paluang palayok

Paluang palayok is one of the parlor games played during fiesta celebration... played by children but some adults also play this for fun. The rule of the game is similar to that of piñata, except that instead of a piñata, you have to break the clay pot or the palayok.

The palayok is usually filled with candies, coins, and flour. Why include flour?... it serves as an addition to fun because the player who cracks the pot get showered by the flour and instantly turn into a "ghost". A contestant is blindfolded and a guide will direct the player on the direction and how high is the pot. No limit of contestants here as long as the pot is not broken, kids can line up to have the chance in breaking the pot. Coaching is allowed but sometimes you just have to trust your feet and your instincts because some of the "coach" actually mislead the player. Once the pot is broken, kids immediately try to grab some candies and coins, and the winner gets his prize.

The kid in the photo is my nephew and he just smashed that pot right after this shot to the amazement of everybody. We we're so proud of him cause he hit the pot even though there were about 10 or more kids bigger than him that tried.

fiesta!

This is my answer to all those who were curious as to what is the "white paper" seen from my room from yesterdays post ... olivier was correct in guessing that it has soemthing to do about a festival. Actually those white pieces stringed is not a paper but plastic, a common material we used in making the banderitas (small flags) to decorate our streets during the fiesta celebration.

Fiesta is a spanish word, but is considered as a filipino term in celebrating the feast of the patron saint in each town or barangay... and fiesta is part of the filipino lifestyle, a part and parcel of the filipino culture. Through good times and bad times, the fiesta must go on.

The usual preparation for the feast starts about a week before the actual day, all the residents including children help in preparing these banderitas/small flags weeks before, then the men of the town helped in putting up the banderitas and lights in the street. Why a week? Cause usually there is an "amateur" contest... a stage set up in the center of town and every night conduct a sing and dance contest. You can watch it for free since the prizes to be given were already solicited prior to the event.

On the fiesta day itself, there would be bands stolling the streets performing for the the people. And lots of parlor games are in store for the kids, in our area there is an anual 100km bike race. The celebration varies from town to town but all are colorful and gay... but the highlight of the event is the procession of the patron saint at night.

Ok, you're wondering what is the "girl" doing in the picture... all fiestas have ati atihan performers aside from the bands and this gay person performs as a fire eater in exchange for a few pesos. Here's the list of the famous festivals throughout the Philippines.