Sariaya aims to make Agawan fest more holistic

LIKE other summertime feasts, Sariaya's annual Agawan festival

promises to be another fun event. But Sariayahins want to make

a difference when the three-day festival kicks off this Thursday.

''Fiestas have become so commercialized,'' laments Fr. Raul

Enriquez, the town's assistant parish priest. ''We want to make

ours more holistic by turning it into a cultural, historical and

spiritual activity.''

Fr. Enriquez and his team did extensive research on various

festivals for several years. The Franciscan priest and Sariaya

native is the fiesta's overall coordinator.

He's one holy man who isn't confined to the pulpit. Fr. Enriquez

also spends time with teenagers and village folks to feel their

pulse. Indeed, with his braided hair and dark shades, the

good-looking priest could pass off as an aging rocker.

Aside from getting valuable tips from his research, Fr. Enriquez

believes he was able to avoid a number of problems which now

undermine other events. As long as he's in charge, he vows,

even politicos and multinational companies with hidden

agendas must toe the line.

''Some people will overspend and get drunk,'' he admits. ''But

these evils will be lessened as long as it's a God-centered

celebration.''

This year's Agawan has gained more significance since the

town by the foot of Mt. Banahaw was founded by fellow

Franciscans exactly 400 years ago.

Monthly events began late last year and will end until the year

2000. For inquiries, call Cristina Decal (843-7861 loc. 288) or

Arlene Palabrica ([042] 525-8450, [042] 525-8489).

Cynics may dismiss this as an attempt to eclipse other

municipalities in Quezon. After all, towns such as Lucban,

Tayabas and Gumaca are also celebrating their respective

fiestas in May.

Lucban, for instance, has become famous for its Pahiyas

festival. But unknown to many, almost every town in Quezon

has its own version of Pahiyas. Sariaya is said to be one of the

first towns to display sheets of colorful rice wafers called kiping.

And since Quezon is an agricultural province, many towns,

including Sariaya, are honoring San Isidro Labrador, patron

saint of farmers and laborers.

Sariayahins have no intentions to steal the thunder from

anybody, claims Fr. Enriquez. Their main purpose, aside from

coming up with a more meaningful fiesta, is to restore the town's

lost glory.

Sariaya used to be famous for Agawan, but due to neglect and

lack of promotion it was soon surpassed by celebrations cooked

up by other towns and cities.

Happy pandemonium

''There's unity in diversity,'' says Fr. Enriquez. ''There are also

many ways of honoring God through San Isidro Labrador.''

Aside from the sights and sounds generated by usual festivals,

Agawan, as its name implies, promises to be an interactive affair

for both believers and pagans.

The town's produce such as fruits, vegetables and other

delicacies are attached to the branches of young bamboo trees

called bagakay.

They line up the streets untouched for hours until the image of

San Isidro Labrador passes by. Homeowners let the trees fall

one by one to an eager crowd who loses no time picking out the

trimmings.

''It's a happy pandemonium,'' Fr. Enriquez gushes, ''as people

scramble for the Lord's blessings.''

Some add their goodies to the banquet table, while others,

especially farmers, save them for a different purpose. They dry,

mince and toss them back to the field with hopes and prayers

for a bountiful harvest.

Fr. Enriquez credits simple people, more than the town's landed

aristocrats, for the success of this year's celebration. Their

kindness and generosity have never failed to touch his heart.

If it weren't for farmers, for instance, people will have nothing to

adorn their bagakay. In the spirit of bayanihan, many donated

excess coconuts, bananas and various vegetables.

Hundreds of teachers and young people have volunteered their

services for free. Some will be attending to guests garbed in

Filipiniana finery. Others have been tasked to sell the town's

native treats such as pastillas, mazapan, broas, apaz,

pinagong, pianono and hacobina.

''Sharing whatever we have is a form of thanksgiving,'' says Fr.

Enriquez. ''Holding a feast is a way of thanking God.''

Other attractions

If two or more people are gathered in God's name, can the devil,

in the form of crass commercialism, be far behind? Fr. Enriquez

promises to regulate these age-old ills.

Manila-based companies and fastfood restaurants selling their

goods will be limited. Even banderitas emblazoned with

sponsors' names and logos are said to be confined within

certain areas.

The Agawan festival may be the featured event, but there are

other attractions worth seeing. Thursday night, for instance, will

end with the search for Ulirang Mag-Ina ng Sariaya.

Contestants won't be judged by their looks and number of

tickets sold. Instead, says Fr. Enriquez, a panel of judges will

look into their backgrounds and community involvement.

Food festival, photo exhibit, cultural and variety shows have

been lined up on Friday. Numerous booths will be selling the

town's products. A mini museum will provide a glimpse of its

rich culture and history.

If they still have enough energy left, guests can visit Sariaya's

scenic beaches, farms and huge ancestral homes. The 250-year

old St. Francis of Assisi Church features an intricate tableaux of

sacred and miraculous images.

Saturday starts with a parade of carabao-drawn paragus and

kariton. Street-dancing by a group of taong bagakay follows.

To lessen, perhaps, the crowd's rowdy behavior, a holy Mass

and procession will precede the actual agawan.

Just in case, reminds Fr. Enriquez, it's best people bring with

them a huge sack. A small plastic bag may not be enough to

contain all those blessings.