.
May 1 also starts the implementation of the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) in the province.
The city government of Tagbilaran closed its borders on Friday to prevent people from other towns to come to the city.Malls are also closed to avoid mass gatherings.
On his Facebook page, Mayor Baba Yap said only frontliners are welcomed to Tagbilaran on Friday.
This year’s Saulog Festival in Tagbilaran was cancelled due to the coronavirus to the disappointment to many people.
The festival was supposed to attract hundreds of tourists, providing income for hotels, restaurants, fair exhibitors, among others.
While tourism was not in good shape, cancellation remained a better option in the wake of COVID-19.
The pandemic continues to cripple all walks of life.CPG Avenue is almost empty with a few vehicles roaming around the city.
There are no colorful bannerettes and buntings that usually characterize the annual event.Churches are also closed.
Even the St. Joseph the Worker Cathedral is closed on Friday for the feast day.
Private masses are held though.
But Jennifer Agta went to the cathedral to light candle and pray for St. Joseph.
She said that even the church is empty because of the coronavirus, her faith remains.
People are feeling loss all around the world. Of family, of health, of certainty. And celebrating fiesta is one of the things you can’t control.
