50th PARADA ng LECHON: Balayan Fiesta

The STI College Olympians

During the time of the Spanish regimes, an old custom was passed on from generation to generation as the once poor and depressed areas of Balayan would honor their patron saint in a form thanksgiving. During that time, the best form of showing your thanks was parading lechon in the town plaza as a form of thanks to St. John de Baptist whose feast day is commemorated every June 24. As years passed, the once poor town of Balayan had more people become more successful which eventually translated into more thanksgiving and more lechon parading.

My Allstars Ge-ann, Rynee and Kath

In 1959 the elders of the kanluran district of Balayan organized the Brotherhood of St. John the Baptist which was tasked to oversee the celebration which eventually became known as the Parada ng Lechon sa Balayan Batangas. Because of the entry of the brotherhood into the fold, the simple thanksgiving was revolutionalized and the once one day event became a two week celebration with the parade as the culminating activity. As years passed a lot of people came to know the event and even became a national fixture as television networks would visit and cover the event. This year, the Parade celebrated its 50th anniversiary with a grand one week celebration with the "Parada ng lechon" as the culminating activity.

Olympians rejoice

A decade ago I remember watching the news and was quite amazed by the wonderful celebration since I saw the roasted pigs being paraded in various ways. Most of the roasted pigs wore clothes depending on whose group was parading. I remember the Lechon being dressed as a Policeman or even an Old lady and one time dressed as transformers. What they wear depends on the theme that year. I was intrigued on what happened and was hoping I would be able to grace the occassion one day.

Fiesta Galore

One of the perks of being the Events manager of the STI Education Serviecs groups is that a lot of STI branches invite you to their various events. I was so happy six years ago when I got invited to this annual merry making. Walking the streets of Balayan together with the STI College Balayan community was really an experience that is undescribable. I may have talked about it to many people but being there and being thrown water at and drenched under extreme heat and once under the rain was an experience one wont forget. I am happy that the invitation this year was also extended to our STI COllege Olympians Seniors and Juniors teams. They themselves were very happy with the experience.

Fiesta Galore also

To our gracious hosts, Paolo and Kristy Dimaano, we thank you for your generosity. STI is happy that partners like you are very succesful. Like what the parade stands for, we wish you more blessings so that your participation in more lechon parades would be thanksgiving for the yearly growth of STI College Balayan. Hope we get to be invited again next year. Viva San Juan de Bautista!