I live in a country where most people are Catholics. The Spanish colonization in the Philippines that lasted for hundreds of years is highly responsible for making most Filipinos as Catholics. Much of the beliefs, principles and way of life of Filipinos were highly influenced by the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Though hundreds of years have passed, the Catholic way of life is still evident among Filipinos. A lot of the places in the Philippines have been named after saints. The usual practice was a town or a city will be named after the name of the saint whose feast day coincides with the place's inauguration date. Aside from saints, some towns in the Philippines were named after places in Spain. So if by chance some of my dear followers visit the Philippines, expect that most places are bearing Spanish names.

Aside from names, feasts and celebrations are another tradition we inherited from the Spaniards. Each town in the Philippines has its own fiesta or feast day. Towns that were named after a saint have their fiesta during their saint's feast day.  During the fiesta, the local government spearheads themed parades, programs and each house has overflowing food. It's like Christmas for a day in a specific town. Today, fiestas are seldom observed in the city. Fiestas are more evident in provinces and suburban areas such as in Marikina, my hometown.

Last Tuesday, Anna invited me to their family's house because it's their town's feast day. Though I am deprived of sleep and tired of checking papers, I dropped by Anna's place to join the celebration. A typical home celebrating the fiesta has this

 Food!

I failed to make a close up shot to each food because I was starving when I arrived at Anna's place. :) My mind tells me one thing,  EAT NOW!

We Filipinos are used to heavy meals. Our staple food is rice paired with a viand made of pork, chicken or vegetable. Most Filipinos can't say that a meal is full unless it has rice. Some can't even last a day without any rice intake. Aside from rice, there should be dessert during fiestas. And dessert should be something that is cooked or baked.

When all the food is there, what comes next?

Friends and stories!

 
Anna's house is so modern and elegant. Their house was renovated two years ago and I just love its architecture and interiors.   I wanted to take pictures of their place but they have a lot of guests. By the time their house is free, I was all tired and sleepy. ;-)

Today is Sunday and as I am writing this post, I still have a lot of things to do. Check papers, record the scores of my students and that one big research that will determine my fate. I hope everyone has a more relaxed Sunday. Wishing everyone a great week ahead!